Sheffield Wednesday relegated in Feb after derby defeat

LONDON: Sheffield Wednesday suffered a historic and painful blow as their relegation from the Championship was confirmed in February following a 2-1 defeat to city rivals Sheffield United.

The Steel City derby proved to be the final chapter in a disastrous campaign, with Wednesday unable to avoid the drop despite there still being 13 matches left in the season, the earliest relegation ever recorded in English Football League history.

United seized control early in the contest, racing into a 2-0 lead in the first half and putting Wednesday on the brink. Although Charlie McNeill pulled one back in the 53rd minute, raising brief hopes of a comeback, the visitors could not find an equaliser, even against a 10-man United side.

The defeat capped off a torrid run of form. Wednesday have not won a match since September and are currently enduring an 11-game losing streak in all competitions. Their struggles have been compounded by an 18-point deduction earlier in the season for financial breaches, leaving them stranded on minus seven points.

With a massive gap separating them from safety, 41 points behind West Bromwich Albion, survival had long looked unlikely. The derby loss simply made it official.

Manager Henrik Pedersen admitted the significance of the moment, describing it as a sad day for a club of Wednesday’s stature, particularly given the timing and circumstances.

Off the pitch, the situation remains equally uncertain. The 158-year-old club entered administration in October and is currently up for sale, adding financial instability to their on-field collapse.

Despite relegation being confirmed, Pedersen emphasised that the team will continue to fight through the remaining fixtures, aiming to restore some pride and give supporters something to hold onto after a season to forget.