The 2022–23 season was nothing short of unforgettable for Sheffield Wednesday, culminating in a hard-earned promotion from League One. Despite narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town, the Owls amassed an impressive 96 points — a total that would typically guarantee a top-two finish in most seasons.
Their promotion journey was anything but straightforward. A crushing 4–0 defeat at Peterborough United in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals seemed to extinguish their hopes. But what followed was one of the greatest comebacks in EFL history. Darren Moore’s side overturned the massive deficit at Hillsborough, forcing the tie to penalties, which they won to reach the final.
Just when it seemed like the drama had peaked, the Wembley showdown with Barnsley offered another twist. Deep into extra time, and with penalties looming, Josh Windass scored a dramatic 123rd-minute winner, sending Wednesday back to the Championship after two seasons away. While the thrilling play-off run grabbed the headlines, the club’s groundwork for success had been laid the previous summer—particularly with a bold double signing from rivals Rotherham United.
Still stinging from a heartbreaking play-off exit to Sunderland the year before, Sheffield Wednesday approached the 2022 off-season with determination. Darren Moore made a clear statement of intent through early and strategic signings, adding experience and resilience to a squad that had previously lacked consistency. The arrivals of David Stockdale, Ben Heneghan, and Will Vaulks—players with proven League One pedigree—helped set the tone.
The surprise came when Wednesday were linked with Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith from Rotherham United, who had just been promoted to the Championship. Few believed the Owls could actually lure the pair away, especially with Derby County also interested and Millers boss Paul Warne confident both players would sign new deals. But in a dramatic twist, mere hours after Warne’s remarks, Sheffield Wednesday announced the signings of both Ihiekwe and Smith—delighting their own fans while enraging Rotherham supporters.
The acquisition of these two promotion veterans was a masterstroke. Ihiekwe brought solidity to the defence, while Smith, fresh off a 24-goal campaign and a Player of the Season award, offered a lethal threat up front. Their decision to join a rival club, especially after achieving promotion with Rotherham, sparked controversy. Smith’s admission that financial incentives influenced his move only further upset Millers fans.
With these signings, Sheffield Wednesday were instantly considered among the favourites for promotion. Ihiekwe’s calming influence at the back addressed defensive frailties from the previous season. Although a knee injury sidelined him for several months, his timely return for the play-offs proved vital. Smith, on the other hand, remained fit and consistent throughout the campaign, scoring 20 goals in 49 appearances. His early penalty in the semi-final second leg against Peterborough helped ignite Wednesday’s famous comeback.
While their League One quality was never in doubt, both players still had questions to answer in the Championship, where they had previously experienced relegation with Rotherham. During Wednesday’s first season back in the second tier, neither player found guaranteed starting roles under managers Xisco Muñoz and Danny Röhl. Ihiekwe, in particular, had a difficult first half of the season, with rumors suggesting he might leave in January. However, he fought his way back into the team and made key contributions, including goals against Norwich and Cardiff.
Smith, who had a quieter goal-scoring season with only four goals in 34 games, was expected to depart amid interest from Wrexham. Yet he defied expectations by playing a prominent role in the campaign that followed, scoring eight times in 44 appearances—outperforming high-profile players like Jamal Lowe and £2.5 million signing Ike Ugbo.
At season’s end, Wednesday chose to extend Smith’s contract, while Ihiekwe was released, ending their eight-year run of playing together. Although they now part ways, their impact on Sheffield Wednesday is undeniable. Their controversial switch from Rotherham to Hillsborough proved crucial, laying the foundation for promotion and helping to steady the ship in the Championship. Without them, it’s doubtful the Owls would have achieved the same success.
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