Page "Sheffield Wednesday F.C." Paragraph 20

After narrowly avoiding yet another relegation in 2003 – 04 and a poor start to the 2004 – 05 Football League One campaign, Turner was replaced by former Southampton manager Paul Sturrock.

Sturrock revitalised Sheffield Wednesday's fortunes and they finished fifth in League One at the end of the 2004 – 05 season, qualifying for the promotion playoffs.

Over 40, 000 Owls fans travelled to Cardiff to watch Wednesday beat Hartlepool United 4 – 2 after extra time in the playoff final, and return to the Championship.

Sturrock guided Sheffield Wednesday to Championship survival in 2005 – 06 but was sacked after a poor start to the 2006 – 07 season and replaced by Brian Laws, who led Wednesday to a 9th place finish in the Championship after having an outside chance of reaching the play offs until the penultimate game of the season.

The following season began with Wednesday's worst ever start to a season, losing six league games in a row.

Chairman Dave Allen resigned in November 2007, and Wednesday avoided relegation with a win on the last day of the season.

The Owls improved in 2008 – 09 and 12th place with the best home defensive record in the division.

Halfway through Sheffield Wednesday's 2009 – 10 season Brian Laws was sacked, and was replaced by Alan Irvine.

On the last day of the season, needing a win to stay up, Wednesday drew 2 – 2 with Crystal Palace and were relegated to League One.