'Remember where we come from' - Wrexham fans back Owls

(Left to right) Wrexham fan David Lee with Sheffield Wednesday supporters George and Rory Eustace unite before the Championship fixture between the sides

"We need to remember where we come from, you know what I mean?"

Wrexham fan Darren Jones could have easily been offering the perspective on his club's rise to the Championship as they threw away a two-goal lead and the opportunity to earn a first win of the new campaign.

Instead, the loyal local is speaking more than an hour before the game with Sheffield Wednesday has kicked-off.

Rather than ruing a golden chance, he is wearing the gold third shirt Phil Parkinson's side sported on their way to League One promotion last season.

"It's all sunshine and rainbows at the minute, but we've been in the dark days and we remember where we came from," says Darren. "Because we've been where Sheffield Wednesday are."

And worse. Threats of losing a home, needing to raise money just to complete a season, running on bucket collections. Wrexham have been there.

Hence the gold shirt and the stand of solidarity in the black and gold colours Wednesday have adopted to make their point.

Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri led a consortium that purchased Sheffield Wednesday in 2015

Wednesday fans are continuing their visual and vocal protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri, eager for him to sell the club after a turbulent summer with the prospect of even more problems. Black and Gold until we're sold, is their message.

They had first displayed a banner declaring 'Enough is Enough' in their opening game at Leicester City.

Plans to do so at Wrexham's Stok Cae Ras, though, were initially blocked, before the club were bluntly reminded by their own supporters.

It was a rare misstep from a club with the Hollywood owners who have hardly put a foot wrong.

And soon corrected with a social media idea to wear last season's gold change shirt urged on by Rob McElhenney.

By Saturday, shirts were back on sale with promises of profit being made available to Wednesday's Supporters Trust who have provided grants for Hillsborough staff not paid their wages.

"I didn't think I'd actually see Wrexham fans wearing them," said Keiran Mallett, a Wednesday fan stood alongside eight-year-old son Thomas. "But we've got Wednesdayites wearing them too. It's a lovely gesture – from the owners because I wish I had owners like them – but from the fans."

Wrexham fan Darren Jones watched his side claim a 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday

Fans who had – long before Hollywood called – raised money on countless occasions to save the club, or taken direct action themselves against owner.

Many reminded of Brighton fans coming to lend their support in 2004 when their own side were playing hundreds of miles away having benefited from rivals' support in the past.

"They remember where they are coming from and what they have experienced," said Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen after the game. "When you're on your way, that you remember how it was in the past is to show a big, big respect to us."

The respect was visible, thousands of gold-shirted Wrexham fans in place in the home ends for kick-off.

Of course, there is the suggestion that it all makes for a pretty good documentary episode.

Even the pre-match interviews with chief executive Michael Williamson were conducted by a host and former player Andy Morrell in the said gold shirts.

Not that that was of any concern to Wednesday fans.

"The more people who know about this, and the more people who get involved and know about the situation at Hillsborough, the better," said David Lee, a former Wednesday Supporters Trust board member, combining a Wrexham shirt and a blue and white scarf.

"We have a lot of fans in the United States. It still needs pressure and protest. We're not happy with the present owner, and it really needs to change for the for the best."

Whether it makes any difference in Thailand, or in Yorkshire, remains to be seen.

Long after the black and gold balloons released by the away end had blown away, Wrexham threw away their chance to leave Wednesday without a point, the visitors' comeback sparked by a goal that came just after home fans had raucously applauded and cheered on with a sustained anti-Chansiri chant.

It was scored by the excellent Barry Bannan, a player whose grandfather Tommy Bannan had scored more than 100 times for Wrexham in the 1950s.

But while Wrexham were denied a first victory, no-one could deny them from acknowledging the past.

As Darren – complete with a Deadpool tattoo on his leg – put it: "We won't forget where we've come from."