<P> Yorath resigned in October 2002 after Wednesday made a terrible start to the 2002--03 season, and in came Hartlepool manager Chris Turner--a former Owls goalkeeper--as his successor . Turner made a big effort to rejuvenate the side and there were some impressive results during the final weeks of the season, but a failure to beat Brighton in the penultimate game of the season condemned them to relegation . </P> <P> Turner was optimistic of an immediate return to Division One, but this was not to be . Wednesday finished 2003--04 in 16th place in Division Two, with the lowest goals tally in the division (48). It was the lowest ebb of the club's history, rivalled only by the 1975--76 season, where Wednesday finished in 20th place in the same division with the same number of points as in the 2003--04 season . Turner was sacked after a poor start to the 2004--05 Coca - Cola League One campaign, and replaced by former Plymouth and Southampton manager Paul Sturrock . </P> <P> 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 . They defeated Brentford 3--1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, moving them into the playoff final on 29 May 2005 at the Millennium Stadium . 41,000 Wednesdayites descended on Cardiff for what was the biggest game in twelve years for the club . They weren't to be disappointed as the Owls took a 1--0 lead through Jon - Paul McGovern on the stroke of halftime . However, Hartlepool fought back and took a 2--1 lead with 20 minutes of the game remaining . Sturrock made a brave triple substitution bringing on 18 - year - old striker Drew Talbot and the Owls' top scorer of the season, Steve MacLean (who had been out injured for the previous three months and had not kicked a ball). They combined with 10 minutes left as the Owls levelled the game 2--2 . Talbot was adjudged to have been pushed down inside the box and Sheffield Wednesday were awarded a controversial penalty, which also resulted in the dismissal of Hartlepool player Westwood . MacLean duly slotted home the resultant penalty . They went on to win 4--2 after extra time, goals from Glenn Whelan and Drew Talbot, achieving promotion to the Championship . </P> <P> On 17 April 2006, Sheffield Wednesday retained their place in the Championship with two matches remaining, with a 2--0 away win at Brighton, condemning Brighton, Millwall and Crewe to the drop in the process . Wednesday went on to finish the season in 19th place, 10 points clear of the relegation zone . They were statistically the best supported team in the Championship; their average home league attendance of 24,853 marginally beat newly relegated Norwich with 24,833 . </P>

When did sheffield wednesday get promoted to championship