Sheffield Wednesday have always been a club which has attracted some top players over the years, and that trend is continuing today under new ownership, with names dropping down from the Premier League to join the revolution at Hillsborough.
Wednesday were a force to be reckoned with during the 90's, getting to numerous cup finals and staying in the Premier League until relegation in 2000.
During this time, and also before and after, the Owls fans have become accustomed to taking certain players under their wing so to speak, making them cult heroes at the club.
It is not always the finest player or the biggest talent that makes them a cult hero, and it is often a maverick type of player who ends up being so close with the home fans.
With this in mind, we FLW's Lee Connor has identified FIVE of the biggest cult heroes to play for Sheffield Wednesday over the years......
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!
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Jose Semedo
A member of the current team but a shoe in for this list is the Portuguese midfielder Semedo.
It says a lot about what fans think about you when they dedicate a full away day to you, terming it “Semedo Day”, with thousands of fans attending the league game away at Nottingham Forest with Semedo masks on.
Semedo signed for the Owls in 2011 and is well on his way to over 150 appearances for the club. While not a first team regular any more, he has a strong influence behind the scenes and is known to be one of the key men in the dressing room.
An ultimate professional, Semedo is still loved by fans today with the stands still chanting that now famous Semedo song, ‘he’s magic, you know......’
Terry Curran
One of few players to play for both sides of Sheffield, it is at Wednesday where Curran is revered as one of the all time greats and cult heroes.
Curran moved to the club in 1979, signed by then manager Jack Charlton to operate on the wings as he sought promotion.
It paid off, and the Owls won promotion in Curran's first season, with the man himself contributing over 20 goals to the cause.
Curran was a hugely popular figure at Hillsborough too, with stand out moments including recording the famous ‘singing the blues’ song, and having a scrap with an opposition player which caused Owls fans to overreact shall we say, resulting in the stadium being closed for four games.
Curran only spent three seasons at the club, but was massively popular and successful too. He signed for United in 1982, but never repeated his success from Hillsborough.
Reda Johnson
‘Reeeeeedaaaaaa’ was the chant you could here at every corner for a three year period between 2011 and 2014, and the big defender would often deliver the goods.
A goal record of nearly one in four for the Owls is better than a lot of strikers they have had over the years, but there was more to big Reda than just his goals.
He was as passionate as can be, and became loved by the fans during his time in S6, which included a promotion winning campaign back to the Championship where he was instrumental in securing 2nd spot.
He moved on to Coventry City, with many fans sad to see him go, but he will always be welcome and receive a good reception if he returns to Hillsborough.
Johnson is a definite for this list of cult heroes. He sums everything up about being one for his club.
Gerald Sibon
Ridiculed at first by many Owls fans for his performances and seemingly lack of ability following a transfer from Ajax, Sibon would go on to prove himself and those doubters wrong over the years.
He spent only 3 seasons with the club and became an iconic member of the team despite suffering relegation from the Premier League during his time.
Sibon’s biggest asset was his knack of scoring outstanding goals though, and while he managed just over 40 during those 3 years, a large percentage of these were spectacular strikes from distance.
Not everybody’s cup of tea, but Sibon makes this list for those spectacular goals he scored. He also won 2 consecutive player of the season awards with the club, demonstrating his ability further.
Lee Bullen
The final player to make this list is seen as Mr Sheffield Wednesday, and that is Lee Bullen.
Bullen spent four years as a player for the club between 2004 and 2008, before making a move north of the border with Falkirk.
He would return though to Sheffield in 2011, and signed a deal to become the club's youth coach, and he has remained on the books ever since, working his way up to now become a key member Carlos Carvalhal's management team as assistant manager.
During his playing days, Bullen would play wherever was needed, and always gave it 100%, endearing himself to fans along the way.
Fans love him, and if anyone is a shoe in for this list, it is him!
Owls fans, what do you think to these names? Do you have a personal cult hero at the club? Let us know in the comments below!