CHRIS WADDLE

Chris Waddle, or the 'waddler', is my personal favourite ever Wednesday player. He was around at the right time to be popular with Wednesday fans young and old alike. Waddle played out his twilight years with the owls after making a move from French club Marseille, and spent four years dazzling the Hillsborough faithful with his skill and magic down the left wing - if only England had a player like Waddle to fill in on that troubled left hand side. Waddle of course made numerous appearences for England during his prime, but is unfortunately most famous for his penalty miss which is still ridiculed today. Probably his most famous moment in a Wednesday shirt came during the famous semi-final of 93' at Wembley, against Sheffield United. His free-kick will live long in the memory of every Wednesday fan. There are too many fabulous performances than most can remember, but one which particularly stands out in the memory is the game against West Ham, which is now referred to as the 'Waddle game' after terrorising the hammers defence all game. Chris is still seen by many at Hillsborough cheering on the lads, and will always be remembered by Wednesday fans young and old alike.

PAOLO DI CANIO

Paolo Di Canio is probably the most charismatic player ever to pull on the blue and white shirt. Signing for the owls in a deal which saw Regi Blinker go the other way to Celtic, Paolo made an immediate impact with wednesday, and finished top scorer in his first season with the owls. Paolo's career unfortunately came to a sad ending, following his infamous sending off against Arsenal, which resulted in him being banned for 3 months after pushing referee Paul Alcock over. Rumours were rife that manager Danny Wilson wasn't fond of the 'two Italians', and thus his lack of support for Paolo resulted in him leaving for West Ham before his ban had finished, and he never pulled on the blue and white shirt again.

ROLAND NILSSON

'Number 1, is Roland Nilsson, Number 2, is Roland Nilsson, Number 3, is Roland Nilsson...'

It's not often that a right back cements a legendary status with a football club, but Swedish international Roland Nilsson has certainly done that with the Owls. Roland was part of the legendary Owls team that managed to get to two cup finals in the same season (and unfortunately lose out on both occasion!) and also the team that went on a 'European Tour'. He was also part of the league cup winning team in 1991. His rock-solid right back performances made him a Swedish international, and led to then manager Ron Atkinson referring to him as the best football professional he has ever worked with. Big Ron signed Roland from IFK Gotenburg for a fee of £375,000 in 1989. Such was Roland's determination, that he flew back from a World Cup qualifyer with Sweden to play for Wednesday in the FA Cup final replay with Arsenal. Roland returned to his homtown team at the end of the 1993-1994 season, and it's unlikely that Wednesday fans will ever see a player like him don the blue and white stripes again.

DAVID HIRST

Hirsty is simply 'Mr. Wednesday' - a legend, probably the most loved Wednesday player of the modern era. Despite injuries late in his career, Hirst was known as the left footed Alan Shearer. He had pace, strength, and a left foot like no other. Hirsty moved to Hillsborough in the late 80's from local rivals Barnsley, but has since transformed in to a Hillsborough legend, and a big wednesday fan himself. I often see him with a pint and a pie chatting to fans in the South Stand. Hirst grabbed a regular place in the team in the early 90's and helped the team to the league cup win in 1991 and the European tour following two cup finals. His fine form for the owls earned him an England call up against Australia, but this, unfortunately, was not a regularity due to his injuries. Hirsty left for Southampton in 1997 for £2 million, but never seemed to regain the form he had with us in the early 90's. A true Wednesday legend.

JOHN SHERIDAN

John Sheridan, or 'shezza' as he was know around S6, was signed from Nottingham Forest, and proved to be one of the greatest signings the club has ever made. Shezza was the midfield engine that is important in any football club, and is what was missing both before he joined , and still after he left the club. Shezza is most famous for his wonder goal against Manchester United in the 1991 League Cup final which was the decisive goal to win the trophy for the Owls. Shezza was also instrumental in the clubs promotion back to the old Division One, scoring 12 goals from midfield to ensure promotion. His goals also helped Wednesday to their third place finish in 1990/1991 season and to the two cup finals of 1993. Shezza's form with Wednesday also helped him travel to two world cups with the Republic Of Ireland in 1990 and 1994, totalling 29 caps in all. Shezza started his career with rivals Leeds United, and since leaving Wednesday has travelled to Bolton, Doncaster Rovers, and Oldham Athletic where he is currently working as a coach.

DES WALKER

''You'll never beat Des Walker!'' was often the cry from the Kop at Hillsborough when Des was playing, and by watching his performances you will know why. After making his name with Nottingham Forest, Des moved to have a successful spell in Italy with Sampdoria before Trevor Francis brought him to Wednesday for £2.7 million. Des was nearly an ever present for the Owls, playing through injuries and illnesses that would have other players sitting on the bench or even at home. He made over 350 appearances for the owls in seven years with the club, but never managed to score a goal for the club. Towards the end of his stint with us, his rare mazey runs from the defence often lit up Hillsborough, who roared him on to score a goal for us, but to no avail. Des was also a great influence to the younger players who came through the ranks at Hillsborough, and was thought to be one of the greatest professionals in the game. Des also made 59 appearances for England during his glittering career. After leaving Wednesday, he joined the team where his career began - Nottingham Forest - and helped them to the play-offs in his first season. He now plays at league two side Mansfield Town for former team mate Carlton Palmer.

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