'Sheffield Wednesday is my club' - Free agent Sam Hutchinson outlines his love for the Owls
Sheffield Wednesday hero Sam Hutchinson discusses his love for the Owls
Sam Hutchinson was blooded into professional football by Chelsea - but has insisted Sheffield Wednesday are his club.
The 36-year-old made 207 appearances across three spells as an Owl, first joining the club in 2014 and last pulling on the club’s colours in 2023.
He was a hit among Wednesday supporters, who responded positively to his whole-hearted and tough-tackling nature.
Hutchinson is now a free agent having been released by AFC Wimbledon but donned the Wednesday shirt again for a charity match today (May 9). He was reunited with former teammates such as Tom Lees and Ross Wallace, as well as his former manager Carlos Carvalhal.
Sam Hutchinson’s love for Sheffield Wednesday
Ahead of the game against supporters and stakeholders, which the ex-Owls won 24-3, Hutchinson reminisced about happy memories in an interview with Wednesday’s media team.
He said: “We just had a few drinks with the gaffer and a couple of the boys, reminiscing about old times, good times. The club means a lot to all of us. Those two years under Carlos - unbelievable.
“The team we had, you don’t appreciate it then. You do now, when you go to different clubs, and you realise what you had in the dressing room. Going out on a weekly basis, you really do appreciate it.
“That respect is a massive thing. It’s difficult to give the same output to something you don’t care as much about. I obviously care about playing football but the love I have for Sheffield Wednesday... I always said, even going back to Chelsea and playing legends games, Sheffield Wednesday is my club.”
Connection with the Steel City
Hutchinson even claimed that if his children did not have footballing commitments elsewhere, his family would settle back in Sheffield.
He said: “Two of my boys were born in Sheffield, we bought into the city. We love Sheffield. Whenever I play up here, the kids come back and we love it. If my kids didn’t play football, we’d live in Sheffield, 100 per cent.
“I can’t obviously say all the stories but you appreciate it so much more when you’ve left and you’ve grown up as people and men and families. It’s a special time. Fingers crossed now, the new chairman can take the club to where it belongs.”