Liam Palmer thinks Sheffield Wednesday could be about to help him reach his ‘biggest achievement’ since joining the club.
Liam Palmer joined Sheffield Wednesday’s academy in 1999 and was awarded their Academy Player of the Year before making his senior debut in August 2010.
After a loan spell with Tranmere Rovers during the 2012-13 season, the defender began to earn himself a regular spot with the club and has now racked up over 400 appearances, putting him inside the top 10 on Sheffield Wednesday’s all-time appearance list.
Palmer has been with the Yorkshire outfit through the highs and lows, winning two promotions and also being named their Player of the Year twice – including last season.
The 32-year-old was pivotal to last season’s playoff victory, scoring six goals in 47 games in League One.
The team pulled off the unthinkable when they overturned a 4-0 aggregate score against Peterborough United, before netting a last-gasp winner at Wembley Stadium to send them back to the Championship.
Despite the ‘fantastic and memorable feeling’ the playoff victory gave Palmer, he has admitted that staying up this season could be even better.
Speaking to The Star, he said: “We always knew the task we had once we’d had that start.
“We know the start was unacceptable. But with the change of manager and having shown what we’re capable of, it’s given us a real belief. Now more than ever it’s nice to play nice football and so the best we can. There will be times we have our backs against the wall and we have to stand up, no team will give us anything.
“It (the achievement of staying up) would be right up there. The accolades and everything that came with the play-offs and how that went down, winning at Wembley, these are memories that will last forever.
“It was a fantastic and memorable feeling, but when you actually look back at the hard work and everything it took to get us there, it would be a double-up to make sure we get ourselves in the division and stay up after the start we had. It would probably be the biggest achievement of my time here.”
Could it be a send off for Palmer?
Sheffield Wednesday finished third in League One last season and were definitely one of the favourites to win the playoffs, so it wasn’t a huge surprise until they found themselves 4-0 down in the first leg.
Given their previous struggles in the Championship, remaining in the second tier is definitely a major achievement for these players – especially the one who has been with the club for 25 years.
Palmer may well end up leaving the club this summer once his contract expires too, so to end it on such a high would be perfect for him and the fans.
The veteran’s commitment and love for the club will definitely play a huge role in the final run-in, and if anyone is going to put their entire heart into staying up then it will be him.