Sheffield Wednesday have undoubtedly gone downhill since the days of Premier League football, having spent eight years in the top flight in the 1990s.
The Owls dropped down to the second division in 2000, but probably wouldn’t have expected to never return.
While Sheffield Wednesday have spent a majority of their time since in the Championship, they have also endured some difficult trips all the way down to the third tier.
There have been many a times when it felt like Sheffield Wednesday should be moving forwards, with Milan Mandaric rescuing the club from administration in 2010, before Dejphon Chansiri eventually taking over in 2015 – with the promise of funds.
While the Owls now find themselves facing a further relegation if they don’t pick up some results, there is no doubt that the club have enjoyed some memorable occasions. The relegations have been difficult, but the promotions will never be forgotten.
Last season’s play-off victory came as a huge shock and is likely to go down in the history books, while you have to look back eleven years for their last promotion to the Championship.
Here is Sheffield Wednesday’s starting line-up on the final day of that 2011-12 season and where they are now…
Stephen Bywater
Stephen Bywater initially joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for only three months before making his move permanent in December 2011.
The goalkeeper kept 14 clean sheets in 34 games as the Owls were promoted, before he went to remain at Hillsborough for a further year.
Bywater went onto play for Millwall, Gillingham, Doncaster Rovers, Kerala Blasters and Burton Albion, before retiring in 2020.
Lewis Buxton
Lewis Buxton spent seven years with Sheffield Wednesday and was named the club’s Player of the Year upon their return to the Championship.
He was released in 2015 and was snapped up by Rotherham United, before retiring with Bolton Wanderers two years later.
Buxton went onto co-found Human Experience Coaching, working with players in the Premier League, Championship and MLS. He also wrote a book named “The Athlete’s Bible”.
Danny Batth
Danny Batth is one of the few players still going, with the defender returning to Wolves after his loan spell at Hillsborough ended.
The defender won promotion to the Premier League with Wolves before he was offloaded to Stoke City.
Batth was named Sunderland’s Player of the Year last season before he was sold to Norwich City, where he has only managed one start this season.
Miguel Llera
Miguel Llera made his switch to Sheffield Wednesday permanent in 2012, before signing for Scunthorpe United two years later.
The former defender retired in 2015 and went onto work as a first-team scout for the Owls, as well as working as a coach at Sheffield FC and Sheffield Hallam University.
He has also worked with Chesterfield, Walsall and Retford United, before he was appointed assistant manager of Maltby Main in October 2023.
Mark Beevers
After six years with Sheffield Wednesday’s senior team, Mark Beevers joined Millwall in 2016.
The 34-year-old went onto play for Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United, before signing for Australia’s Perth Glory in 2022.
Beevers was named the club’s co-captain in October and has started all four games so far this season.
Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio arrived on loan from Reading in 2012 and made his move permanent following promotion.
The Jamaica international netted 17 goals and provided 19 assists in 84 games before joining Nottingham Forest.
Antonio now plays for West Ham and is their top scorer in the Premier League with 63 goals.
It is thought that Antonio still ‘loves’ Sheffield Wednesday following his stint.
Chris Lines
Chris Lines left Sheffiled Wednesday in 2013 and has since played for Port Vale, Bristol Rovers, Northampton Town and Stevenage.
He joined National League South club Bath City last summer and also works in insurance.
Jose Semedo
After six years in Yorkshire, Jose Semedo returned to Portugal with Vitoria Setubal.
The midfielder announced his retirement from football in January 2023.
Keith Treacy
Keith Treacy only made a handful of appearances during a loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday.
He went onto have brief spells with Barnsley, Drogheda United and St Patrick’s Athletic before retiring in 2016 due to his mental health.
Gary Madine
Gary Madine spent four years with Sheffield Wednesday, scoring 28 goals in 113 games.
The striker most recently played for Blackpool and scored 13 goals in 61 games in the Championship before they were relegated last season. Madine is now without a club.
Nile Ranger
Nile Ranger only scored two goals for the Owls, one of which came in the final day win over Wycombe Wanderers.
The former forward has since played for the likes of Swindon Town, Blackpool and Southend United, but has never managed to live up to expectations due to his discipline record and criminal history.
The 32-year-old has been out of action since leaving Boreham Wood last year.