'Out of this world' - Tony Pulis praises Sheffield Wednesday supporters

Tony Pulis is desperate to put Sheffield Wednesday’s ‘out of this world’ support back on track for top flight football again.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The new Owls boss spoke about Wednesday’s fanbase in glowing terms as he addressed the media for the first time since his appointment on Friday.

And he said it is regrettable that his Hillsborough debut against his former club Stoke City will come without fans present due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think the big disappointment for me is that the fans will not be there,” Pulis said.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters outside HillsboroughSheffield Wednesday supporters outside Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday supporters outside Hillsborough

“I’ve not been involved because of the Covid situation and it’ll be interesting to see how things, especially matchdays are different.

“I’ve been telling my family and my seven grandkids that the club’s supporters are out of this world, they’re fantastic.

“I’ve not managed the football club but I’ve managed against the football club at different venues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Wherever we played them, there has always been a massive travelling support and whether they were winning or losing, the travelling support have always struck me as very loyal and very committed.

“I’d love to place this club in a similar position to the one the fella over the road has.”

The 62-year-old insists he wants to give the supporters an ‘honest’ team that reflects their city.

And he says he will pull no punches in his assessment of the players and their performances.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s about putting in place basic principles, good organisation, respect, and plenty of honesty,” he said. “That’s what we want.

“It’s a working class town. It’s a very similar area to where I was brought up. They will most probably say it the way they see it.

“There will be no messing around. There will be no sugar coating it.

“I enjoy that, the way British people are they say it the way they see it.

“It’s a big club with expectations. The supporters expect.

“It’s a big city, a working class city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The players have to live with that. The chairman has bought this club because it’s a big club and because he thinks he can take it to the Premier League.”

READ MORE

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.