'Monster' - new Sheffield Wednesday owners will be heroes if they can return special nights to Hillsborough
The night against Brighton is one of the finest at Hillsborough in modern times
If Sheffield Wednesday’s new owners are wondering what a special night under the lights at Hillsborough is like, then they should look back at the Brighton game from 10 years ago.
On this very day in 2016, The Owls won 2-0 in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals. Even though they ended up missing out on promotion at Wembley, it is still fondly remembered as one of the finest evenings at S6 in modern times, along with victory over Arsenal in the cup that same season.
Brighton had finished third and accumulated a lot more points, but Wednesday were never losing that match. Yes, the visitors had some bad luck with injuries that night, but the energy from the terraces was overpowering. Every pass forward, tackle, header, duel won, was met by a vibrating, enthusiastic roar. The fans kicked every ball. They wanted it more than anyone. They were desperate for success.
From a Brighton perspective, it must have felt like they kept getting hit with a hammer. Like they kept running into a brick wall. You could not hear yourself think. It was played at 100mph. You felt shattered just watching it. The fans sucked the ball into the net that night. Then the phones came out and the lights show commenced. Hillsborough started to shake. Literally. Its foundations were rocking, as were Brighton.
New owners, Arise Capital Partners, have had a little taste of what matchdays can be like. The West Brom game had similarities but the relaxed vibe of an end of season stroll was not quite the same. With only pride riding on it, there were lulls in that atmosphere. But against Brighton it was hostile, nasty, and snarling. It was relentless. The energy was surging, powerful, and it helped secure the win. The fans really were the 12th man that night.
Hillsborough is one of the best arenas when it is like that. It is unique. It was like Anfield on a big Champions League night. The walk to the ground feels different. The darkness brings an extra air of excitement. Of creepiness. Of the unknown. Hillsborough was a monster.
If David Storch and Arise can help bring those occasions back then they will be heroes. Hillsborough deserves to see more of those nights. Peterborough aside, it has been too long.