Manager, TV pundit, landlord – what became of Sheffield Wednesday’s 1991 Cup heroes

Ron Atkinson (Manager):Now 72, ‘Big Ron’ is enjoying his retirement. Branded a ‘Judas’ after quitting the Owls in the summer of 1991 to join Aston Villa, he returned to Hillsborough for a brief second spell as manager six years later and saved the club from relegation. His media work dried up in 2004 after a comment about Chelsea’s Marcel Desailly sparked a race storm.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Apr 2011, 10:39 BST

chris turner (goalkeeper): Sheffield-born Turner, who had reached the age of 38, was released by the Owls that summer. He returned to Hillsborough as manager but the club was in meltdown and he was unable to prevent relegation to the third tier in 2002. Was involved in a collapsed takeover deal for the Owls earlier this season.

Roland Nilsson (right-back): The popular Swedish international was one of the key figures in Wednesday’s glory era and is often cited as the best foreign signing in the club’s history. After returning to Sweden he linked up again with Atkinson at Coventry and later managed the club in the Championship. He recently agreed to become the next manager of Danish champions FC Copenhagen.

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Peter Shirtliff (Centre-back): After three years with Charlton, Barnsley-born Shirtliff had returned for a second spell with the Owls. By the time he moved on again in 1993, he had clocked up over 350 appearances for the club. Moved into coaching at Barnsley and has worked for a variety of clubs since including Leicester, Tranmere and Swindon. Also managed Mansfield.

Nigel Pearson (Centre-back): Club captain Pearson lifted the trophy at Wembley and was named man of the match. After leaving the Owls, he enjoyed success as a player with Middlesbrough before embarking on a career in management and winning promotion to the Championship with Leicester last season. He is now steering Hull City towards the play-offs.

Phil King (Left-back): A West Country boy, King was snapped up by the Owls for £400,000 in 1989 after impressing at Swindon. Spent five years at Hillsborough before linking up again with Atkinson at Aston Villa. Now a pub landlord in Swindon, he also works for BBC Radio Wiltshire.

John Harkes (Midfield): The first American to play in the English Premier League, Harkes spent three years at Hillsborough. He made nearly 100 appearances for his country and also played in two World Cups. After a brief spell with Derby, he returned to the US to play for DC United in 1996. Is now a Major League Soccer pundit on the ESPN channel.

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Danny Wilson (Midfield): Currently out of the game, Wilson steered Barnsley into the top flight as manager but his return to Hillsborough in 1998 ended in failure as the Owls were relegated from the Premier League. Has also managed at Bristol City, MK Dons, Hartlepool and Swindon.

John Sheridan (Midfield): Despite spending the first seven years of his career with Leeds, it was at Hillsborough where Sheridan played the best football of his career. Still a massive fans’ favourite, he now manages neighbours Chesterfield who are set to win promotion as League Two champions. Played in two World Cups for the Republic of Ireland. Also managed Oldham.

Nigel Worthington (Midfield): Now manager of Northern Ireland, Worthington served the Owls for a decade, clocking up over 350 appearances. He moved to the club from Notts County and had linked up with his mentor Howard Wilkinson for a third time at Leeds prior to hanging up his boots in 1998. Led Norwich City to the Premier League before landing the Irish job in June 2007.

David Hirst (Striker): Cult hero ‘Hirsty’ is a regular in the Hillsborough hospitality areas on match-days. Injuries hampered his career but he still bagged 149 goals for the Owls and played for England three times during his 11 years with the club. Started his career at Barnsley and finished with a brief spell at Southampton but was often a target for Manchester United. When a £3m offer was snubbed by the Owls in 1992, the Red Devils signed Eric Cantona from Leeds instead.

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Paul Williams (Striker): The Londoner was only with the Owls for two years but struck up a productive partnership with Hirst in attack and boasted electric pace. Signed from Charlton, he scored 25 goals in 93 starts for the club, before heading back south to join Crystal Palace. He is no longer involved in the game.

Substitutes:

Lawrie Madden (Defender): Madden became a freelance sports journalist and is a regular in the press room at Hillsborough.

Trevor Francis (Striker): Did not figure in the final but stepped up to become manager following Atkinson’s departure.

Related topics:HillsboroughJohn Harkes