Remembering Sheffield Wednesday's best cup runs since famous 1993 FA Cup win over Sheffield United

While the modern day riches of the Premier League and European competition see the domestic cup competitions often sorely neglected in the upper echelons of English football, the 'magic of the cup' is still very much alive for the majority of clubs.
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Today marks 27 years since Sheffield Wednesday' iconic 2-1 1993 FA Cup Semi-Final win over Sheffield United, where Mark Bright famously secured the bragging rights for Owls fans with his dramatic extra-time winner.

While the Owls' endeavours ultimately ended in heartbreak that season, with Arsenal beating them in both the FA Cup and League Cup Finals, it was a glorious ride providing plenty of cherished memories.

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Since then, Wednesday’s successful cup runs have been few and far between, who have continually tumbled out at around the third and fourth round.

(Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport/Getty)(Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport/Getty)
(Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport/Getty)

But the 1993/94 season provided another stirring showing, this time in the League Cup, with Trevor Francis guiding his side to the quarter-finals.

The opening rounds were rocky, with Hillsborough replays being required against both Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough being required to assure further progression.

Wednesday then ended their struggles on the road, as Gordon Watson's diving header saw his side book their place in the quarter-finals under the Loftus Road floodlights.

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A narrow 1-0 loss at Old Trafford gave Owls fans hope of a memorable night at Hillsborough in the semi-final second leg, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-winning side proved too powerful, galloping into 2-0 lead in just ten minutes, and booking their place at Wembley with a comforable 4-1 (5-1 agg.) victory.

Moving into the 21st century, the 2001/02 League Cup campaign stands out as a particularly enthralling one for Wednesday, who, despite finishing 20th place in the league, managed to rally and put together a spirited run in the then-Worthington sponsored competition.

Thanks to some dazzling performances from Nigeria international Efan Ekoku, Wednesday motored past Bury in the first round, before entertaining clashes against Sunderland and Crystal Palace were settled on extra-time and penalties respectively.

Alas, after edging past Aston Villa, and putting Watford to the sword in a 4-0 quarter-final home wine, the Owls lost 6-3 (agg.) to Graeme Souness' Blackburn Rovers - the eventual cup winners.