Relive the five most memorable Steel City derby matches from a Sheffield Wednesday perspective ahead of their clash with Sheffield United this weekend.
One of the fiercest derbies in the UK is set to be renewed this Sunday when Danny Rohl’s side travel to Bramall Lane.
It is the first time the two rivals will have met since 2019 after the two clubs flirted in opposite divisions for a few seasons.
However, after the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League, the derby is now set to be renewed.
Rohl has already explained the importance of the Steel City derby as he aims to push the Owls further up the Championship table.
Therefore, in the build-up to the fixture, Sheffield Wednesday News has looked back on the five most memorable games from an Owls perspective in the derby.
2012: Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Sheffield United – The battle for promotion
In the 2011/12 campaign, both clubs were gunning for promotion back into the Championship.
The table was tight going into the second derby of the season in February with four successive losses damaging the Owls’ chances to finish in the promotion slots.
Much came down to this derby as a Blades victory would have seen them pull eight points clear of their rivals and put further strain on Gary Megson’s job.
However, Wednesday were up to the challenge which resulted in Chris O’Grady heading in the only goal of the game midway through the second half to secure all three points.
The result meant the Owls were just two points off United going into the final stretch of the season which eventually saw them rewarded with promotion.
1979: Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 Sheffield United – The Boxing Day massacre
In 1979 the two clubs clashed for the 100th time in the old third division in a highly-memorable game on Boxing Day.
It was the first meeting between the two rivals since 1971 with a record 49,309 crowd flocking to Hillsborough.
Despite the Blades going into the match as favourites, Wednesday under the guidance of Jack Charlton demolished their neighbours.
Ian Mellor gave the visitors the lead five minutes before half-time with a stunning strike from 25 yards. In the second half, this was followed up with another two goals in two minutes from Terry Curran and Jeff King.
Late in the day, Mark Smith rounded off the victory from the penalty spot to give the Owls a resounding victory.
Since the match, there has not been a greater margin of victory in the derby in any competition which has only sweetened the result.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan.
2009: Sheffield United 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday – Marcus Tudgay screamer earns all three points
In another February affair, the Owls travelled to Bramall Lane seeking to put a dent in the Blades’ promotion hopes.
United were flying near the top of the table and were looking to close in on the promotion places. In comparison, Wednesday were struggling for consistency in the middle of the table.
Nevertheless, under Brian Laws, the visitors happily rose to the challenge and saw themselves go 1-0 just a minute in thanks to Tommy Spurr’s strike.
Arturo Lupoli quickly levelled the day for the Blades with a header that bounced in off the bar but Wednesday were not done yet.
A stunning 25-yard strike from Marcus Tudgay would prove to be enough to separate the two sides and ultimately come away with a famous victory.
1993: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Sheffield United – Mark Bright sends the Owls to an FA Cup final
In 1993 both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday were two top teams in England. Both were founding teams of the Premier League and were comfortable in the division.
This allowed both sides to go on a run in the FA Cup which saw them meet in the semi-finals.
Wednesday has knocked out Cambridge United, Sunderland, Southend United and Derby County to reach this stage. In comparison, United defeated Burnley, Hartlepool United, Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers.
With the two sides meeting at Wembley in April, tensions were high, with a position in the final at stake.
Chris Waddle put the Owls in front early on before Alan Cork equalised just before half-time.
With no one able to strike a winner in the second period, extra time was needed. Here, Mark Bright netted a brilliant late goal to secure Wednesday’s place in the final.
2011: Sheffield United 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday – The Owls rescue a late point
Going back to the 2011/12 campaign, the derby earlier in the year was equally as memorable.
Travelling to Bramall Lane, the Owls struggled to get going and found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Stephen Quinn and Ched Evans.
Despite a loss looking inevitable, a late surge saw the visitors claw themselves back into the game.
Chris O’Grady got a goal back in the 82nd minute with a header before Gary Madine netted an equaliser four minutes later to the delight of the travelling fans.