WISE OWL - Sheffield Wednesday fixtures are announced

IT’s time to get your diaries out and mark down the most important dates in the footballing calendar.

The 2010/2011 fixture list has been announced and there are a feast of derby matches for Wednesdayites to look forward to.

To get us into the spirit, there is an absolute corker of a game arranged for pre-season.

On Saturday 23rd July, the Owls play Leeds at Hillsborough.

The most important dates next year are Saturday 15th October and Saturday 25th February.

Pencil them in now. Nothing should be done on these day other than watching what promises to be some brilliant football games.

At 3pm on both dates, the city of Sheffield will divide for the Sheffield derby.

The Owls visit Bramall Lane on 15th October to take on them lot from the red side of the city. It’s a mouthwatering fixture with the added spice that former Wednesday player and manager is now at the helm of the Blades. Hopefully three easy points for the Owls!

Then on 25th February we take on the Blades at Hillsborough.

As a Wednesday fan himself I’m sure Gary Megson knows just how important these derby matches are. He will be orchestrating a plan that will see us pull off a double against our rivals and allow the blue half of the city to hold its head up high for another season.

The atmosphere as always will be electric, with both teams hoping to get out of League One as quickly as possible.

I for one cannot wait. There really is nothing better than Derby day in Sheffield when there is everything to play for, not just three points.

The Sheffield derby isn’t the only local fixture next season.

Chesterfield were promoted so we also have matches against the Spirerites to look forward to.

We take on John Sheridan’s men at Hillsborough on Saturday 8th October, with the away fixture taking place on Saturday 18th February.

So now we know who we are playing and when, we need to concentrate on building a team which will get us out of the third tier of English football.

I was disappointed to hear this week that the Neil Mellor transfer fell through because of personal terms.

I hope that the Owls launch a fresh bid for the 28-year-old who scored 20 goals for us last season.

On one side we should be doing everything we can to secure Mellor’s signature, but on the other Wednesday are clearly not going to pay over what they consider to be an appropriate League One salary.

Hopefully we can agree a deal that both sides are happy with.

Up the Owls,

Wise Owl