A former Sheffield Wednesday man has made a shock return to football.
Right now, Sheffield Wednesday are struggling in the Championship, having lost their last three under Danny Rohl to find themselves in 20th place of the Championship table.
But even under the 10-year rule of owner Dejphon Chansiri, there’s been bright campaigns for Sheffield Wednesday, including two consecutive top-six finishes in the Championship under Carlos Carvalhal.
Even before then, Sheffield Wednesday were Championship regulars and sometimes contenders, despite yo-yoing between the Championship and League One.
During those years, the Owls played host to many managers and players, with Hillsborough often seeing an influx of players, with many having gone on to big things, but perhaps even more having gone on to not-so-big things.
The first-team squad right now boasts some big names in the game an some very well-liked players, including Liam Palmer and Barry Bannan who is eyeing up his testimonial match.
And 32-year-old Palmer has been with the Owls long enough to have played with former loan striker Nile Ranger.
Former Sheffield Wednesday man Nile Ranger makes non-league return
Ranger, now 33, spent time on loan with Sheffield Wednesday from Newcastle United during their promotion-winning 20211/12 season in League One.
The big striker scored twice in eight league appearances for the Owls.
Released by Newcastle United in 2013, Ranger went on to have spells with Blackpool and Southend United before a two-year hiatus from the game.
He returned to action with non-league Spalding United in 2020 before brief spells with Southend and Boreham Wood, with the latter ending in 2021.
Ranger has been out of football since, but seventh-tier Kettering Town have recently announced the capture of Ranger.
Sheffield Wednesday missed out on Nile Ranger-like signing this summer
Ranger had a decent record at Sheffield Wednesday. But his career hasn’t panned out how it once promised too, and now he’s playing well down the English football pyramid, at the age of just 33.
Rohl though could well have done with a loan striker signing this summer, with his current options not providing the goods.
Sheffield Wednesday wanted to sign Mark O’Mahony but he instead joined Portsmouth on loan from Brighton.
The Owls may well rue not signing a striker on loan before the summer deadline.
Rohl though will be confident of the likes of Ike Ugbo and Jamal Lowe showing their Championship class, and getting the Owls back on track this season.