The Sheffield legends that ‘deserve’ honour according to residents - after Paul Carrack secures plaque
As Paul Carrack’s plaque is unveiled in the heart of the city centre, locals share their thoughts on the other names that deserve legendary status
Following a distinguished music career which has spanned five decades, Paul Carrack is to be honoured with a plaque at Town Hall.
Carrack, who is regarded as one of the UK’s most respected musicians, has released 19 studio albums and performed alongside stars like Elton John, Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton among others.
Speaking prior to the unveiling, Carrack said: “I’m sure there are hundreds of Sheffield men and women who have served this great city well and are far more worthy of this award than me, but I accept it in honour of my late father and mother, my brother John, my grandparents, my aunts, uncles and cousins – all of them solid Sheffield folk who instilled in me the values of honesty, determination, hard work, humility and love. Values that have served me well in my life and career.”
Carrack’s new plaque firmly puts him in the list of Steel City greats - joining fundraising legend John Burkhill, Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker and Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill in getting a Legends plaque in the city.
But who else deserves to be honoured? We asked our readers and these were some of the most popular suggestions.
Phil Wallis mentioned former England international Chris Waddle.
The 65-year-old hails from Felling near Gateshead, but is heavily associated with the Steel City having played more than 100 matches for Sheffield Wednesday between 1992 and 1996.
Waddle featured heavily for the Owls side that reached the final of both the League Cup and the FA Cup under Trevor Francis - and is widely regarded as one of the best players to have represented the Hillsborough outfit in the modern era.
Another suggestion which came from Stephanie Hyner-Jones was Barry Bannan.
The Scottish footballer played more than 430 matches for Sheffield Wednesday in his first stint at the football club and now finds himself back in S6 just six months after leaving for Millwall.
Bannan has made the PFA Team of the Year three times while representing the Owls. Is a massive leader in the dressing room and has also become an important part of the community with many great gestures to supporters.
Another suggested footballer was former Sheffield United frontman Billy Sharp.
Statistically speaking, the local Sheffield striker, who has enjoyed three stints at Bramall Lane, is the highest scoring footballer in Championship history, while he’s also formed a part of three promotion-winning Blades teams.
Baz Oxley commented: “Richard Hawley. You have got to love him.”
Born in Pitsmoor, Hawley is another of Sheffield’s musical greats. His father Dave Hawley was a guitarist with a number of local bands - and Richard followed suit.
Hawley formed part of the Indie group Longpigs in the 1990s and also joined Pulp as a touring guitarist. He’s also had a very successful solo career and has collaborated with Robbie Williams, Nancy Sinatra, Gwen Stefani, Arctic Monkeys, Paul Weller, Duane Eddy, Lisa Marie Presley and Manic Street Preachers among others.
Returning to the theme of sports stars, Stephanie Hyner-Jones also suggested boxing icon Johnny Nelson.
The former cruiserweight champion, who now works for Sky Sports, won 45 of his 59 bouts between 1986 and 2005, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to boxing and to young people in South Yorkshire, but as of yet hasn’t received a Legend’s Plaque in the Steel City.
Frank White, whose admirers included Elvis Presley and Eric Clapton, is a name that Judd Newton described as a ‘legend to thousands of people here.’
White, who passed away in 2020, was described at the time of his death by Reverend & The Makers singer Jon McClure as Jon McClure as ‘Sheffield music royalty’.