If It’s Wednesday, It Must Be Wembley

Back in 1993, as Sheffield Wednesday returned yet again to Wembley to face Arsenal in the FA Cup Final, it felt as though the famous old stadium was becoming a regular haunt for the Owls.

Writing this in 2026, that may sound ridiculous to younger Wednesday fans. The club’s situation has changed massively since those days, and Wembley visits are now far from routine. But across our history, Wednesday’s biggest days out have produced stories of glory, heartbreak and sliding-door moments.

Before looking at the Wembley games themselves, it is worth starting with the major finals that were not played there.

The Cup Finals Not at Wembley

It may seem an odd place to begin, but cup finals have not always been staged at Wembley. Although domestic cup finals are now strongly associated with the national stadium, the FA Cup Final was not played there until 1923.

1890 FA Cup Final

Wednesday’s first ever FA Cup Final was certainly a sobering experience for the team and supporters.

The Owls faced Blackburn Rovers at Kensington Oval and were beaten 6-1. At the time, Blackburn were specialists in the competition, having won three FA Cups in a row between 1884 and 1886.

Wednesday’s bad luck appeared to begin before kick-off, with captain Henry Winterbottom ruled out and Billy Ingram struggling with illness. Things did not improve once the game started. Wednesday conceded after just six minutes following some questionable goalkeeping, and by half-time Blackburn were already 4-0 up.

Unfortunately, a comeback from four goals down would have to wait another 133 years.

Albert Mumford did at least score a consolation goal, becoming Wednesday’s first goalscorer in an FA Cup Final.

1896 FA Cup Final

Just six years later, The Wednesday reached another FA Cup Final, this time against Wolves at Crystal Palace.

After the chastening experience of 1890, Wednesday fans were hoping for a much better day out. They did not have to wait long. Fred Spiksley fired home after around 15 to 20 seconds, with no officially agreed time, to give the Owls a sensational early lead.

This was something I had not previously appreciated, having initially believed Roberto Di Matteo became the quickest FA Cup Final goalscorer in 1997.

David Black equalised for Wolves, but the prolific Spiksley struck again to secure Wednesday’s first FA Cup triumph. That victory also ensured the Owls became the first Yorkshire side to win a major trophy, leaving the smaller local sides to play catch-up.

1907 FA Cup Final

Wednesday secured their second FA Cup triumph with a 2-1 victory over Everton at Crystal Palace.

Everton were looking for consecutive FA Cup wins, but Wednesday had two new heroes on the day. Jimmy Stewart and George Simpson scored the all-important goals, with Simpson’s winner arriving in the 86th minute to break Everton hearts.

More on late winners later.

2005 League One Play-Off Final

A mere 98 years later, due to the unavailability of Wembley, the Owls travelled to the Millennium Stadium to face Hartlepool United.

This may not have been a major cup final, but it was crucial that Wednesday took their chance to return to second-tier football. There was an invasion of Wednesdayites in Cardiff that day, with around 42,000 Owls fans roaring the team on.

It all seemed to be going to plan when Jon-Paul McGovern fired Wednesday into a 1-0 half-time lead. However, two second-half goals from Hartlepool left the Owls staring defeat in the face.

With eight minutes left, Steve MacLean stepped up after a three-month layoff and hit a terrible penalty that somehow found its way in to level the game.

In extra time, Wednesday made their one-man advantage count. Goals from Glenn Whelan and Drew Talbot wrapped up a famous 4-2 victory and promotion back to the second tier.

The Wembley Games

1966 FA Cup Final

This game is perhaps the most “Wednesday-esque” trip to Wembley in the club’s history.

For the second FA Cup Final in a row, Wednesday faced Everton. Unfortunately, this time the Toffees got their revenge.

The Owls had played away in every round and struck early at Wembley, with Jim McCalliog scoring in the fourth minute. Then, in the 57th minute, David Ford put Wednesday 2-0 up and the cup looked within reach.

A mere 17 minutes later, Everton were 3-2 ahead.

Victory had been snatched from Wednesday, and there would be no way back. After the game, the Wednesday supporters showed their appreciation as the team completed a lap of honour.

1991 League Cup Final

This was, without doubt, the greatest day in the club’s modern history.

The Owls shocked Manchester United with a 1-0 victory, despite being in the Second Division following a surprise relegation the season before.

The winning goal came from John Sheridan in the 37th minute. It was a thing of beauty, and the “dink” can still be heard to this day.

That Wednesday team contained great players such as David Hirst, Roland Nilsson and Nigel Pearson. Chris Turner’s contribution in goal should also be remembered, as Manchester United did come close to an equaliser, only to be denied by superb goalkeeping.

The Owls were not to be denied. They battled their way to victory, mixing skill with sheer determination.

A mere 35 years later, we remain the last second-tier side to win a major domestic trophy.

And if you were watching Yorkshire TV that day, then you probably still have a dislike for monster trucks.

1993 FA Cup Semi-Final

This was one to remember.

The two Sheffield sides met in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, in a game far bigger than a standard derby fixture. The bragging rights were enormous. Victory would be cherished forever. Defeat would have been horrific.

The Owls were favourites, with a better team than a rather average Blades outfit. In the second minute, Chris Waddle fired home another early Wembley goal for Wednesday, sending a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner.

The rest of the game saw a one-man show from Alan Kelly, who denied Wednesday on multiple occasions. Despite Wednesday’s dominance, the game went to extra time after Alan Cork equalised against the run of play.

Thankfully, the Owls continued to dominate. Mark Bright headed home the winner to spark jubilation in the Wednesday end.

It could have been a lot more, but the Owls had done enough to secure a place in the final at the expense of their bitter rivals.

1993 League Cup Final

This was the first of three games against Arsenal in 1993, as Wednesday looked to repeat their League Cup triumph of 1991.

The Owls raced into an early lead when John Harkes fired home, becoming the first American to score at Wembley. Unfortunately, the lead lasted only 12 minutes before Paul Merson equalised.

Steve Morrow then scored the winner for Arsenal.

There were chances for both sides, but it ended as a day of frustration for Wednesday.

1993 FA Cup Final

Having lost out to Arsenal in the League Cup Final, the Owls were looking for revenge and a third FA Cup triumph.

Despite being known for playing the better football, Wednesday were up against a well-drilled Arsenal side. There was also an issue before the game, with converted striker Paul Warhurst unhappy at being moved back into defence.

In the game itself, the prolific Ian Wright opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 20th minute, putting Wednesday under pressure.

Then, in the 61st minute, David Hirst showed all his striking instincts to fire home a fine equaliser.

The two sides could not be separated, meaning a replay would be required.

1993 FA Cup Final Replay

This is the game that still brings back nightmares for Wednesdayites.

The memory of Chris Woods fumbling Andy Linighan’s late header continues to haunt us. It was a cruel end to a season in which a fantastic Wednesday team was left without a trophy for all its efforts.

2016 Championship Play-Off Final

This final was a real sliding-doors moment.

Sheffield Wednesday were 90 minutes from the Premier League. If the gamble had worked in Dejphon Chansiri’s first season, where would the club be now?

It is impossible to know, but the dream of a Premier League return felt very real that day at Wembley.

There was a carnival atmosphere in the Wednesday end, in stark contrast to a sparse and subdued Hull City following. Unfortunately, on the pitch, the Owls were flat and never truly rose to the occasion.

It cannot really be said that any Wednesday player did themselves justice, and Hull took advantage. If the players had matched the effort of the fans, victory would surely have been within reach.

Instead, the game was decided by a wonder strike from Mohamed Diamé, handing Hull a 1-0 victory.

2023 League One Play-Off Final

Sheffield Wednesday found themselves back in a League One Play-Off Final after an extraordinary semi-final comeback.

A 4-0 first-leg deficit had been overturned on a magical night at Hillsborough, so surely promotion was written in the stars.

However, local rivals Barnsley were not just there to make up the numbers or roll over.

The game was not a classic, but it was certainly not short on drama. Barnsley had a player sent off early in the second half, then missed a gilt-edged chance in extra time. It seemed easier to score, and I still do not know how they missed.

Wednesday had chances too, including “the best goal ruled out at Wembley”, fired home by Will Vaulks.

In the end, a diving header from Josh Windass in the 123rd minute won it and broke Barnsley hearts.

There was time for a winner after all.

Final Thought

Across more than a century of major finals, Sheffield Wednesday’s relationship with Wembley and cup final days has rarely been dull.

There has been glory, heartbreak, revenge, frustration, unforgettable goals and moments that have shaped generations of Wednesdayites.

From Spiksley and Sheridan to Waddle, Bright and Windass, the Owls have written some remarkable chapters on the biggest stages.

And when Wednesday do get there, one thing is usually guaranteed.

Drama.