The incredible untold story of how Chris Turner found out Sheffield Wednesday were promoted in 2005

By Alex Miller

Published 29th May 2020, 12:37 GMT

Updated 29th May 2020, 18:06 GMT

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The point could be argued that of all those present at the Millennium Stadium 15 years ago today, none had more of an impact on the clash than a man that was strolling through tourist hotspots nearly 3,500 miles away.

Chris Turner, the former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper who had assembled much of the Owls side on a shoestring budget before his sacking earlier that season, had also set the wheels in motion for a period of Hartlepool success that had seen them make for a David and Goliath billing in the 2005 League One playoff final.

And while Paul Sturrock and Hartlepool boss Martin Scott walked the technical areas that day, Turner avoided the action altogether while on holiday in New York. He admits he has never watched the match back.

“I'd built both teams in that final, a large majority of the Hartlepool team were my players and obviously Sheffield Wednesday's team that year I'd put together,” he said speaking to The Star.

“I'd booked to go to New York and it coincided with the playoff final. It was whilst I was away. I didn't actually see the game and I still haven't seen the game today.”

As afternoon turned to evening, still completely unaware of the drama that had unfolded, Turner allowed his mind to drift over to Cardiff. What followed was utterly remarkable.

“I remember walking through Times Square and there were thousands and thousands of people,” he said. “The last I'd heard it was going through extra time. It was about half an hour or so after it would have finished I'd guess and I had no idea of the result.

“All of a sudden a Sheffield Wednesday came up to me from nowhere. He said ‘Chris, what a result that is, we've won, we're back!’ I could not believe it.

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool manager Chris Turner only found out about the result of the 2005 playoff final when he was told by an Owls fan in Times Square, New York. — Former Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool manager Chris Turner only found out about the result of the 2005 playoff final when he was told by an Owls fan in Times Square, New York. | Getty Images

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool manager Chris Turner only found out about the result of the 2005 playoff final when he was told by an Owls fan in Times Square, New York. — Former Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool manager Chris Turner only found out about the result of the 2005 playoff final when he was told by an Owls fan in Times Square, New York. | Getty Images

“In Times Square, with thousands of people, thousands of miles away. I was just walking along and a Sheffield Wednesday fan told me.

“There was a part of me thinking 'I wonder what the score is, I wonder what's going on', you didn't really have the phones and that back then. And then a Sheffield Wednesday fan spots me in Times Square. Incredible.”

READ MORE:

A Dave Allen rule and beers in Ibiza: how Sheffield Wednesday built the spirit of 2005

Turner had played a big part in assembling both sides that took the field at the Millennium Stadium. — Turner had played a big part in assembling both sides that took the field at the Millennium Stadium. | Getty Images

Turner had played a big part in assembling both sides that took the field at the Millennium Stadium. — Turner had played a big part in assembling both sides that took the field at the Millennium Stadium. | Getty Images

From factory to final: How Sheffield Wednesday’s Drew Talbot nearly missed his date with destiny

Moses Odubajo opens up on the Garry Monk meeting that almost saw him leave Sheffield Wednesday

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Chris Turner Martin Scott New York Sheffield Hartlepool