It’s 32 years ago today since a band of Sheffield Wednesday players wrote themselves into the club’s folklore.
Against the odds, Second Division Wednesday beat a Manchester United team inching to the verge of greatness again in the League Cup final at Wembley, thanks to an iconic goal from John Sheridan. Those of you who watched it will still remember the ‘dink’ and those not old enough will certainly have been told about it.
"We had a great spirit. They just all gelled together. We went to a cup final that we knew we were going to win,” said boss Ron Atkinson. "I don’t think I’ve ever had that feeling in football, whoever we were playing, but we knew we were going down there to win it.”
A larger than life personality and player, Pearson left Wednesday in 1994 to join Middlesbrough. Went straight into coaching after retirement, guiding Carlisle to Football League safety in his first months before holding a number of high-profile coaching roles. Went back into management with Southampton in 2008 and has since been at Leicester (twice), Hull, Derby, Leuven and Watford. Now at Bristol City. Photo: Nathan Stirk
Another lifelong Wednesdayite, South Yorkshire-born Shirtliff played at Hillsborough until 1993 before leaving for Wolves, who he captained. Ended his career at Bansley and went into coaching, managing Mansfield Town having worked alongside Carlton Palmer. Since worked at a handful of clubs in coaching and scouting. Currently in between jobs, living in Lytham St Annes. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Was given a hero's goodbye when he left S6 to return to Sweden in 1994, returning to England in 1997 at Coventry, where he would later manage. Played his last game in 2006 at the age of 43 as manager of Swedish side GAIS and has since managed at Malmo, Copenhagen and Sweden u21s. His last job was at IFK Goteborg - who he saved from relegation before leaving in 2020. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Another departure in the exodus of 1994, Worthington went up the road to Leeds before finishing his playing career with Stoke and Blackpool. Embarked on a successful management career with the Tangerines in 1997, before spells at Norwich, with Northern Ireland and York City. Linked with Wednesday from time to time, he is now effectively retired in Norfolk. Photo: Mike Hewitt