Sheffield Wednesday Makes History as First Team Relegated in February After Rival United Delivers Final Blow

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY’S long-suffering supporters had known for months it would end in relegation.

But for it to be confirmed here, with a brave 2-1 defeat at home of their bitter rivals, was the cruellest chapter yet in their season from hell.

Sheffield Wednesday will play League One football next season after relegation was confirmedCredit: Reuters The Owls had their fate sealed at the hands of fierce rivals Sheffield UnitedCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Henrik Pedersen’s patched-up team of free agents, kids, waifs and strays knew nothing less than a victory in the Steel City derby would put off the inevitable.

They put up an almighty fight, but were still unable to provide a ray of light in a long-and-dark campaign – despite Kalvin Phillips’ red card.

Wednesday were ruthlessly put to the sword early in front of a baying Bramall Lane mob of 30,457 thirsty for blood like the Romans at the Coliseum.

United boss Chris Wilder promised his men would show no mercy on their crisis-stricken neighbours.

And his Blades savagely ripped through the Owls from the off before surviving a second half scare to bolster their own push for the Championship play-offs.

Just 72 seconds were on the clock when Patrick Bamford stuck the first nail in Wednesday’s coffin.

Joel Ndala panicked in the left-back position and fired it straight into the middle 30 yards out.

There was not a blue and white shirt in sight as Gus Hamer pounced.

You had to feel for Pedersen, standing shell-shocked in his turtle neck in the technical area.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows got the Blades three points and condemned WednesdayCredit: PA The Bramall Lane fans had the last laughCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Not even a second half red card for Kalvin Phillips in a feisty game could save Wednesday for another weekCredit: Getty

And you could not help the feeling that it was going to be a long and painful afternoon too for Dieng.

The Senegalese stopper, 31, joined the Owls on an emergency loan from Middlesbrough on Friday.

This was his first game for 14 months after being frozen out at the Riverside following an Achilles injury.

It says a lot about Wednesday’s chaotic campaign that he was the SEVENTH goalkeeper to be used this term.

And this was a real baptism of fire in S2.

Japhet Tanganga blazed over from 12 yards and Callum O’Hare beat Dieng but not the post with a thunderous strike as the onslaught continued.

Though there was no stopping Harrison Burrows from doubling the lead on 19 minutes.

The left-back started it, and with no Wednesday man tracking his surge forward, he raced into the box to receive Sydie Peck’s pass and buried it into the net.

This was men against boys.

Jaden Heskey went into the book for swiping the feet of Andre Brooks and was followed by Owls team-mate Svante Ingelsson for a chop on O’Hare.

And frustrations threatened to boil over when Hamer reacted furiously to a foul by Jamal Lowe, sparking a melee of pushing and shoving from both sets of players.

The visitors survived until half time but you could feel the anger in the Wednesday ranks.

But the trouble began for them last summer, after a 12th-place finish in the second tier, when manager Danny Rohl and most of his squad left as the fallout from Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership came to a head.

Staff went unpaid for several months, a total of 18 points deducted for financial mismanagement ensued and they have proceeded to win only once all term while being stuck in administration since October 24.

And with only one goal in the past 11 matches, it was going to need some miracle to turn this round.

They got a much-needed boost when former England international Phillips, looking to reignite his career, hit a new low on just his third appearance following his loan arrival from Manchester City.

The midfielder received a straight red for going over the top on Ingelsson’s knee.

And within moments Wednesday got another lifeline as Charlie McNeill drilled inside Michael Cooper’s near post.

The mood changed. McNeill whacked over from 30 yards as nerves started to jangle.

But, in truth, Pedersen’s team lacked the quality to match their spirit. And comeback hopes ended when Gabriel Otegabyo got his second yellow after tugging Tyrese Campbell to the floor in the 90th minute.

It will be derbies with Barnsley and potentially Rotherham to come next term for them in League One.

But for the Owls, all that matters now is new ownership coming in to reinvigorate the club.