‘Teddy’ hails former Reggae Boy Moore on Wednesday’s promotion

Former national and Sheffield Wednesday player Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson has hailed former Reggae Boy Darren Moore on his achievement of guiding his old club back to English football’s second tier.

Wednesday defeated Barnsley 1-0 in their English League One play-off final yesterday at Wembley, thanks to a 120+three-minute strike from Josh Windass, ending their two-year stay in the third tier.

The majority of Johnson’s career was spent at Wednesday between 2007 and 2014, making 231 appearances and scoring 25 goals. Watching the unfolding drama from afar, Johnson was pleased that Moore, whose character he praised, got the reward deserved.

“It is a joy for me, to be honest. Darren Moore is one of the best people ever, his personality, everything. It is just a blessing for him to get this opportunity to get back to the Championship. I am so proud of them,” Johnson told STAR Sports.

It was something that not even Johnson thought Wednesday would have achieved, given the dire situation they were in after their heavy League One semifinal defeat to Peterborough United. Wednesday lost the first leg 4-0 but rallied to win the second leg 5-1 for an aggregate of 5-5. Wednesday eventually won 5-3 on penalties.

What disappointed Johnson more than the first-leg semifinal loss was the vitriol Moore dealt with afterwards including online racial abuse.

“This was the first time that I was seeing a situation where the fans were trying to go at the coach in that way. It was one of the worst times for the club, to be honest. Listening to the fans and what they were saying wasn’t right,” Johnson said. “Darren Moore is one of the best people I know in and out of football. This guy has so much love inside of him.”

Johnson had hoped to be at Wembley for the final but was prevented by circumstances and could only watch from the comfort of his home. He hopes this is the first step for Moore and Wednesday to reach new heights

“Watching it was a bit weird, to be honest, because I didn’t expect them to get the chance to be there because of the semifinal first leg,” Johnson said. “Winning the game and going back to the Championship is a big deal. I am proud and ecstatic for them.”