Sunday 16th March 2025 was probably a day to avoid the Hillsborough area of Sheffield as it was the first Steel City derby between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at the Owls’ Hillsborough Stadium for six years. It was certainly a busy time in the building up to the 1230 kick-off with a large Police operation also in place.
With over 33,000 fans heading to Hillsborough from both sides of the city divide and Supertram only able to operate a more limited service owing to the continued tram maintenance work (which has since come to an end with a normal service resuming from Tuesday 18th March) it was a busy few hours for the area and the trams.
Ahead of the match South Yorkshire Supertram released a statement: “The Sheffield Derby is taking place on Sunday 16th March. Trams will be busier than usual, especially on routes serving Hillsborough Stadium. With kick-off at 12:30, we recommend allowing extra time for your journey and considering alternative travel where possible. Please be patient, travel safely, and enjoy the match!”
Ultimately it was the visiting fans who went back the happier having secured a 1-0 victory to head back level on points with Leeds United at the top of the Championship as they aim for a return to the Premier League.
Crowds are milling around Leppings Lane around about an hour before kick-off. 113 waits at the stop bound for Middlewood.
113 now sets off from the stop for Middlewood having lost most of its passengers. (Both Photographs by Stuart Cooke, 16th March 2025)