The night Sheffield Wednesday players thought a rocking Hillsborough might come down around them

“I thought, 'Jesus, the stand's going to come down in a minute!'”
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Those were Tom Lees’ thoughts after the match. It felt exactly that way.

‘We’re Sheffield Wedesday, we’re on our way back...’ the anthem of a season, thumped through Hillsborough. A somewhat surprising charge towards a return to the Premier League had hit this moment and caused a sonic boom around S6.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An impromptu lightshow from the stands, phone torches flickering like stars, in your mind softened the noise to bring about an almost dream-like experience before yet again the din lifted and the old ground shook once more to the sound of a community rising in the belief that, yes... this is our night and yes... this could be our year.

Putting to one side what happened in the days, weeks, months and even years after, this night at Hillsborough, however bittersweet, remains once of the most memorable in Wednesday’s recent history.

It was a night that put the Owls back on the big stage, nearly two decades after they were relegated from the top flight, and reminded the rest of the country of the club’s mangitude.

They absolutely battered Brighton.

The scoreline may have read 2-0, but Carlos Carvalhal’s side were incredible, deserving of at least two more goals and the Seagulls were being shot down – almost literally in some respects as they picked up a number of injuries which really only added to the tension.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fernando Forestieri first lifted the roof with a strike that was ultimately ruled out for offside, much to his Portuguese boss’ anger.

However, there was no frustration when just before half time, Ross Wallace jinked inside and drove beyond David Stockdale.

Read More
Lee Bullen, James Quinn and Matt Hamshaw remember Sheffield Wednesday's playoff ...

And with about 20 minutes remaining, Brighton on the ropes, Kieran Lee struck the decisive blow latching onto a Forestieri through ball to double the lead.

Barry Bannan on centre stage during the play-off semi final first leg win for Sheffield Wednesday against Brighton at HillsboroughBarry Bannan on centre stage during the play-off semi final first leg win for Sheffield Wednesday against Brighton at Hillsborough
Barry Bannan on centre stage during the play-off semi final first leg win for Sheffield Wednesday against Brighton at Hillsborough

A packed-out stadium, under the Friday night lights on a mild May evening, had bristled, shook and exploded throughout. Even the players admitted to having their senses heightened by what was going on around them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It sends a shiver down your spine. It is unbelievable,” said Lee afterwards.

"It was absolutely unreal," Tom Lees then told the press at a Hillsborough that was now empty but still felt like it was holding the noise of the previous few hours. "It was the best atmosphere I've played in by a country mile.

"The lads were saying afterwards when all the lights went on (the fans) phones, all round the stadium, it gave us goosebumps. At one point when one side was bouncing, I could see on the pitch, the floodlights were actually moving. I thought, 'Jesus, the stand's going to come down in a minute!'

Carlos Carvalhal manager of Sheffield Wednesday (2ndL) reacts after Fernando Forestieri had his goal disallowed during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off First Leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough on May 13, 2016 in Sheffield, England.  (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)Carlos Carvalhal manager of Sheffield Wednesday (2ndL) reacts after Fernando Forestieri had his goal disallowed during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off First Leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough on May 13, 2016 in Sheffield, England.  (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Carlos Carvalhal manager of Sheffield Wednesday (2ndL) reacts after Fernando Forestieri had his goal disallowed during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off First Leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough on May 13, 2016 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

"That shows how much noise and how much passion there was."

A few days later, 2,000 Wednesdayites headed south and watched their side defend like their lives depended on it, with a 1-1 draw sealing a place at Wembley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We all know what happened there and in the years since at Wednesday, but even still, that night of May 13 in Sheffield will remain etched in the memory of all those who were there.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Players celebrate after Kieran Lee of Sheffield Wednesday scored during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off First Leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough on May 13, 2016 in Sheffield, England.  (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)Players celebrate after Kieran Lee of Sheffield Wednesday scored during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off First Leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough on May 13, 2016 in Sheffield, England.  (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Players celebrate after Kieran Lee of Sheffield Wednesday scored during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off First Leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough on May 13, 2016 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor