History of Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

The History of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. covers almost 150 years of both success and failure of the football club from Sheffield, England. Established in 1867 the club would see early regional success followed by a rocky transition to professionalism. Although it has spent the majority of its Football League years in the top flight its position within the league has varied from the very top to almost slipping to the fourth tier.

The 19th century

The early years

The club was initially a cricket team named The Wednesday Cricket Club after the day of the week when they played their matches. The footballing side of the club was established to keep the team together and fit during the winter months. SWFC was born on the evening of Wednesday 4 September 1867 at a meeting at the Adelphi Hotel in Sheffield. The formation was announced two days later with the following statement in the Sheffield Independent newspaper:

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY CRICKET CLUB AND FOOTBALL CLUB. – At a general meeting held on Wednesday last, at the Adelphi Hotel, it was decided to form a football club in connection with the above influential cricket club, with the object of keeping together during the winter season the members of this cricket club. From the great unanimity which prevailed as to the desirability of forming the club, there is every reason to expect that it will take first rank. The office bearers were elected as follows: - President, Mr. B. Chatterton; vice-president and treasurer, Mr. F....... ...

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