Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Palmer has opened up about the emotional and professional challenges facing the club, its players, and its staff amid a turbulent period.
In an interview on BBC Sheffield, the 33-year-old defender shared his thoughts on the difficulties at Hillsborough, while expressing optimism that strong performances on the pitch could lift the spirits of the club’s loyal fanbase and dedicated staff.
Palmer didn’t shy away from acknowledging the toll of the situation. “It's been difficult. It's been difficult to come in every day and, like Henrik [Pedersen, the manager] said, give the best version of yourself,” he said. “Some days you feel it more than others. You feel for the ones working at the stadium. Security guards, people I've known for if not 15 [years]. They're people I knew when I was a kid and are working there now.”
HP 💬 “It’s frustrating, but the performance behind the result was amazing from the boys, and this is the basis for the future.”#LEISHW
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) August 10, 2025
The defender, a lifelong Owl, spoke with particular empathy about the club’s staff, highlighting their deep connection to Sheffield Wednesday. “They're proud to represent Sheffield Wednesday and work there. They could probably go and get a job somewhere else, but they love working for the club,” he said. This loyalty, he suggested, makes the current mood even more poignant. “When I go to the club shop and get the kits for my kids, like I do every year, everyone is a bit down,” Palmer added, underscoring how the club’s struggles have dampened the atmosphere even in routine interactions.
Despite the challenges, Palmer’s return to action has given him a renewed sense of purpose. “I'm just glad to be back playing, to be honest,” he said. “A lot has obviously been circulating and surrounding us the whole summer. It hasn't been easy but, like I said, we're back playing now. The games are coming thick and fast.” With an EFL Cup match against Bolton Wanderers looming, Palmer sees the busy schedule as a chance to refocus. “We'll go again on Wednesday [against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup] and just quickly get back in that mode of playing games, for us players, the better,” he said.
For Palmer, the path forward lies in delivering performances that can reignite the passion of Sheffield Wednesday’s supporters. “Hopefully the performances we can put in can go some way to kind of bring that feeling back and get the fans going,” he said. Looking ahead, Palmer remains cautiously optimistic. “Hopefully, like I said, things can turn around for the better,” he concluded.
