Our popular ‘Yesterdays’ feature takes us back to what could have been one of the darkest days in the Owls’ long and distinguished history.
The date was 29 April 1976 and the occasion quite simple – Wednesday were staring directly down the barrel of a maiden relegation into the bottom tier of English football.
Fellow strugglers Southend stood between happiness or heartache and thankfully, the former swelled the S6 air come the final whistle.
In a winner take all shootout, the Owls triumphed 2-1 to preserve their old Third Division status in front of by far their highest attendance of the season – 25, 802 – and condemn the Shrimpers to demotion.
Goals from the late Mick Prendergast (pictured) and Eric Potts secured the most iconic of victories and the relief around Hillsborough was tangible.