Football: History Lesson

Sidelines

As Sheffield Wednesday players prepare for their first match under Ron Atkinson's management at home to Arsenal today, they might look back on his previous reign at the Yorkshire club.

Atkinson succeeded Peter Eustace in February 1989. His first match (in the old First Division) was at home to Southampton and ended 1-1, Mark Proctor scoring for Wednesday and Rod Wallace replying for the Saints.

In the final three months of the season Atkinson lifted Wednesday from 18th to 15th as five wins, four draws and six defeats followed his arrival.

He was not slow to make changes. The starting line-up for the first match of the following season contained just two players - Chris Turner and Nigel Pearson - who had played in that first match against Southampton.