Chelters

Saturday 27 November 1993 FA Carling Premiership Manchester City (away) The Owls travelled to Manchester to take on a City side who were far from the force they are these days, struggling in the bottom half and under the managership of the never popular Brian Horton. Wednesday, for their part, had picked up a bit after their poor start to the season but still needed some wins to allow them to start climbing the table. Mark Bright was back from suspension and immediately resumed duties up from alongside Nigel Jemson, with the midweek two-goal hero Gordon Watson dropping out of the squad, presumably linked to the flu bug that he was struggling with. City, for their part, started with a pairing of Niall Quinn and Mike Sheron up front, and future Blade Keith Curle in defence. The first half was relatively quiet but with a couple of good chances for either side. The returning Bright fluffed a shot early on, and was then denied by a double save by Tony Coton : the first shot was saved before City defender Alan Kernaghan deflected the ball goalwards, but the City custodian was able to scramble back and save on the line. In between those two chances, Andy Sinton had been caught by Michel Vonk and was eventually forced off for the second game running. Wednesday almost gifted City the lead midway through the half when Kevin Pressman was caught trying to dribble the ball out but Quinn was unable to convert the resulting open goal. The first half subsequently ended goalless. The second half was a completely different story though, and 20 minutes after the restart the Owls took the lead. Chris Waddle played a high ball into the box for Bright, who knocked it down for Ryan Jones to hold off two defenders and finish past Coton, at which point the home fans immediately started to turn. This was the start of a great spell by Wednesday and a few minutes later they doubled their lead. Chris Bart-Williams (who had come on for Sinton) embarked on a fantastic solo run that saw him leave two City defenders, then Coton, in his wake, before passing the ball towards the empty net – only for Jones to rush in and knock the ball in on the line for a great piece of goal stealing, probably denying Bartman the goal of his career to date. With six minutes to go it was three, and deservedly so. Roland Nilsson worked the ball to Graham Hyde on the right, and his cross was headed home confidently by Jemson for his fourth of the season. City got a goal back straight away when Sheron cut in from the left and finished well. Despite a late scare when Jones cleared another Sheron effort on the line, there was no doubt as to the outcome. The win lifted the Owls to 14th in the table as the hosts continued to sink downwards, and was their third away win in a row at Manchester City. What odds that we will ever do that again? Final score : Man City 1-3 Wednesday Man City : Coton, Vonk, Phelan, Curle, Kernaghan, Lomas, Simpson, McMahon, Sheron, Quinn (Mike 45). Unused subs : Brightwell, Margetson. Wednesday : Pressman, Nilsson, Worthington, Palmer, Walker, Waddle, Sinton (Bart-Williams 24), Hyde, Jones, Jemson, Bright. Unused subs : Poric, Key Attendance : 23,416

What was Iorfa doing on the second goal? Easy offside if he was holding the line with the rest of the defence. Also on the first goal Famewo is held back from going to block the shot but not the kind of thing you normally see given.

Wednesday 24 November 1993 FA Carling Premiership Oldham Athletic (home) If the previous game against Coventry have been played in chilly conditions, this one was positively Arctic as Wednesday took on struggling Oldham at a snow-bound Hillsborough. The Owls had risen slightly to 17th in the table whilst their visitors languished at second from bottom, with only Swindon propping them up. However, both of their wins so far this season had come away from home. It’s fair to say that, after getting promoted together in 1991, the two sides’ fortunes had diverged as the Owls went from strength to strength whilst the Latics found themselves in a battle to stay in the Premiership, only surviving on goal difference the previous season. They were still managed by promotion-winning boss Joe Royle, and maintained a good base of the players who had got them promoted. Wednesday were able to welcome Chris Bart-Williams back to the bench and recalled Gordon Watson to the starting lineup. However, Michael Williams had suffered a nasty leg fracture in a reserve match and would be missing for several months. Watson was playing despite suffering from a flu bug and joined Nigel Jemson up front in what seemed very much like the ‘reserve’ strike partnership. But it was a partnership that proved to be handy enough for this match…. Wednesday took the lead after just 7 minutes : Andy Sinton hit a swerving shot that smashed against the post and Watson was there to put away the rebound. Oldham did not let the bad start get to them too much and created a couple of chances, the best of them seeing Kevin Pressman pull off a brilliant save from Graeme Sharp. But the Owls doubled their lead on 32 minutes : Ryan Jones played Watson through and his first effort was blocked, but Mike Milligan and keeper Gary Walsh made a hash of things and Watson was able to tuck away his second. Sinton unfortunately had to go off injured just before half-time, and the visitors suffered a similar issue when Milligan went off shortly after the break. It was soon 3-0 as Jones intercepted Oldham’s attempt to play out from the back and crossed for Jemson to head home at the far post. Wednesday were able to see out the rest of the game without too much trouble. Pressman had to be on his toes to save a couple of efforts from Paul Bernard, but the Owls were close to a fourth when Richard Jobson had to make a goal-line clearance from Watson. Whilst this was only the third win of the season, Wednesday had now gone 9 games unbeaten in all competitions and things were definitely starting to look up a bit, with a trip to Maine Road up next. Final score : Wednesday 3-0 Oldham Wednesday : Pressman, Nilsson, Worthington, Walker, Pearce (Hyde 45), Waddle, Sinton (Bart-Williams 43), Palmer, Jones, Watson, Jemson. Unused sub : Key Oldham : Walsh, Halle, Fleming, Jobson, Redmond, Eyre (Makin 45), Adams, Milligan (Beresford 52), Bernard, Ritchie, Sharp. Unused sub : Hallworth Attendance : 18,509

Is it just me or is the tone of how they have reported this quite muted compared to if it had been us?

Aaah accounting jokes. After all these years this forum has finally peaked.

Problem is mk put a debit and credit in the explanation so he’s fucked in terms of understanding it.

So our recruitment over the summer was dreadful but our head of recruitment leaving is the end of the world? Am I missing something?

It’s better than where they were before, I’ll give them that. The main thing that grates with me is the contradiction between some of the statements and accusations in the first bit and the request to be respectful (which is spot on).

Chris Marsden was number 26 as well in 04/05, looking like that’s when it’s from. 18 would be Jon Shaw if early in the season.

Well if it was blank it would be worth more than that for the materials alone. So with an SWFC crest and autographs….yeah about £2

One of my work colleagues picked this up in a charity shop. I can’t tell who any of the signatures are and therefore which year it’s from. Off we go

I realised after writing this one up that I was a week early due to an international break but I thought I’d just get it posted up anyway…. Saturday 20 November 1993 FA Carling Premiership Coventry City (home) After the performance of the season so far at Ipswich, and a determined victory in the League Cup against Middlesbrough, the Owls looked to keep their decent run of form going. However, mid-table Coventry were not exactly the ideal opposition as they were a bit of bogey side for Wednesday, being one of only two teams who had done the double the previous season and having frustrated the Owls a number of times over recent years. Wednesday were still somewhat depleted and started the game with only one recognised striker in the eleven, Nigel Jemson. For the first time this season, Trevor Francis therefore named himself on the bench at the ripe old age of 39. The visitors were managed by Phil Neal, and included in their ranks future Owls Peter Atherton and Chris Marsden. Wednesday started the match brightly with Andy Pearce inches away from connecting with Jemson's cross shot, denying him a goal against his former club. Ryan Jones and Andy Sinton were off target before Chris Waddle had a disappointingly tame shot saved by former Hillsborough scorer Steve Ogrizovic. The game then swung Coventry's way with Micky Quinn heading against the bar, then fluffing another header from Willie Boland's centre. Tricky winger (and future Blade) Peter Ndlovu skilfully worked a chance but then fired over. Wednesday finished the first half in the ascendancy but still failed to create anything really clear cut. Into the second half, the visitors had the first chance with Phil Babb heading just wide. Wednesday huffed and puffed, with Waddle always busy and firing a free kick over, before creating a chance for Carlton Palmer that flew wide. Mid-way through the half Francis brought himself on in an effort to break the deadlock, but somewhat frustratingly in a like-for-like substitution for Jemson. There were a couple more chances from a Jones header and Waddle free-kick, but there was an air of inevitably as the clock ticked down with no goals appearing on the horizon. It was to prove the last ever appearance of Francis's career, what a player he was and we were lucky to have seen him grace the Hillsborough turf. RIP Trev. So it was another frustrating day against the Sky Blues, and a bit of a case of 'after the lord mayor's show' after the Ipswich display. Final score : Wednesday 0-0 Coventry Wednesday : Pressman, Nilsson, Worthington, Pearce, Walker, Waddle, Sinton, Hyde, Jones, Jemson (Francis 66), Palmer. Unused subs : Poric, Key Coventry : Ogrizovic, Borrows, Morgan, Rennie, Babb, Boland, Ndlovu, Flynn, McGrath (Atherton 83), Williams, Quinn. Unused subs : Marsden, Gould Attendance : 23,379

I think we have to accept that this season is a write off. We have wasted a good promotion but not the end of the world, we just have to dig in and go again.

Wednesday 10 November 1993 Coca Cola Cup 3rd Round Replay Middlesbrough (home) Having relied on a late equaliser from Carlton Palmer to keep them in the competition two weeks previously, the Owls now looked to finish the job against their First Division opponents. Wednesday made two changes to the team that had won convincingly at Ipswich, with Michael Williams in for Roland Nilsson at right back, and Gordon Watson recalled to replace the suspended Mark Bright up front. For their part, Boro were fielding a young line up, but one that had given a good account of themselves in the first game. The draw for the fourth round had already taken place, and the winners of this tie knew they would be lining up against Queens Park Rangers - a game that their former manager Trevor Francis would probably look forward to, having left them under a bit of a cloud. Wednesday looked like they were going to make it a comfortable night as they went ahead after just 15 minutes. Nigel Jemson won a high ball and his strike partner Watson nipped in to lift the ball over Steve Pears in the visitors' goal. However, Boro hit back quickly, and it was two future Owls who did the damage as Graham Kavanagh found space in the area to shoot, Pressman saved but Robbie Mustoe was there to tap it in. Wednesday dominated possession for the rest of the half but struggled to create clear chances, with Carlton Palmer and Andy Sinton both having efforts off target. Into the second half and the Owls continued to have most of the play, creating several chances but not being able to get that vital goal. Jones, Sinton, Watson and Waddle all had decent efforts but were either off target or were denied by Pears. With two minutes to go, the youthful visitors could and should have snatched it as Craig Hignett ran through but put his effort off target. And so the game went into extra time, with penalties looming if no winner could be found (the first season that this was the case in this competition). Wednesday continued to have the play and the chances but looked like they weren't going to make the breakthrough as the game entered the final five minutes. Then Sinton put in a curling cross and it was that man Palmer who stuck a left foot volley into the bottom corner for his fourth goal in five games. Sub Adem Poric nearly sealed it with a powerful effort but no further goals were needed to see the Owls through in what had been a tough tie. Final score : Wednesday 2-1 Middlesbrough Wednesday : Pressman, Williams (Poric 112), Worthington, Pearce, Walker, Waddle, Sinton, Palmer, Jones, Watson (Hyde 90), Jemson. Unused sub : Key Middlesbrough : Pears, Fleming, Liburd, Mohan, Barron, Hignett, Moore, Peake, Mustoe, Stamp, Kavanagh (Illman 75), Unused subs : Oliver, Collett Attendance : 19,428

That’s the bit that always gets me about this. It cost us at least a point but nothing happens about that. I’m not saying you should replay the game but some sort of acknowledgement would be nice.

He’s still with us, 85 tomorrow and the reason I’m a Wednesdayite.

Saturday 6 November 1993 FA Carling Premiership Ipswich Town (away) Still languishing towards the bottom of the table, Wednesday embarked on the long trip to Suffolk hoping for a first away win since March. The hosts had had an OK start to the season but were in the bottom half, so there did seem a chance for Wednesday to get that elusive second win of the season. The Owls were unchanged from the home draw with Leeds, meaning Nigel Jemson continued up front with Mark Bright, and Kevin Pressman continued his run of starts in goal. Ipswich fielded ex-Barnsley stopper Clive Baker in goal, along with ex-Owl Steve Whitton in midfield. A certain Neil Thompson also lined up at left back. The first half was almost one way traffic as Wednesday, who had shown signs of finally clicking in recent games, completely dominated and deservedly went in ahead. The breakthrough goal came in the 19th minute as Andy Sinton twisted and turned on the left flank, tying Mick Stockwell in knots in the process, and crossed for Jemson to head home at the far post. In truth, Wednesday should have been out of sight by half time. Baker made an unbelievable save from a Ryan Jones header, and then twice produced saves from Sinton efforts. The Owls went in to the break 1-0 up having played really well, but with that nagging sense that maybe they could regret not making their dominance pay even more. Thankfully such worries were to prove unfounded as the visitors continued to dominate in the second half. A few minutes after the restart it was the same combination who made it 2-0; Sinton exchanged passes with Nigel Worthington and produced a lovely chipped cross over Baker that Jemson touched in from close range at the far post. Having got some breathing space the confidence grew and it was soon 3-0. This time Jemson was involved in the build up as he sent Jones away down the left, and his low cross was touched in by Mark Bright. Ipswich were completely out of the game by this point and the visiting fans were loving it. The goal of the match arrived in the 76th minute when Carlton Palmer picked the ball up 10 yards into the Ipswich half and drove at the home defence. With three defenders unable to keep up, Palmer advanced into the area and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the angle. It was probably the goal of Carlton's career and worth looking up on YouTube. On a personal note, I watched this game from an executive box due to my Dad having some work contacts in Ipswich (and it happened to be his birthday). For the first three goals Chelters and Chelters Sr. kept their celebrations in check out of respect for the hosts, but that goal by Carlton was just too good and we could keep it in no longer. Cue a somewhat abashed and not entirely sincere apology a few moments later. Ipswich did get a consolation with 9 minutes to go when the be-mulleted Ian Marshall headed in but there was no concern over a freakish late fight back as the hosts' race was run. And so the game ended in a handsome and deserved win for Wednesday, with the distinct feeling that maybe things had finally clicked? Final score : Ipswich 1-4 Wednesday Ipswich : Baker, Stockwell, Thompson, Wark, Linighan, Whelan (Youds 57), Mason, Whitton (Palmer 57), Milton, Marshall, Slater. Unused sub : Morgan Wednesday : Pressman, Nilsson, Worthington, Pearce, Walker, Waddle, Sinton, Palmer, Jones, Jemson (Hyde 88), Bright. Unused subs : Poric, Woods Attendance : 15,070

Dawson has form for that sort of fuck up unfortunately. If the plan is to use the keeper to play the ball it has to be Vasquez.

So fucking tempting to send a copy of Accounting for Dummies to Mr Kieran Maguire.

Barnsley make it into the second round draw by holding Horsham to a draw.

It’s a good idea in principle but I fear that the bridges have been burned too far for DC to really accept any fan engagement now. The first step must be to convince him that the group will work with him rather than against him, that’s going to be a difficult sell.

Thanks for the positive messages, just wanted to check I was on the right track. Also good to get the seal of approval from the founder of this idea, thanks cheat.

Not looking for anyone to blow smoke up my arse or owt (well maybe a bit) but just wanted to check that this was going down OK, not too long, right sort of content etc? Any suggestions more than welcome, I’m not precious. It’s a nice distraction from the current shitshow.

Well our firm uses i phones and has corporate signatures. They are added automatically to messages sent from within the systems but not from the phones, I’m not an IT expert but I’m pretty sure it’s not possible (but might just be our setup). And anyway what does this guy expect? Who does he think he is?

Saturday 30 October 1993 FA Carling Premiership Leeds United (home) For the second league game running, the Owls faced local rivals, this time in the shape of Leeds United. The visitors were of course managed by Howard Wilkinson and with their title win of 1992 still very much fresh in the memory. Wednesday were still carrying several injuries but were at least able to welcome John Sheridan back for a place on the bench, and Nigel Jemson got his first start of the season. Leeds had a centre back pairing of two players who left Hillsborough as youngsters, Jon Newsome and David Wetherall, and also had another familiar Sheffield face in Brian Deane up front. In other news, despite their lack of numbers Wednesday had allowed a couple of players to go out on loan, as Phil King joined Notts County and back-up goalkeeper Lance Key went to Oldham. Youngsters Michael Rowntree and Ronnie Simpson were also sent out on loan to Hartlepool. The programme for the day contained an ominous looking advert : "If you're committed to the Owls and a little musically inclined you may be just the person we're looking for. The search is on for trumpeters, drummers or anyone else who can contribute to the Hillsborough match day atmosphere. If you think you could 'Sound the Charge' or 'Beat the Drum' please contact 337235". I'm not sure the same advert would elicit a particularly friendly response on the phone these days...... Anyway, back to the game and it was to be the definition of a 'pulsating derby'. Wednesday took the lead in just the second minute as Chris Waddle crashed in a brilliant free kick (where have we seen that before?) after Andy Sinton was brought down. But Leeds almost got a quick equaliser when Dorigo's cross was headed onto the underside of the bar by Deane. The visitors did get level in the 42nd minute as David Rocastle's cross was headed home by Chris Fairclough. It only took the Owls a minute to restore their lead though, Waddle putting in a swerving centre for Ryan Jones to head home powerfully past Mark Beeney. The second half was similarly exciting. In the 57th minute Leeds equalised in controversial fashion. Beeney's long kick sailed over everyone with Rod Wallace running onto it. Everyone was convinced he was offside, but the linesman didn't agree, and Wallace beat Kevin Pressman at the second attempt. 10 minutes later the visitors went in front, as Palmer and NIlsson failed to cut out a cross from the right and Gary Speed drilled home in front of the Leeds fans. Wednesday had to dig in and got an equaliser just three minutes later. Des Walker found himself in the unfamiliar territory of the Leeds box and set up Mark Bright to slam home in front of the Kop. There was to be no more scoring and both sides were probably both relieved and frustrated at the same time. Francis bemoaned Wednesday's defending, whilst Wilkinson was happy with his team's performance but wishing they did not have to face Waddle. So Wednesday, 13 games into the season, still only had the one win to their name and dropped into the relegation zone despite playing some exciting football. Surely it had to get better soon? Final score : Wednesday 3-3 Leeds Wednesday : Pressman, Nilsson, Worthington, Pearce, Walker, Waddle, Sinton, Jones, Palmer, Jemson (Sheridan 83), Bright. Unused subs : Williams, Woods Leeds : Beeney, Kelly, Dorigo, Newsome, Wetherall, Rocastle (Hodge 76), Speed, Fairclough, McAllister, Wallace, Deane. Unused subs : Strandl, Lukic Attendance : 31,892