DM on fans
To walk out in front of them was something special. It was a fantastic occasion and I savoured every moment of it. A great, great day.
Sheffield Wednesday are back in the Championship after a last-gasp win over Barnsley.
Josh Windass pounced with a header with almost the last kick of the game to see off their stubborn South Yorkshire rivals. It means Darren Moore’s side are back in the second tier after a two-year absence.
It was a game full of chances but it looked like Barnsley stopper Harry Isted would deny the Owls after some terrific saves throughout the 120 minutes. But Windass popped up on his first-ever appearance at the national stadium to send the 44,000 Wednesdayites into bedlam.
We’ll be hearing from Moore in his post-match media conference. Stay tuned for regular updates.
18:49Ricky Charlesworth
18:47Ricky Charlesworth
I lean on my faith and it’s about having great belief in what I’m trying to do for the football club, giving everything and having that belief. But also trying to energise my staff because I can’t do it alone.
18:46Ricky Charlesworth
It’s been an absolute joy to be manager of this club.
18:45Ricky Charlesworth
You couldn’t write it. It’s about the character of the players. When we got to last summer we knew we needed players who can handle the occasion.
The crowd drove us across the line again today.
18:43Ricky Charlesworth
For it to be the last kick it was incredible. I think everyone was expecting penalties.
18:42Ricky Charlesworth
They were wiltering but it was about digging deep and we got that just reward. We spoke about leaving it on the pitch.
18:42Ricky Charlesworth
We scored when Vaulks scored before and I could just see the flag. I was trying to get everyone back into focus because it was about getting the minds back into the arena.
18:41Ricky Charlesworth
I’ve not seen it yet so I can’t really comment on that one. I can only imagine they looked at it and warranted that it was a dangerous one. Them going to ten rocked us slightly and I wanted us to show more composure.
18:40Ricky Charlesworth
Stuff that dreams are made of. We got the all-important touch to it to win the game.
18:39Ricky Charlesworth
We knew it would be tight but it was about staying together. The derby aspect, the magnitude of the game, the arena – I thought it was one moment that fell to us and credit to the boys for going all the way to the end.
18:39Ricky Charlesworth
It’s a special moment. A delightful moment for everyone at the club. It means so much.
I’m just really pleased and we should all share in it because it’s a joint effort.
18:29Ricky Charlesworth
The Owls gaffer will be here shortly…
18:28Ricky Charlesworth
They don’t have many goals on the bench and they were cramping up all over the place. We weren’t surprised by their selection.
18:27Ricky Charlesworth
We’re a young team and there’s no d***heads. We’ll try and go again.
18:26Ricky Charlesworth
It’s the cruellest way I’ve been beaten and I’m 45!
I’m proud as punch of them and to take that in the last game, it’s a tough one.
Ricky Charlesworth
Relive that – if you can!