The Steel City prepares for one of English football's most passionate rivalries under unprecedented circumstances, with both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United occupying the Championship relegation zone ahead of Sunday's derby clash.
A City Steeped in Football History
Despite the current struggles at Hillsborough and Bramall Lane, Sheffield's claim as football's birthplace remains undiminished. Richard Pillinger, chair of Hallam FC who play at the world's oldest football ground Sandygate, embodies this deep connection while overseeing preparations at Hillsborough stadium.
"Hallam were the first club to have their players wear black armbands, they were the first club to use a coin toss to start a game," Pillinger explains, highlighting the city's numerous football firsts. The club possesses the Youdan Cup, the oldest football trophy first awarded in 1867 and valued at £100,000 by Antiques Roadshow.
Contrasting Mindsets Divide Loyal Supporters
The two clubs approach the derby with characteristically different attitudes. Sheffield Wednesday fans, despite not winning a Steel City derby in 13 years and not scoring in one since 2017, maintain what musician and Wednesdayite Joe Carnall describes as inherent optimism.
"Wednesday fans think we deserve better," Carnall says. "We think we are better than our current status." This contrasts sharply with Sheffield United's perspective, where photographer and Blade Rob Nicholson notes their natural pessimism persists despite recent Premier League experience.
The Hillsborough megastore has seen remarkable support recently, turning over £500,000 in a week after fans ended their boycott following owner Dejphon Chansiri placing the club in administration. Meanwhile, United fans still lament their playoff final defeat to Sunderland in May, where a controversial VAR decision began their current downward spiral.
Administration and Optimism for Wednesday's Future
Sheffield Wednesday enter the derby on -4 points due to their financial situation, but administrator Paul Stanley from Begbies Traynor reveals significant interest from potential buyers.
"Could you see Sheffield Wednesday being a long-term Premier League club? Yeah, it's not a joke, is it," Stanley states. "This is a real sleeping giant, with massive potential." The administrator expects up to half a dozen official bids by this weekend's soft deadline.
Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt believes the city should more confidently promote its football heritage. "Part of the reason I put myself forward for election was because I felt frustrated we weren't shouting enough about the amazing things we have achieved," Hunt says, noting recent initiatives including blue plaques commemorating football legends and dedicated football hubs.
Despite the intense rivalry and mutual mockery - including the infamous "pigs" nickname whose origins remain unclear - both sets of supporters share more common ground than division. As James O'Hara, owner of Fagan's pub where fans from both sides gather, reflects: "In my normal life I have to be quite rational. With Sheffield Wednesday, I am utterly irrational. And it's quite freeing."
