The Wednesday Word chats to Aden Flint, Marvin Johnson and Sheffield Wednesday coaches

We're back with another episode of The Wednesday Word show, and after a little bit of takeover talk, we head down to Club De Padel for a brilliant charity event to catch up with a whole host of Sheffield Wednesday players - current and former - as they raised money for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

They discussed their futures, the incredible events of the weekend, and plenty more in our one-on-one interviews in Neepsend. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_09 0:00

Henrik's just arrived.

SPEAKER_02 0:00

You're gonna get on to me about your option? Um yeah, maybe, maybe. I'll try and chuck me one of these rooms here.

SPEAKER_08 0:14

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Word Show. Joe Cran here. Um it's been another busy week for Sheffield Wednesday. I think there's a few things have happened. Uh we just thought, yeah, jump on today. There's a few bits in today's show that's uh a little bit different, but um, first and foremost, I thought I'd have a little bit of a chat about what has happened over the last week. David Storch has taken over at Sheffield Wednesday um along with Michael Storch and Tom Cost in the Rise Consortium, were announced on the pitch at Hillsborough on what was an absolutely mega day uh last uh last weekend. Obviously, the them coming in, taking over from Daybon Chanceri was a big deal. The zero points was an even bigger deal, or maybe not an even bigger deal, it was a bigger surprise, should we say. And then uh did a story earlier this week on how they will not be subject to the £7,000 a week and £7 million a year wage cap and salary uh well wage and salary cap, I should say. Uh other big news in that sense is the fact that they are um they're not banned from making spending transfer fees anymore, which is uh you know another big deal for Henrik Pedderson going into next season. Wednesday are desperate for uh a refresh and it becomes very difficult to do that when you're on an incredibly, incredibly tight budget or not allowed to sign uh players for fees at all. Um I don't think that you know I don't think that should be read into Wednesday going out and chucking a load of money at things next season. I don't think that's gonna be the case at all. I think you know they are still working within a business plan, so it's it's not going to be, you know, it's not a case of just doing what they want. They're not allowed to do any um owner equity top-up, which is you know another way that some owners add to to what they can to what they can spend. They'll be done at Sheffield Wednesday this summer. But you know, there's a there's a the way about it described to me is the fact that they will not be any particularly worse off than other teams elsewhere. So Wednesday will be on a relatively even keel with um the other teams in the in the division. Uh obviously there's you know limits on what they can do in in relation to um effectively how much they bring in decides how much they can spend in in many ways, and you know, Wednesday's turnover is slightly bigger than you know teams like Bromley and and the guys that are coming up and some of the other teams in the league. So Wednesday won't be at a major disadvantage, which is the main thing going to next year. They can spend a little bit on wages, they can spend a bit on transfer fees, and like I said, they don't read that into you know Wednesday going full Birmingham or anything like that and and throwing a load of money at the problem. They still want to be sustainable. There's a lot of money that's going to be spent on various different elements of the football club as well. So that is is to be sorted, but it does feel like Sheffield Wednesday will be able to have uh a relatively normal uh a relatively normal effort at bringing in what is you know what is some much needed help within this side. Uh that's it from a you know a a little bit of a wrap-up perspective on my side, but I do have some really cool interviews uh for you to to listen to, to watch. Uh we spoke to Aidan Flynn, Marvin Johnson, um spoke to Henrick a little bit, Liam Palmer, Liam Liam Cooper, got a little bit of Billy Sharp in there as well. He touches on some Sheffield Wednesday stuff. They were all over at Club De Paddle in Neep Send for a really, really good charity event put on by Sheffield Wednesday assistant coach Pete Shuttleworth. Uh I spent some time there yesterday. Uh, a few thousand pounds was raised by all accounts. Great to see some legends from you know all over all over Yorkshire. Some some have a blue and white persuasion, some not so much. But yeah, really good after afternoon, all for a very, very good cause over at Western Park. And yeah, hope you enjoyed these. There's some nice little bits in there from some Sheffield Wednesday favourites or former Sheffield Wednesday favourites as well. Pete, we're down at Club the Paddle today. Happy with the turnout?

SPEAKER_00 4:33

Yeah, it's been brilliant. Yeah, I've turned behind many times. I looked at it, yeah, better than what I could ever imagine, really. Turn out from the players, unbelievable. Some of the uh the characters we've got involved and how they've engaged in it, amazing. Then Toby's to sell nearly 200 tickets and have so many people down. I still think there's some people to come. I think traffic outside's been a bit busier than normal. So yeah, I'm absolutely uh humbled by you know how many people have support. Just tell us a little bit about today, about what you're doing. So we had this little brain child um a few months ago about players love paddle. That seems to be the new footballers thing. So, you know, and I've played with a few of the lads up there, and we also bought stuff for Wednesday down for a paddle afternoon, and the lads loved it. So, what we thought about doing is getting the six teams from five teams from South Yorkshire and Leeds, uh, four footballers in each team, and they're playing a paddle tournament against each other where the top two will go and play in a final, probably about half eight tonight, and then there'll be a winner crown the Yorkshire Classico champions uh about nine o'clock tonight.

SPEAKER_08 5:29

It's not their sport, but these lads do take it quite seriously, don't they?

SPEAKER_00 5:32

Footballers compete at everything. Yeah, you can put anything on where they're going against each other. And the other thing is as well, there's a lot of camaraderie, and a lot of the lads have played for more than one team. Uh, a lot of them are teammates with people who are playing paddle against them tonight. So Billy's playing for Sheffield United against Doncaster, who obviously spent the season with. There's David McGoljak here who's been involved in you know a couple of clubs, Marvin Johnson. So there's lots of people here who have got have got cost kind of loyalties, and um and yeah, they're going competing against each other and uh having a good go. See that it's gone so well. Is it going to be an annual thing? I've asked that earlier, yeah, yeah. Now they're all playing and I've relaxed a little bit. I might consider it. But yeah, the aim might be to do them in different regions and maybe just uh you know have a national final because it seems to be growing. I've had that many phone calls from players in other areas saying, can I can I do this for my club or can I bring my club into this one? Uh we've had to be quite you know restricted to six clubs, otherwise the night would have gone on for hours and hours and hours. So uh, yeah, could be an annual thing, and if it we raise lots of money for charity as well, then obviously it'd be something we're really interested in doing again. Brilliant. Can't have you here without asking me about the weekend. Um enjoy that. Amazing, amazing. Of all the of all the hard take and all the the you know the suffering that we've all had this year, not just to have the players to support us, it's been tough. We've all been knocked and then knocked again and knocked again, and we've tried to keep our chin up and try to stay positive throughout the season, and the lads have been amazing to you know, every week to put in what they've done, you know, knowing that we have a depleted squad and we've had to use a lot of young players who, you know, you know, and things like that throughout the season. We've been knocked and knocked, and then to finish the season with a win and see the positivity back in the stadium. And I was telling somebody earlier, like at 12 o'clock when we're out for the warm-up, the stadium was packed and they were chanting and singing, and the warm-up was the most energetic warm-up I've ever witnessed in my life. They were there like we were winning a cup final. It was only the warm-up and a possession drill, but they were amazing, like fancy dress and the energy they gave. We went in the change room and said, lads, go and feed off the energy of this crowd because this is unbelievable. And they did, they did us proud. Yeah, uh, delighted to get a win. And yeah, in reality, it took us to zero points, which you know probably is not too much to celebrate, but the rebirth of the club and what we can go and do next year, and the news about the points means that was a real good starting point to what's to come next, and and hopefully next season we'll be doing that game to win the title or be in the playoffs, or you know, something really successful and feel that crowd again doing something really really positive.

SPEAKER_08 7:51

Yeah, did did you uh enjoy your first days? As I suppose that's proper Sheffield Wednesday, right? You you've come into the club in a difficult period. I'm sure you've seen little bits about what the club's about, but that felt like a really pure Sheffield Wednesday moment.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

Yeah, I've known Hillsbury before as an away in the away dugout and as an away team, so I I know what it it can be like, I know how loyal they are to the team, and I've been on the receiving end of that. Uh, some really you know bad results, but also some good games there. So, yeah, to feel it in that in the home dugout and to feel what they gave the team and uh the positivity around a group of lads who they've just seen every week go and compete and and go and give everything they've got, you know, week in, week out. And yet it's not been successful in terms of the amount of wins we've got, but you know, what a group of players who've stuck together and tried their you know their best every single week, and they've what they've tried to do is make the supporters proud of what they put on the pitch, which is hard work, endeavour, competing, all the basic values of Sheffield Wednesday, and we need to build on that going forward with more quality and win loads of games of football next year, and like I say, take the club on to the level that it should be on, which is right at the very top.

SPEAKER_05 8:52

Hey you don't nice to be back in Sheffield? Yeah, it's always nice to be back, of course it is.

SPEAKER_08 8:56

Something like this, as uh you know, as someone like yourself who's who's been in the game such a long time, like it must be really nice to be able to give back to cities that you've played for typic parties.

SPEAKER_05 9:07

Yeah, of course, it's uh like I said earlier, it's uh it's all for a good cause, and it's nice to see so many people here as well. Um and especially playing for the Chef Wednesday again as well, putting the shirt on, um or being in a different sport. Um, but yeah, it's nice, and it's it's good to get uh more people involved in part of the world because it's it's it's it's growing rapidly as well.

SPEAKER_08 9:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 9:26

How did you come to be a part of this? Uh well, playing the list, all it's given me a text uh a couple months ago saying, Do you fancy it? I said, Yeah, of course I do, and it's just uh come around quick to be fair. I didn't realise how soon after the season it was to be honest. He's uh he's not able to be here today because he's got uh other things going on. Hopefully, uh hopefully can go on away this time and uh and get promoted. It'd be great for him. Um obviously tried so many years at Wednesday and obviously couldn't quite go over the mark, but wish him all the mess in the semis and hopefully they get to the final as well.

SPEAKER_08 9:59

Yeah, with with yourself, I mean you were in Sheffield for a pretty big moment. Um seeing this what this football fighter club has been through, you know, seeing the the atmosphere on Saturday as a former player. How pleased are you to see this this first?

SPEAKER_05 10:15

First of all, I'm delighted it's all all gone through and been finalised. It's it's it's unbelievable. It's been a long time coming. Um, and I see I see all the socials on on Saturday as well. Um obviously the kickoff was in four hours on Saturday, so I got to see it on on Instagram and Twitter, and it's it just shows you how big the club is when you've got a sell out 35,000. When listen, it's not been the best of the years this year, obviously, bottom of the league, minus points and managed to get a win on the last day in front of the sellout crowd. It's unbelievable. It just shows you how big the club is, and it's uh it's amazing to see it's been taken over. Yeah, and Liam's Liam's got a bit of a habit for big calls, hasn't he? He has, he has to be fair to him, and he's uh he's chasing down that record appearance as well. And I hope to God he gets it.

SPEAKER_06 10:54

Marv, I was uh I was watching you play it earlier. The standard's quite high. Uh have you got ambitions of winning this whole thing?

SPEAKER_04 11:01

No, yeah, we're we're always here to win it. I think if you ask everyone that's playing, he's here to win it. Uh, but yeah, it's for a great cause, obviously, but at the end of the day, we're here to win.

SPEAKER_06 11:08

Yeah, you obviously with Flinty as well. You look like you're uh a pretty decent pairing.

SPEAKER_04 11:12

It's the first time I've ever played with him, to be fair. So, but yeah, it's decent like time. He's a threat of the net. Obviously, he's a big powerhouse, so hopefully that plays to an advantage.

SPEAKER_07 11:20

With things like this, obviously, you you spent a fair bit of time in Sheffield. How nice is it for you to be able to give back to a charity like Western Park?

SPEAKER_04 11:27

Yeah, definitely. It's always amazing. You know, obviously, they always do great causes all the time. So, you know, to be able to play paddle and do it as well, it's perfect.

SPEAKER_08 11:34

Just wanted to ask you, obviously, uh, I'm sure you've seen what's what's been going on with with Wednesday. As a as a former player, someone that you know had such a great connection with the fans, how pleased are you for them to have got their club back now?

SPEAKER_04 11:47

Yeah, I think it's more so the the weight off everyone's shoulders, including the fans as well. I think so. Even all season you you saw that they've they've turned up uh when they didn't need to under the circumstances, been brilliant. But so hopefully now it's a blank canvas, it's a fresh start. Obviously, they've got the backing from the fans already. Now, obviously, like I say, you can have a refresher over the summer and and really kick on and and like I say, go from the start and give it a good go. Are we gonna be seeing you back on a pitch anytime soon? Hopefully, in then in June and July, yeah.

SPEAKER_08 12:14

William, I see you've uh you've not got your kit on today. Do you decide against it?

SPEAKER_02 12:17

I did, yeah. I'm very much a paddle beginner. Uh played probably a handful of times, four or five times. Um I do enjoy it. Probably pick it up more in the summer, but I knew the standard would be quite good, so I'm happy to watch on the sidelines. Um, I caught the first game, uh, Marvin Johnson and Flinty against Billy Sharp and Matt Kilgallen. I'm tipping that one for the final, so uh you can edit this if they don't make it. But they're gonna that's gonna be the final game. Wednesday win. Um, but no, I think the turnout from the ex-pros and yeah, ex-teammates is is amazing. They play a lot more than me, so I'll leave them to do all the heavy running tonight and I'll enjoy my rest, I think.

SPEAKER_08 12:54

This is another another sign of of what Sheffield's about, innit? You know, so many people coming together. I think Pete was saying, you know, over 200 people coming through to this to see so many former players and you know good ones as well. It says a lot about sort of the the collectiveness of here.

SPEAKER_02 13:09

Yeah, I think this venue is amazing to house something like this. It's got obviously plenty of courts, got a lot of time for Pete. I know he was a bit nervous of organising everything, a lot of work's gone into it. Um, yeah, I've got a lot of time for Pete. He's a great guy. Um, obviously involved in Western Park as well, an amazing charity, and everybody's turned out for him, which is great. And hopefully this kind of you know occasion can go from strength to strength every year, and hopefully it can you know make it bigger and turn it into a bit of a nationwide thing because I think it's definitely got the right appeal in terms of I think he's the El Classico, whatever they've called it, and the local rivalry in inverted commas. Obviously, it's all friendly, but the boys are competitors by heart, as you'll know, so I think they'll want to win definitely.

SPEAKER_09 13:55

Henrik's just arrived. Are you gonna get on to about your options?

SPEAKER_02 13:58

Um, yeah, maybe, maybe. I'll try and truck in one of these rooms here, but no, I've not um I've not smoked him since the game Saturday. I know he's been busy with so too the owners. You know, they've probably got a list as long as they're arms, so we'll go for a bit of food probably in the next few days. I know he's going back to Denmark as well, so we'll try and catch him before I go away and uh talk shop, so to speak.

SPEAKER_08 14:19

We we did speak briefly after the game, you and I, but you know, having with the just settling in and all that kind of stuff now, it was it was a really special day, wasn't it?

SPEAKER_02 14:28

It was, yeah, it was uh quite surreal to be on, you know, sort of minus three after really what's been a disastrous season. Um everything that's happened to kind of finish on that kind of crescenda, if you like, you know, full house, new owners in town, a new era, and to win as well. We were desperate to kind of use that energy from the crowd and you know get the win so we could send everybody home with a positive feeling and to score the winning goal was was amazing. So I've had quite a lot of messages saying, why is it always you when you but yes, just seems to happen um when there's a big occasion and long mate continue?

SPEAKER_08 15:06

Yeah, you you've done you know, you've done some big moments at uh at Hillsborough at Wednesday over the 500 years at the club. Um how nice is it for you to have that so the younger lads can experience? You know, some of the lads that that won't have been able to play in in games like that yet.

SPEAKER_02 15:22

Yeah, that's that was one of the biggest things that I was most pleased about is for the ones that have probably come to the club knowing and maybe played there before, like the ones that have been alone, probably looking and thinking it's been a bit doom and gloom with results and not quite, you know, being winning in games or drawing and losing last minute. We had a lot of games like that. So for them to see us be in full flow and you know, full voice, it was great for them. Uh, and also the owners as well. I tried to describe to them uh what it's what it feels like, but until you actually there and you feel that the energy in the stadium which they managed to do, and they left, you know, they were they were beaming, they left excited, and I think wanting more, yeah. I think they can't wait for August to come round quick enough. Yeah, I don't think they're the only ones.

SPEAKER_08 16:07

Billy, we know how much you've done for this city charity-wise. How nice is it for you to be involved in in this and see such a good turnout.

SPEAKER_01 16:14

Yeah, it's for a great cause, um, Western Park Charity. Um, I think a lot of families are affected by this cancer. Um, they do some amazing work, and I'll always put my name forward to represent Western Park. So it's great that so many of the lads have turned up as well. Um, fair play to them, because without them it wouldn't happen. So I know that a lot of them have come from quite far away, so we appreciate them coming. And uh it's been a good night up to now. Still plenty of games left, but um it's starting to get a little bit competitive now as well. So no, it's been good of it's been fun.

SPEAKER_08 16:46

I can tell watching on like it started all fun in games, but it's starting to just the screws starting to turn a little bit now, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 16:51

Yeah, well, nobody wants to be bottom. Um so I think it's changing a little bit now. Um so yeah, it's footballers, they're competitive people. Um, whether you're playing football or panel, uh they they want to win.

SPEAKER_08 17:05

How did this all come about from your perspective? How did you end up involved?

SPEAKER_01 17:08

Um it's Pete Sholworth, who's uh the main part of this. Um, him and his friend and his wife, uh sorry, and his partner. Um they fought the idea and asked me about it. I was like, yeah, let's get it on. Uh be it'd be amazing. Um, I know he was a little bit nervous about getting the players in, but like I said, they've turned up, he'll be chuffed to bits. Um, and it's great to see so many fans here as well. Um so maybe we can do it again or an annual thing. Um hopefully we'll raise a lot of money for Western Park 2. By all accounts, you've got a pretty good uh teammate as well. Yeah, I've recruited pretty well. Um listen, it was hard because I played for Doncaster Leeds, Chef United. Um there's so many people at Doncaster, my teammates who who will play Padle. They was they could have filled two teams. Um so I was actually struggling. Umburney was supposed to be here, but he's in the playoffs. So David Cottrell, fair play training, came in at last hour. Um, and he's he's loving it as well, so it's been good.

SPEAKER_07 18:09

Yeah, same with Baza. I imagine uh Barry Bannon's a little bit preoccupied elsewhere as well.

SPEAKER_01 18:14

Yeah, I think he he'd have liked to have been here tonight. Whether he'd have played or not, I don't know, but yeah, I know he's got other things he's got to commit to. So um I know he does a lot for the charity anyway, um, and for the people of Sheffield. So no, it's great to come together. Um it's tight at the top at Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday at the minute, so we'll see what happens.

SPEAKER_07 18:33

Just lastly, I've got to ask you Jeffrey Wednesday been through a lot recently. I know as a play, you never want Wednesday to be better than United, but as a Sheffielder, how pleased are you to see that this football club still exists?

SPEAKER_01 18:45

Yeah, listen, I've seen I've seen the attendance on Saturday. Um, I know a lot of people who work there, I know quite a few of the players. Um, you know, they've had a tough, tough season. Uh, fair place for them for winning that final game and getting to zero points. Um and I think you know, they've had the good news of not having any deduction next next year, which I think is a huge boost because if they'd have been minus 15, it could have been another tough season. So um, yeah, I said I I love the Derbies. Um so who knows? Um, it'd be great to get them both back in the Premier League, definitely for the season. I was there of both games in the Bramal Lane when second half Chef Wednesday scored, but they came really back into the game, and I think they just ran out of steam a little bit, had a few players, key players go off with coops and uh a few others. So, no, listen, it's been demoralising for them this season, so fair play to them for sticking to it. William, down here at Club of the Padle today.

SPEAKER_10 19:38

It's uh it's a pretty good turnout, isn't it? No, it is. Uh amazing to see some some old faces, some old pals, and uh and yeah, all year to turn out for a good cause, and um yeah, it's getting a bit a bit competitive, so um, you know what we're all like competing we're competing against each other. But no, it's been fun, all for a great cause and uh enjoying the evening. I'm no paddle expert, but it does look like there's some pretty good players here. Yeah, there is, and a few coaches as well. So um, however fair that is, but no, we're enjoying it. There's some very good players. Um just just good to see see a few old faces and and get involved in some all for all for a great cause. Western Park is uh it's a great charity, isn't it? Yeah, it's amazing, amazing what they do for families and and people suffering around the city. Um I think Palm said last week it's hard to pick one because there's so many amazing charities in in the city. Um but what Western Park does is amazing, and hopefully we can raise as much money as as we can for those. Um because um what they're doing for the families out there who are suffering is is unbelievable. Yeah, I've got to ask you, I seen as already. Um how much did you enjoy Saturday? Amazing. Honestly, I felt it. Um I was fortunate enough to be able to drive down with it with the wife and the kids, and um, yeah, you could feel that build up even before the game. And I think football has a funny way of um showing its true colours sometimes, and and that was certainly all the land to get the win and and to send the fans home happy after such an amazing day. After announcing the fresh start, the zero points, it's it's it's unbelievable. Um and you could feel that buzz, and hopefully the boys can take that into the into next season, and hopefully myself I can I can be a part of that. But we'll see. Obviously, that's in the club's hands at the moment as we speak. Um, amazing people at the club, um, amazing support, and um it resonates really well with myself and um how I see life and football, and um hopefully I can I can be a part of that next year. Um, but we'll leave that to those in in in power, and um, I'll do everything I can to be here.

SPEAKER_08 21:37

The days like that and seeing that kind of atmosphere, that kind of you know vibe about the place, does that make you want to stick around a little bit more even?

SPEAKER_10 21:44

Yeah, definitely, for sure. Um that's that's that's a football club, that's a that's a true football club. Um, one of the biggest clubs in in the country, um, steeped in in history and in heritage and and things like that. And yeah, you you want to be part of big clubs and um That's certainly how I feel right now.

SPEAKER_08 22:01

Henrik, we're here at Pub De Padel today for uh Pete Sotowers Brainchild.

SPEAKER_03 22:06

Um, how nice has it been to enjoy this with everybody here? No, it has been fantastic and a lot of good games, and but yeah, there's a great atmosphere and it's fantastic so many people are supporting this event, so really good. Does this show, you know, you you've said before how you've fallen in love with this city.

SPEAKER_08 22:26

Does this give you give you another reason to like where you are?

SPEAKER_03 22:30

No, I think it's um what Pete here has done here, Pox, what they all have done to bring this together so we we can have this today and give this support. Uh it's a fantastic idea, and of course, our support, and of course, I enjoy, and uh yeah, it's another thing to be proud of for this area.

SPEAKER_08 22:49

Yeah, there's a lot of your your staff members and your a few of your players here today. Must be nice for them to have a bit of time off.

SPEAKER_03 22:56

I think they think it is. Uh they deserve it really much. Uh yeah they need rest, uh, and I think it's a good evening for them.

SPEAKER_08 23:05

Just before I let you go, I imagine you've got a busy week ahead of you. Um what's in the works now before you uh before you finally get a break yourself?

SPEAKER_03 23:15

Of course, with the fantastic takeover, we we have a lot of meetings because we have a lot to plan. And um, yeah, so there's a lot of meetings yesterday, today, tomorrow, Thursday. But it's good meetings and progressive meeting so we can start to execute how we want to be and see if we wednesday in the future.

SPEAKER_08 23:35

And that's that. That's all we've got time for this week. I've got some really, really good interviews coming up in the next little while. Um, spoke to Lee Gregory, spoke to Lee Bullen, um, got some some really good stuff with Jim McAliog as well about the the FA Cup. So those interviews all ready to come over on the Wednesdayword.com and are here on the Wednesday Word channel. So, yeah, thank you very much for joining us so far, and I'll speak to you very soon. Cheers.