As another year flies by and the 2016/17 season surpasses the half way stage, Sheffield Wednesday can look back at 2016 as nothing short of positive.

Despite a play-off final loss back in May, giant leaps have been made towards the Premier League since the arrival of Chairman Dejphon Chansiri.

Sheffield Wednesday are now established as one of the stronger outfits in the Championship and are once again possible candidates for promotion as we enter 2017.

Many teams in the Football League would give up everything to be in the position the Owls find themselves in – a club who are heading in the right direction – both on and off the field of play.

Sheffield Wednesday technically finished as the 24th best team in the country last season. The Owls will hope to go one better in 2017 as they fell short at the final hurdle only eight months ago.

As 2017 is now upon us, Shoot!’s Sheffield Wednesday representative Louis Shackshaft takes a look back at the top ten memories of 2016…

1. Ross Wallace screamer v Fulham (January 2, 2016) 

Sheffield Wednesday went through a period of scoring wonder goals over a two month period in early 2016.

A Ross Wallace screamer was probably the pick of the bunch against Fulham away at Craven Cottage as the Owls’ number 33 cut inside from the right and smashed the ball into the top corner from over 35 yards.

This goal sealed victory for the Owls who ran out 1-0 winners to complete the New Year celebrations. 

2. ‘New’ Club Crest (January 24, 2016)

January 2016 saw the Chairman announce a new club crest ahead of the new season. In fact, the ‘new’ crest was that of earlier decades with a few minor changes.

Although some fans were initially underwhelmed with the change, time past and the crest is now widely accepted amongst Wednesdayites.

July 15, 2016, also saw the club announce the new kits ready for the 2016/17 campaign.

A little controversy was made due to the home shirt having a lack of stripes. Both crest and home kit have now become the norm.

Many fans have the view, if Sheffield Wednesday are winning, who cares? 

3. George Hirst pens professional contract (March 30, 2016) 

There has been much hype surrounding George Hirst due to his father, David, being a Wednesday legend.

When George signed his professional contract in March, the announcement was slightly blown out of proportion due to the expectation amongst the fans.

However, Hirst, who is still only 17 years of age, has made two first-team appearances for the Owls.

The future looks bright for the Wednesday and England Under-18 prospect, who continues to bang in goals at both youth and international level. 

4. Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Cardiff City (April 30, 2016) 

Wednesday needed to win this fixture against Cardiff to seal a play-off position.

The Bluebirds, who were sat seventh in the league, would have gained ground on the Owls if they were to cause an upset at Hillsborough that day.

A Gary Hooper brace, plus a Lee Peltier own goal saw Wednesday run out 3-0 winners in front of almost 32,000 spectators.

The win had Hillsborough rocking and was the start of the playoff journey. 

5. Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Brighton (May 13, 2016) 

Sheffield Wednesday executed a perfect display of football in this play-off semi-final first leg.

Over 34,000 Wednesday fans were bouncing from start to finish under the sunset of S6.

A Ross Wallace thunderbolt on the stroke of half-time gave the Owls a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

A precise hit from Kieran Lee (Pictured) in the 73rd minute was enough to seal the 2-0 Wednesday win.

In the return leg, Sheffield Wednesday confirmed a play-off final fixture after a 3-1 aggregate victory over Brighton, despite constant heavy pressure.

The pre-party had begun as the Owls players showed off their dancing skills in the away dressing room. 

6. Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Hull City (May 28, 2016) 

Everything about this day will live long in the memory for years to come.

The only disappointing factor for Wednesdayites was the result.

Having waited over fifteen years for an opportunity to return to the Premier League, this day was not one to be missed.

Almost 50,000 Owls fans stepped into Wembley Stadium and sang loud and proud for the full 90 minutes.

Unfortunately, Sheffield Wednesday were not at the races that day and Hull City ran out deserved winners.

Last years over achievement by reaching the play-off final is definitely a sign of things to come as Sheffield Wednesday once again have a fighting chance of promotion. 

7. Sheffield Wednesday sign Adam Reach (August 31, 2016) 

Adam Reach arrived at Hillsborough for an undisclosed fee from Middlesbrough.

However, reports claim the fee was a new Owls record thought to be around £5m.

Reach has developed himself as a first-team player, although he is still only 23 years of age.

The Wednesday number nine can play either left-back, left wing or in the number ten role.

Reach is slowly, but surely, becoming a fans favourite at S6 and his development and progression will only get better given time. 

8. Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 Bristol City (September 13, 2016) 

Before kick-off, you may not have expected such an entertaining game that will be remembered by Owls fans for many years.

With kick-off delayed due to a sudden heavy downpour, Wednesday went into the break 2-0 down with one of their worst first-half performances of the season.

The second-half saw Sam Hutchinson sent off, Bristol City miss a penalty and subsequently Gary O’Neil sent off also after bringing down Gary Hooper on the halfway line.

With the game heading for a draw after goals from Steven Fletcher and Barry Bannan, Wednesday sealed the victory when Kieran Lee side footed home a 96th minute winner sending the Hillsborough crowd into disarray.

What a turn around!

9. Ross Wallace snatches tactical note (October 16, 2016)

Playing the clown, Ross Wallace amusingly stole the tactical note of Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner away from Terriers forward Elias Kachunga.

Something not seen before by football fans around the world, the short video went viral online and was as entertaining as Sheffield Wednesday’s performance, who deservedly took all three points that day courtesy of a Fernando Forestieri penalty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR7GcrEz3Dk

10. Newcastle United 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday (December 26, 2016) 

No Owls fan could have asked for a better belated Christmas present than travelling home with all three points after defeating the league leaders on Boxing Day.

Not only did Sheffield Wednesday come away with the points, they ran out deserved winners after implementing a successful game plan to accompany an impressive performance.

This win also reminded the top five in the league that Sheffield Wednesday are still serious contenders for promotion as the second-half of the season gets underway this New Year.