Fare thee well, the fastest man in Yorkshire - A tribute to Sheffield Wednesday's Dominic Iorfa
The captain's armband was wrapped around Dominic Iorfa's arm as the final whistle went in his final game in a Sheffield Wednesday shirt.
It was fitting as he played his 222nd game for the Owls, because there was always a feeling that it could potentially be his last. The other 10 players on the pitch alongside him had 314 Wednesday appearances between them, and his departure is another end-of-an-era moment at Hillsborough.
Of those who were involved in the Miracle of Hillsborough and the famous Wembley win that follows, just Liam Palmer remains. It was just three years ago, but in many ways it feels like so much more. ‘Big Dom’ moving on leaves a void that won’t be easily filled - because in eight seasons he’s experienced practically everything that football has to offer.
The personal battles of serious injury and the mental toll that it inflicts. The joy of promotion, the heartache of relegation, and the uncertainty of unpaid wages, points deductions and transfer embargoes. His kids were born in Sheffield, they’ve donned blue and white just like him. A lot happens to a person in seven and a half years, and Iorfa knows that more than most.
You have to say, at £200,000 back in 2019, he’s given the Owls serious value for money. From his debut goal against Rotherham United and the Player of the Year award that followed not long afterwards to his brilliant display under the arch against Barnsley, and so much in between. In a decade of so many bad deals at Hillsborough, Iorfa’s was one that lands heavily into the success column. 222 games, seven goals, five assists, and plenty of marauding runs from the back.
Seeing him galloping up the field in full flight was a joy to behold, and it was never a surprise that his ‘Fastest man in Yorkshire’ chant caught on. Injury took a toll, of course, but he always fought back, always put in the work, and always kept a smile on his face outwardly, no matter how tough it got.
One of the best geezers you could ever wish to meet…
Palmer knows what he’s been through, what he’s sacrificed. “Let me tell you ‘bout my brother though,” he said on Instagram this weekend. “Big Dom, it’s been some ride mate. Ups, downs and everything in between. A pleasure to share a dressing room with you for seven and half years. One of the best geezers you could ever wish to meet. Wishing you and the gang all the best with whatever’s next!”
Dom gave the best years of his career to Sheffield Wednesday. It wasn’t always easy, and there were times where he could’ve left - but didn’t. There was never any throwing of toys, no spitting of dummies. Selected or not selected, he just got on with it. He even put up with the biannual nonsense from us in the media about whether he was still the ‘fastest man in Yorkshire’ when new players had been signed.
That leads on to my next point, too. Dominic Iorfa the bloke. I’m in a privileged position as both a Wednesdayite and a Wednesday reporter, because I actually get to chat to - sometimes even spend time with - those who represent my football club. I’d probably consider it my greatest privilege in this job.
And Dom is an absolute gent.
Whether our chats were in person and on record, or in Firepit Rocks after a big result or two, he always had time to talk. Politeness, openness and authenticity aren’t a given in this industry, but he always offered all three.
Someone will have to step up now, a new fastest man is required. But the last one has undoubtedly left his mark, and I hope that one day his chant rings around Hillsborough once again when he returns to visit the city that was home for the best part of a decade.
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