Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday: Adam Hammill's Hillsborough red card has added fuel to the fire

Barnsley winger Adam Hammill insists he has 'extra incentive' to perform today following his Hillsborough red card.
Barnsley's Adam Hammill is sent off in the South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in December.Barnsley's Adam Hammill is sent off in the South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in December.
Barnsley's Adam Hammill is sent off in the South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in December.

The 29-year-old was sent off for a clash with Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sam Hutchinson in Barnsley’s 2-0 defeat in December. Both players lunged in for the ball, and, at first, it seemed like Hutchinson was the player to be shown the red card, only for Hammill to walk.

The winger still feels it was a harsh decision, and unworthy of a red card. “For me, on a personal level, there’s extra incentive,” said Hammill. “Obviously in the last game against them I was sent off and don’t think it was warranted. So that adds fuel to the fire. I have got more to prove in this game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I won the first challenge and the ball broke to a 50-50. I only went to protect myself, there was no contact made, and 10 years ago when I first started playing that would have been a slap on the wrist for both of us and we would have played on. But the game’s changed and you’ve to respect the rules and accept the referee’s decision. I was a little bit bewildered when it happened.

“In games like this, fans want to see challenges, the flair and it all adds spice to the proceedings.”

Today’s derby will arguably see Sam Winnall – the striker who swapped the Reds for Wednesday in January – get an unsavoury welcome.

“Sam who?” smiled Hammill. “It will be interesting, he did absolutely tremendous here. But, unfortunately, he has got the wrong colour on Saturday, so it’s our job to stop him scoring by whatever means possible. As players, we know what the game means to the fans. This game doesn’t need any build-up, it’s a local derby, it’s a game everyone will be talking about; at work, in schools.

“I’ve already had people pulling me to one side about it. The lads know what this game means to the fans.”