Gary Hooper says what he liked most about Sheffield Wednesday’s ‘very good’ fans

After a goalless opening seven games, the forward claimed 13 goals and four assists in the Championship – including three assists in a 3-0 win over Cardiff City to seal their place in the play-offs.

The Owls missed out on promotion but Hooper went on to make a £3m permanent switch to Hillsborough.

He scored 31 goals and provided 12 assists in 89 games for Wednesday, becoming a very popular figure at the club.

Sheffield Wednesday fans were ‘very good’ and ‘very loud’

Hooper has now explained how he became “aware” of the fans’ love for him when he was sidelined with injury in his third year at the club.

Speaking to The Star, he said: “I realize that, after the third year I got injured.

“Everyone was still picking me up, hoping I’d come back to play and I haven’t had a bad word with a single fan since Wednesday. They were always very good. And Hillsborough was loud, yes. Very good, and the fans were very loud – especially when we were winning. They’ve been good week in and week out, home and away, it’s just been a good time for me.”

The Owls need another Gary Hooper

Gary Hooper never managed to finish a season as Sheffield Wednesday’s top scorer, but his 19 league goals between 2015 and 2017 played a key role in their push for promotion.

The Owls had the likes of Fernando Forestieri and Steven Fletcher among their ranks, both of whom contributed a large number of their own goals.

Wednesday have been able to secure their backline under Danny Rohl in recent months, but it’s pretty clear they’ll need a goalscorer if they’re to climb the table next season.

In January, it was reported that Dejphon Chansiri was prepared to pay a lot of money for a decent striker, although this never happened.

The chairman must now keep his promise if he is to allow Rohl to reap the rewards of the club’s potential.

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