Matt Hamshaw will lead Sheffield Wednesday for the final time as interim manager this Sunday, aiming to repay the club he left in tears two decades ago. The 39-year-old, who rejoined the Owls in August, sees the home match against Blackpool as a chance to deliver three points and continue the club's upward trajectory.
Hamshaw's connection to Hillsborough runs deep. He progressed through the club's youth ranks after England schoolboy recognition, making his first-team debut in 2003. His initial stint ended painfully on May 30, 2005, when an injury sustained during the play-off semi-finals led to his release, preventing him from playing in the promotion-securing final. He made six appearances in total, experiencing Premier League, Championship and League One campaigns with Wednesday.
"I just feel like I owe something back to the football club to try and get it back to where it was," Hamshaw said. He described returning to the club last summer as "dead weird" but "nice," feeling immediately at home.
A fresh start at Hillsborough
Hamshaw was invited to tour the stadium upon his return and noted significant cosmetic and infrastructure changes, including upgrades to Hirsty's Bar. He stated the club is in "amazing hands" under new ownership, viewing it as the route back to the status Sheffield Wednesday's heritage and fanbase deserve. Despite being a Rotherham United fan with family links to Millmoor, Hamshaw never played for the Millers and chose to return to Hillsborough, believing in the club's foresight and commitment.
Challenges on the pitch
The immediate task is to secure a victory against Blackpool. Hamshaw was disappointed with Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Cambridge United, a result that leaves Wednesday ninth in League One with 19 points from 12 games. Their recent form reads one win, two draws and two losses from the last five. The team has scored 21 goals this season, with J. Lowe the top scorer on five, but consistency has been elusive. They sit six points behind leaders Huddersfield Town.
His interim tenure, which began in August 2023, concludes after approximately ten months with no mention of an extension. The focus now is solely on the weekend. Blackpool visit Hillsborough sitting 20th in the table, presenting a clear opportunity for Wednesday to build momentum ahead of upcoming FA Cup and Football League Trophy commitments.
The match kicks off at Hillsborough on Sunday, November 1st.
First reported at thestar.co.uk
