One of the oldest clubs in world football, the third oldest in the English game, Sheffield Wednesday from South Yorkshire formed in 1867 when members of the Wednesday Cricket Club met on a Wednesday to form a football team to keep fit during the winter months.
The Owls take their nickname from the Owlerton suburb where Hillsborough is located after originally playing at city rivals Sheffield United’s Brammall Lane ground. The stadium was the tragic setting when 96 Liverpool fans perished during an FA Cup semi final between the Reds and Nottingham Forest in 1989. The ground has hosted matches during the World Cup in 1966 and also Euro 1996. It also saw the visit of Pele’s Santos for a friendly on a midweek afternoon (to conserve electricity) in 1972.
It has been 13 years since the team has played at the highest level but the loyal Sheffield Wednesday fanbase has seen the club post regular attendances during its spell in League 1 that surpassed some Championship and even Premier League clubs.
The village of Owlerton is the inspiration behind the crest with the owl featuring since a badge first appeared in 1956. The original crest featured a traditional depiction of an owl sitting on a branch above the white rose of Yorkshire. The club’s Latin motto Consilio et Animis translated as “By Wisdom and Courage.“
The minimalist owl design first appeared in 1970 and, despite some deviations for a few seasons from 1995, the form returned and still stands up to this day. There isn’t a superfluous line on the owl and it is a perfect example of a modern crisp football crest.
