'1970 against Manchester City at Hillsborough. We lost and were relegated': More Sheffield Wednesday fans' memories of watching their first Owls game

Football supporters will always have a special place in their heart for the very first game they saw live.
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There's nothing quite like being inside a ground on matchday to soak up the atmosphere, catch up with friends who sit – or stand – around you and, of course, to hopefully cheer on your heroes to victory.

Every fan has their match day ritual, from enjoying a pre-match pint or two in the boozer to placing a bet on the first goalscorer ahead of kick-off.

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Of course, these are things we’ve all sorely missed during the coronavirus crisis and none of us can wait to get back inside Hillsborough to support Garry Monk’s side as they chip away at their 12-point deduction at the foot of the Sky Bet Championship table.

So, what memories of their first Wednesday game do Owls fans have?

Let’s take a look at what some of you have had to say on our Facebook page in part two of our ‘my first game’ feature.

Steve Williams

“Versus Spurs at the Lane circa December 94. Took a photo of the scoreboard at half time, we were 1-0 up. Andy Sinton skipped by three Spurs players, got into the box and tripped over his toe and that was it. Place was deathly quiet and some fella yells out ‘**** off Sinton you're crap’. I said to the fella beside me ‘that's a bit harsh’. The fella replied ‘aye, but he is’. We ended up getting rolled 4-1.”

Sheffield Wednesday fans' first game memories.Sheffield Wednesday fans' first game memories.
Sheffield Wednesday fans' first game memories.

Tess Maciejewski

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"1970 against Manchester City at Hillsborough. We lost and were relegated, boo hoo. It poured with rain.”

Darryl Sayles

“Wednesday v Boro 1995, South Stand. Waddle centre mid, hardly left the centre circle all match – legs gone by then, just spraying 40 yard passes left and right. Degryse up top.”

Sheffield Wednesday fans' first game memories.Sheffield Wednesday fans' first game memories.
Sheffield Wednesday fans' first game memories.

Gary Cairney

“West Ham United home with my school mate Allan Burr 1969/70 in the old First Division sat in the uncovered seats (South Stand, five bob) will remain in my memory. WTID. BTW result 1-1.”

Adam Corbridge

“Newcastle at home. 2-1 to the blue and white wizards I believe… 10 January 1998.”

Apollo-Reade Malone

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“Bolton 1997, beat them 5-0. Lovely Booth hat-trick. Free ticket from school. My grandad took me, one of the best days of my life.”

Ben Hales

“Wednesday v Liverpool. Back in the day. Walked down the tunnel at 2.45pm with my grandad, and walked around the pitch to the disabled area. Good times.”

Dean Marriott

"1980, Carlisle home. Was on Leppings Lane end behind goal. 0-0, went on the pitch on my dad’s shoulders, then walked back to city centre. All cars peeping, then 30 years later did the same again.”

Malcolm Bush

"Initially, I think it was a League Cup match away at Bournemouth, early 1970s (yes, I was born there), but having moved to Sheffield in 1979, I was at Barnsley for the start of the season.”

Stephanie Morrall

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“Wednesday v Barrow, League Cup 11 October 1967... won 3-1. I can’t remember who scored. I was cold, my feet hurt and vowed and declared I'd never go again.... until the next game. Didn’t know once you’d been, you were hooked forever.”

John Tagg

"In 1970 a work colleague invited me to go to a league match against Luton Town. We sat in the Leppings Lane and I remember seeing Malcolm McDonald quite close on several occasions. Unfortunately we lost 5-1 that day.”

Martin Parker

“December 1991, Chelsea at home, 3-0 win, David Hirst, two, Paul Williams. Kevin Hitchcock got sent off, Vinnie Jones went in goal and was booked within 30 seconds for time-wasting.”

Robert Sanderson

"December 1st 1990 against Notts County in Division Two at Hillsborough. Score was 2-2. Wednesday wore the yellow and sky blue away kit because Notts County's away kit was all dark blue. Warnock was Notts County's manager.”

Mark Etches

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"Evening game February 1982 home against Bolton. Lost 1-0. Jack Charlton manager. Sat in the West Stand Upper. Away support below.”

Martyn McLean

"1960 or 61. Owls v Spurs. Spurs unbeaten until Owls inflicted their first defeat of the season. 2-1 win for Owls. I would have been eight or nine years old at the time.”

Dominic Stevenson

“Wednesday v Aldershot in the cup, 1989. 0-0. I was four and my dad says that if I could remember it I’d never have gone again! Many good memories since, just none from that day!”

Lee Newton

"Wednesday versus Spora Luxembourg ‘92. 8-1. I was spoilt there big time, I was spoilt the whole season. What a team we were, then”

Tim Beesley

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"Third Division against Carlisle! Brian Hornsby scored a cracker! Hooked from that day on!”

Neil Wright

“Against Spurs 1957. Remember being passed down to the front of Leppings Lane.”

Allan Asquith

"It was early 60s, Spurs at home. Score 0-0 . . . travelled from Bradford on bus. I was in my early teens.”

Des Ellis

“Think it was against Arsenal. Sat in the North Stand around 68/69. Lost 5-1 . . . why did it not put me off for life? Instead I've been there every year and still home and away.”

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