A hugely entertaining book on arguably the most remarkable player ever associated with the Owls is on sale now!
‘Flying Over an Olive Grove’ charts the chequered tale of Fred Spiksley, who joined Wednesday in 1891 and helped the club progress into league football the following year.
Spiksley, with the future Queen of England chasing him down the touchline, was the first player to score three goals against Scotland in 1893 and in seven England international appearances remained unbeaten.
In 1896 he guided Wednesday to FA Cup glory, scoring both goals in the 2-1 defeat of Wolves in the final.
When the club moved from Olive Grove to Hillsborough, it was Fred that scored Wednesday’s first goal at our new home and in 1903, he was one of the stars as the Owls claimed their maiden league title.
Injury forced Fred to retire and this was followed by a spell on stage alongside the great Charlie Chaplin, no less!
Spiksley then became the first man to coach on three continents with spells in Sweden, USA, Peru, Mexico and Germany, where in 1914 he tricked his way out of prison when the war started.
An addicted gambler and womaniser, Spiksley’s character meant he was not always the hero off the pitch as he was on it!
The book brings Fred’s remarkable life to a new audience and contains a superb collection of images, including the earliest known action photographs from an FA Cup final.
For more on the story of Spiksley, view this piece from Calendar TV by CLICKING HERE
‘Flying Over an Olive Grove’ is on sale now at the Owls Megastore and the Sheffield Wednesday Online Shop