The Sheffield Wednesday's victory against Leeds United came at a time when the club’s fans are openly protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri.
The Owls have faced a troubled summer. Wages were not paid on time for the third month in a row, and the EFL also handed out sanctions.
Many supporters boycotted the match against Leeds in protest, leaving thousands of empty seats at Hillsborough. Despite this, Wednesday’s young side showed fight and unity.
With only 12 senior players available, manager Henrik Pedersen had to rely on youngsters. Four 20-year-olds and five teenagers started the game, giving the team an average age of just 21.
The inexperience did not show; against their Premier League rivals, Wednesday held their ground and kept the game level before sealing a famous win in the penalty shootout.
Manager Henrik Pedersen praised his players after the upset. “Really, really proud,” he told Sky Sports, adding,“How they stayed together, I am proud. They stepped up so much in a game like this. Big respect to our boys.”
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who was covering the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, also highlighted the unity on display, saying, “The supporters are standing together, the players are standing together, and that performance tonight was the epitome of togetherness.”
Anger at owner Chansiri has been building for months. Supporters are demanding that he sell the club, though many fears he will not step aside soon. At the Champion opener against Leicester, fans displayed a banner ready “Enough is Enough.”
Days later, some staged a mock funeral procession with a coffin, symbolizing what they called “the death of the football club.”
For the Leeds game, the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust urged fans to boycott and instead donate ticket money to Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
As a result, Hillsborough saw large empty sections, while about 3,000 Leeds fans appeared to outnumber the home support.
BBC Radio Sheffield’s Rob Staton said some fans feel “torn” about the protest.
“If fans do not come to this, they cannot go to the away games, and it is at the away game where the bigger protest are happening,” he explained.
Rob continued, “A lot of people even bought tickets for this game without attending, just to secure points for away matches.