This weekend Henrik Pedersen’s men head to Leyton Orient for the first league game of the campaign, after which Bradford City make the trip to S6 for what is set to be a bumper affair in front of over 30,000 people.

While not all the changes will be visible to everyone, Arise have ploughed millions into getting their South Yorkshire home back up to scratch after years of neglect, and are hoping that supporters will feel the benefit from game one.

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The Owls secured a 1-0 victory and their place in the Carabao Cup second round on Saturday afternoon, and now await this evening’s draw to see who they’ll face in the next phase of the competition.

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The 36-year-old is a ‘new’ signing for the Owls this summer. But it’s also a move that’ll almost certainly see him break the 500-appearance mark for one of the oldest clubs in English football. Only a handful of others have achieved it, and even fewer who weren’t locals.

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Check out the video below as Sil talks about his footballing role models, developing at Chesterfield, and what he learnt from former Wednesday defender, Chey Dunkley, during their time sharing a changing room together.

With the 2026/27 season upon us, I’ve made a TWW subscription half price so everyone can access the full scope of our content for just £2.50 - click the link below if you’re interested!

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The estate agent, which was founded by Wednesdayite, Lewis Hughes, began working with the Owls towards the end of last season, and as a new dawn continues to rise at Hillsborough, were eager to continue that relationship into 2026/27.

Now, in conjunction with Wednesday, they’ve announced a project that will get three supporters to every League One clash over at S6 free of charge. Their aim? To try and make sure that SWFC is for everyone.

Speaking to The Wednesday Word, Lewis explained, “We’ve been working very closely with the club over the summer - particularly the commercial team and James Todd - to bring together our initiative and this scheme alongside a wider project for our partnership and brand growth.

“The club have been unwaveringly supportive, and we are grateful for the platform they have given us to showcase our business values through their Regional Plus Partnership scheme. I’m excited to be on board for the long-term, and to be so close to the club which means so much to me personally”.

So what is the Home From Home initiative?

Essentially, it’s a case of being able to give back to the same community that has given so much to us as we’ve built the business from ground zero. For each and every home game throughout this season, we will be giving away 3x tickets to those who deserve it the most.

We’re very aware that football is a working-class sport, where families and friends should be able to come together, but in the same breath, there are plenty of people who can’t attend for whatever reason.

Here at HFEA, we are in a fortunate position to be able to give people that opportunity, that we ourselves have been lucky to have as part of our lives for so many years now.

Who is it for?

Absolutely everybody! Sheffield Wednesday is a huge part of the core of this community, and whether it be to experience Hillsborough for the first time, or if the individual is having a rough ride in life, or it’s simply someone who wants to enjoy a family day out which they otherwise wouldn’t be able to - that’s why we’re doing this.

Why is this scheme so important to Hughes?

We’re family owned. We live and breathe this community, and all of our team live within a stone’s throw of the club. For us, as a business that rarely switches off, football represents an opportunity to be us for a few hours at the weekend, to be able to be a brother, a friend, a son, to spend time socially with the people we care about the most, and to have conversations that without football wouldn’t be had.

This scheme has a much deeper meaning than just ‘the football’… It’s an opportunity to connect and to switch off from the pressures of everyday life for those who need it.

Hughes Family Estate Agents collaborated with The Wednesday Word on this article in order to raise awareness for their ‘Home From Home’ initiative.

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Mitchell has been a one-club man in his career so far, joining the Lions at U15 level before climbing up the ranks to play 196 times for his boyhood club - a club that his dad’s side of the family all support.

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The Owls head into competitive action this weekend for the first time in 2026/27 as they face Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, and a week later travel to Leyton Orient for their first League One outing of the campaign.

Wednesday are by no means finished in the transfer market as they continue to bolster their ranks, however they already have a side far more experienced than the one littered with youngsters that was asked to constantly take to the field last time around.

Bannan is technically a new signing, but isn’t really. The Scot knows as much about Pedersen as any other player at the club, and worked closely with the Dane prior to his brief sojourn at Millwall.

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The American, now in his new SWFC jacket, was all smiles as he rocked up to the Globall Hotel, doing the rounds in Telki as he greeted all of the faces who now make up this football club that he’s bought. Some he’s met before, others he hasn’t, but whether it’s coach, player, chef – or even media – everyone is afforded a moment.

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In the searing Hungarian heat the Owls were put through their paces at the Globall Hotel outside Budapest, but their work on the pitch wasn’t the first efforts of the day. Before each session the players work through a 25-minute personalised gym programme, and they’ve worked up a sweat before they’re even on the grass.

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The Globall Hotel, which about 35 minutes outside central Budapest, is a four-star sports and wellness venue located in the village of Telki. To get there from the capital you leave the hustle and bustle behind, soon finding yourself on winding country roads where the speed limits vary so much that this writer – driving on the right side of the road - has almost certainly racked up a traffic violation or two.

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It’s just 22 days until the Owls host Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the Carabao Cup on August 8^th, and to say that it’s all hands on deck over at Hillsborough would be an understatement.

In many ways, much of the work will go unseen – even when fans return to the stands over at S6. Arise are making huge leaps in terms of the stadium infrastructure as they look to right the wrongs of Dejphon Chansiri, dragging Wednesday’s famous home into the 21^st century.

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With a new goalkeeper, two new defenders, a handful of midfield additions and a couple of fresh attacking options, things are starting to look a lot better for Henrik Pedersen ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Wednesday aren’t done yet, of course, with around 10 further arrivals being anticipated between now and the end of the transfer window in September. But they’re at least in a position to field a competitive side - which wasn’t the case not too long back.

With who is through the door, though, who would make their best starting XI if everyone was fit and the season started tomorrow?

Not everybody is match-ready yet, but we thought we’d take a look at who is actively contracted for next season and try to pick the best set of starters as things stand.

Goalkeeper

This one is pretty easy, for now at least. Joe Lumley is the only senior goalkeeper in Pedersen’s ranks at present, with Logan Stretch and Jack Phillips seen as the up-and-comers underneath him. Cameron Dawson has also been training with the club.

It’s understood that bringing in another shot-stopper over the summer is part of the plan, so Lumley’s place against Bradford City on the opening day of Wednesday’s League One campaign is by no means guaranteed.

Defence

The expectation is that the Owls will be switching to a back four again for the season ahead, which means more traditional full-backs rather than the wing-backs that we saw over the course of the 2025/26 campaign.

In terms of contracted defenders, it could be argued that Yan Valery should be starting at right back - but the general consensus is that he will not be a Wednesday player for much longer. Jordi Liongola is considered to be an option there, but for the time being could be utilised further up the pitch. With that in mind, stalwart Liam Palmer is the most likely option in that position for now.

Central defence, meanwhile, is the position where Wednesday are most well-stocked. Ricardo Santos and Sil Swinkels have been signed, Liam Cooper has extended his stay, while Gabriel Otegbayo and Ernie Weavers will be hoping to add to their minutes. For many fans, however, the most exciting prospect is the return of Di’Shon Bernard.

For the time being, we’d suggest that - when fully fit - Bernard and Cooper are two excellent options at this level, especially with the latter being a left-footer to bring balance to the backline. It’s actually going to be fascinating to see how Pedersen lines up centrally.

Left back is potentially the most easily predicted position on the pitch at this point in time, with Max Lowe practically a guaranteed starter there. They’re looking for a more attacking wide left player, like Tayo Adaramola, but Lowe is expected to start whenever available.

Midfield

Heading into central midfield, and two players look very well-placed to start for Wednesday this season. Barry Bannan is back and is likely to occupy to number 10 role that he performed so well in during the last promotion, while Callum Slattery is one of the club’s most exciting summer signings and can play right through the middle.

The other central role is one that’s currently up for grabs, and by the looks of the line up against West Bromwich Albion, Sean Fusire could be in with a shout there. Jarvis Thornton will be itching to get more senior minutes, but it’s also a position that Wednesday are eager to strengthen further in the coming weeks.

Wingers

Several Wednesdayites will be excited at the prospect of seeing their team play with wingers again, and there’s some exciting talent to play in the wide positions. Louie Barry is one that you’d expect to start more often than not, and for now Jordi Liongola could be called upon on the right side.

Will Grainger has the ability to play out wide, but is likely to be utilised more centrally when used. Either in the 10 role or even further forward. Charlie McNeill could fall into the same category, too, but it’s known that there’s a hunt on to bring more wide players in to bolster Pedersen’s wing options.

Striker

Up front is an area that the Owls definitely need more depth in. When it comes to actual forwards, Wednesday really only have a handful of options. Jamal Lowe is one of them, George Brown - when fit again - is another, while Devlan Moses could be a player they look to loan out in search of regular senior game time this year.

Pedersen is on the hunt for a big number nine in the Michael Smith mould, and until that player has been found, we think that Harry Gray could be the best striker available. He may be young, but he’s got recent League One experience, and height on his side. Lowe is obviously the more seasoned choice given his career, but Leeds United will want the 17-year-old playing.

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There was a point not too long ago where the Owls had just nine players who could be considered ‘senior’, and some of them only had a couple of professional seasons under their belts at best.

Now, on the back of Barry Bannan, Louie Barry and Joe Lumley being officially announced, things are looking at lot sturdy for Henrik Pedersen and plenty of new signings took to the field today against West Bromwich Albion at St. George’s Park.

That game was played behind-closed-doors, and in their training kit, but gave the Dane a chance to see how a lot of his new recruits in a match scenario rather than just on the training pitch.

Wednesday were beaten 3-0 by the Baggies, with Krystian Bielik and JJ Morgan scoring in the first half, and Alex Mowatt rounding things off in the second. Nathaniel Chalobah and Wanya Marcal were the two trialists who featured.

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This week I was delighted to launch our new range of Wednesday merchandise thanks to the fantastic design work of fellow Owl, Lee Wildgoose, and I wanted to thank everybody for the kind words so far.

We’ve made the commitment to donate £2 from every single sale to local charities, with £1 going to PACT and another £1 going to Bright Young Dreams. That donation is going to remain for as long as the store exists.

Regarding the gear itself, I’ve opted to go for higher-quality stuff - and I’m selling them for cheaper than was recommended. Being fully transparent, it makes the profit margins smaller, but means that you’re getting a good product without paying over the odds for it. That was something that was important to me.

Anyway, that’s enough from me - I’ll let the designs do the talking! Let me know what you think!

You can find the full range of TWW Store gear by clicking this link, and your 10% discount will be applied automatically at the checkout.

With Thomas Tuchel’s men possibly heading there soon should they make it past the Democratic Republic of Congo, here at The Wednesday Word we thought we’d take a look at a trip that had a bit of everything – goals, red cards, terrible sickness and even a run-in with the local law enforcement.

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Plenty has changed since Wednesday were last in this division, and there are several teams that the Owls will face that - while they aren’t exactly unknown quantities as clubs - are in different circumstances to previous meetings.

With that in mind, and in order to get ourselves better acquainted with those that Henrik Pedersen and his side will face in 2026/27, we’ve tracked down journalists and experts from all 23 clubs that will make up the division. Part one was released recently.

In part two, which consists of M - W, there’s once more an interesting mix of promotion hopefuls, relegation battlers and possible surprise packages… They’ll all be hoping to hit the ground running in August.

Welcome back to our quick L1 guide…

Mansfield Town – Georgia Goulding

Mansfield Town will be eager to kick on from a season that saw them secure their highest league finish in almost 40 years, despite initially worrying about a relegation scrap.

Stags have already made key decisions this summer, including the arrival of David McGoldrick. Eager to sign a proven goal-scorer, McGoldrick fits the bill regardless of his age.

The puzzle pieces seem to be slotting together for Nigel Clough, who is edging closer to breaking the club’s record for most games managed.

MK Dons – Liam Connolly

As a Dons fan, I’m optimistic about our return to League One. I think we’ve got enough quality and experience to establish ourselves comfortably in League One, with room to grow, making a strong start with the addition of Charlie Goode.

"I’m expecting big seasons from the veterans Callum Paterson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, as well as the club recruiting some key players to boost the starting XI. If everything clicks, we could even have an outside shot at the play-offs.

Notts County – Adam Hassell

Notts County are looking forward to their first season back in League One for eleven years. The bulk of their Wembley promotion-winning squad have remained, with the odd addition so far.

Notts will feel they need some more experienced quality through the door to be able to compete, though staying in the third tier this year would surely constitute success.

Oxford United – Malachi Obrey

It’s been an unexpected summer already at Oxford. Matt Bloomfield has been unexpectedly replaced by the shiny new form of Aaron Ramsey. We’re yet to see what his style looks like, but he wants to be front-footed and bring elite behaviours to the U’s - the question is, can he do that in League One?

The squad has a strong core at present. There will inevitably be a few outgoings should price tags be matched and United will need to bring in some solid depth. It’s a tough season to call but certainly an interesting one.

Peterborough United – Alan Swann

Two poor League One seasons in a row have diluted optimism levels. Good players keep leaving and weaker players keep arriving. Big summer for the recruitment team ahead. It looks a much tougher League One this time around so, right now, I’d see mid-table as a success.

Plymouth Argyle – James Stables

After managerial chaos over the past three seasons, life at Argyle at the moment feels mercifully stable. After a brilliant second half of the season, keeping the heart of the squad intact is the mission. We’ve signed loanee Wes Harding on a permanent contract and will be trying to do the same for Alex Mitchell.

Whether we retain or cash in on star strikers Laurent Tolaj and Bim Pepple will dictate how much business we need to do this summer. If rumours of investment come true, it would be a game-changer - watch this space.

Reading – Ramy Abou-Setta

It’s yet to be seen what Reading can achieve under Leam Richardson with a pre-season a ‘must’, as the former Wigan manager consistently repeated throughout the last League One season. There is still the possibility that the Royals could lose starter Charlie Savage and fan-favourite Andy Rinomhota, which could put a dent in the squad’s ability to perform next season if not replaced swiftly with the right profiles.

Matt Ritchie has also left following the announcement of his retirement and return to Bournemouth as a Technical Director - leaving the recruitment team with another gap to plug. It’s really unclear how Reading will fare next season with a considerable amount of changes happening on the pitch and behind the scenes - but they have made their goal clear promotion back into the Championship.

Stevenage – Neil Metcalfe

Reaching the League One play-offs is always going to be a tough ask for Stevenage but they managed it last year and deservedly so. That lifted the hopes that Boro could repeat the trick and while a quiet start to the summer hasn’t doused them entirely, they have cooled slightly, not helped by the loss of defender Charlie Goode and the expected departure of midfielder Harvey White. Still, hope springs eternal they say, and Boro are a team that love upsetting the odds.

Stockport County – Sam Byrne

After a summer of major change, Stockport probably enter the season as one of League One’s biggest unknowns. With Simon Wilson and Dave Challinor departing, Jimmy McNulty takes Challinor’s place and Damien Allen has been promoted from within to effectively replace Wilson.

It feels like the real end of an era for County, so it really does feel like the club’s first unpredictable season (in terms of league position) in several years.

Wigan Athletic – Paul Kendrick

Wigan Athletic remain something of a blank canvas at the moment. From last season’s squad, 14 players have left, eight are still to re-sign, and five are on the transfer list.

Two new signings have arrived - but that’s barely touched the sides. Gary Caldwell won this division with Wigan in 2015/16. This time, however, he’ll have a mid-table - as opposed to the highest - budget to work with.

Wycombe Wanderers – James Richings

It will be Wycombe’s sixth consecutive season in League One following their relegation from the Championship in 2021, with the club finishing in the top half in each of those campaigns. Two of those seasons have ended in play-off heartbreak, with promotion narrowly missed.

The club was taken over in 2024 by Feliciana EFL Limited, fronted by Georgian-Kazakhstani billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze, whose ambition is to deliver Premier League football within the next decade.

The Chairboys have made steady progress since 2021, but after 2025 and a somewhat different 2026, could 2027 finally be their year?

We’ll be touching base with all 23 of these excellent journalists right either before the opening game or just after the transfer window closes - and we’ll see if their opinions on what lies ahead for their respective clubs has got better… Or worse.

Thanks for being part of The Wednesday Word family. Your fiver a month helps fund the entire project - whether it’s the articles, the YouTube or the social media platforms. So your support is hugely appreciated!

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The 17-year-old is away with Wales U19s as he talks to The Wednesday Word, and – just like at club level – he’s playing further up the age tiers than he probably should be. In the past two years he’s gone from banging in goals alongside Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri for the U18s, to finding form for the U21s, to scoring his first senior goal for his boyhood club.

At every turn he’s technically been too young to do what he’s doing. Add in his time away with his national team, and he’s barely had a chance to take it all in.

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Wednesday is practically all the 21-year-old has ever known, joining his boyhood club at the young age of nine before honing his craft at Middlewood Road prior to his step up into the seniors under Darren Moore.

A loan spell with Carlisle United gave him a first taste at regular first-team football, and a year ago he became a fully-fledged international after making his debut for Zimbabwe out in Morocco. Then came the 2025/26 campaign as he became one of the more experienced players almost overnight amid a plethora of exits.

Now, after 35 Championship appearances, a first professional goal for the club, and a mini tournament with the Warriors, Fusire is enjoying some downtime before the work starts again over at S6.

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Plenty has changed since Wednesday were last in this division,and there are several teams that the Owls will face that - while they aren’t exactly unknown quantities as clubs - are in different circumstances to previous meetings.

With that in mind, and in order to get ourselves better acquainted with those that Henrik Pedersen and his side will face in 2026/27, we’ve tracked down journalists and experts from all 23 clubs that will make up the division.

In part one, which consists of A - L, there’s a mixture of promotion hopefuls, relegation battles and maybe-men… All of whom are hoping to hit the ground running in August.

Welcome to our quick L1 guide…

AFC Wimbledon – Matt Singfield

I am expecting a very tough season in League One. Credit must go to Johnnie Jackson for keeping us safe on the penultimate day last season, but it will be a challenge to replicate that. With one of the smallest budgets in the EFL, surviving another campaign in the third tier would be a huge success.

Barnsley – Doug O’Kane

Barnsley will be looking to arrest a slide of five seasons in which they have finished in a lower place than the last. Daniel Stendel is hugely popular but this squad is nowhere near as proven, or complete, as when he arrived in 2018. Players are expected to be sold but the Reds are confident of a strong summer of incoming transfers.

Blackpool – Amos Wynn

Blackpool have a point to prove heading into the new season. They started the last campaign with ambitions of fighting for promotion, but ended up in a relegation battle.

While it was touch and go for long periods, the Seasiders ultimately ended up surviving comfortably, and will need to build on their strong form from the last nine games.

Having gone big last summer, this year could be about ensuring recruitment is more precise, and giving Ian Evatt the tools he needs to play a certain brand of football.

Bradford City – Nathan Atkinson

City will be buoyed after coming fourth in their first season back in League One for seven years… But losing in the play-off semis was a bitter pill to swallow, as is captain Max Power’s departure to Wigan.

However, they lacked a prolific goalscorer last season, which they may have already resolved by signing Burton hotshot Jake Beesley.

Bromley – Machel St Patrick Hewitt

As Bromley approach their inaugural season in League One, there is eager anticipation about the challenge that awaits. There is no doubt that Bromley will enter the new season with the same playing style that has served them so well and delivered two promotions in three seasons.

However, there will have to be upgrades if Bromley are to not face a season of struggle. Andy Woodman has a history of pulling rabbits out of the transfer bag. Expectation is the same again.

Burton Albion – David Wilson-Turner

Burton are heading into their 9th consecutive season as a League One club, the longest of any 2026-27 participant, and I am hopeful that we can begin to change the narrative of our many relegation battles in previous seasons.

Under Gary Bowyer, we have steadily improved since his appointment in December 2024, and despite the expected loss of some assets this summer, it is hoped we can continue our upward trajectory this season!

Cambridge United – Liam Apicella

Survival - that will be the first aim for Cambridge. But with a driven character like Neil Harris at the helm, there is a sense that they will be looking for a little more than that.

Recruitment will be key. Some big characters and leaders have left this summer, and they need replacing. Although unproven at the level, Callum Stead certainly looks a good start to their business

Doncaster Rovers – Ricky Charlesworth

Grant McCann’s second spell as Rovers manager, to date, has been constant improvement year-on-year but this season poses arguably the toughest challenge in replicating that feat.

If they can hang on to star men Bailey and Molyneux and add some oven-ready League One performers then a top 10 finish is more than achievable.

Huddersfield Town - Steven Chicken

This will be Huddersfield’s third season in League One after a pair of disappointing campaigns finishing several places short of the play-offs. Hopefully mid-season sporting director appointment Chris Markham – formerly of Bolton – and new head coach Martin Drury can make it third time the charm.

Adding more intensity, athleticism and consistency is a priority for a side that attacked well but couldn’t defend in the first half of last season, and vice versa for much of the latter half.

Leicester City – Josh Holland

Leicester find themselves in possibly their lowest state in their 142-year history. Relegation to League One after plotting an instant return to the Premier League means a rebuild is a must. Two months before the 26/27 season kicks-off and the wheels are slowly beginning to turn.

Russell Martin is the frontrunner to take over from Gary Rowett but the ex-Rangers boss hasn’t said yes just yet. His primary job, or whoever comes in, will be to trim the squad and reconnect with the fans.

Leyton Orient - Brendan Pitcher

The repercussions of Richie Wellens’ quite astonishing rant that followed Leyton Orient’s final day survival are still being felt around E10. A number of players remain on the transfer list with no sign of movement as yet. League One Player of the Season Dom Ballard is almost certain to follow them out the exit door.

It’s certainly going to be a challenge for Wellens and incoming Director of Football Scott Mitchell to knit things together ahead of the upcoming season with survival once again the key aim.

Luton Town – James Cunliffe

Luton look serious about mounting a promotion challenge. Securing Jordan Clark and Liam Walsh on new deals could prove their best business of the summer, unless they land Kasey Palmer permanently from Hull. Jack

Wilshere wanted recruitment done early and to hit the ground running when the season starts. With George Johnston signed from Bolton and some players already back training, they’re backing up their words.

Stay tuned right here on The Wednesday Word as we wrap up with part two with M - W, and we’ll also be touching base with all of our experts after the transfer window closes to see if their viewpoints have changed at all.

Thanks for being part of The Wednesday Word family. Your fiver a month helps fund the entire project - whether it’s the articles, the YouTube or the social media platforms. So your support is hugely appreciated!

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Unlike a lot of his teammates, the 20-year-old isn’t a local. But while he’s not a Sheffield lad by birth, after spending the best part of a decade in blue and white, Moses knows exactly what this football club means to the people that support it.

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