Sheffield Wednesday chairman, Lee Strafford, believes this weekend's encounter with Sheffield United at Hillsborough is the biggest Steel City derby for 17 years.
The match against the Blades on Sunday (1pm kick-off) is a mammoth encounter and Strafford is keen to stress that there has not been a more important match between the neighbouring teams since 1993 when the two teams contested an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
The chairman is urging Owls fans to pack out Hillsborough this weekend to help spur Alan Irvine's team on to what could be a vital victory as the club aims to steer clear of relegation.
"The importance of this weekend's match against Sheffield United cannot be overstated," the Wednesday chairman said. "We are now in a position in which we may have to win our final three games of the season to guarantee Championship status and everybody at the club will be giving their all to make this possible. Of course there are other teams still in the relegation picture but we remain firmly focussed on our duties to go out and achieve the results required.
After a narrow defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday, the Owls remain in the bottom three but, with three fixtures remaining, Wednesday still have destiny in their own hands. With improved results since Alan Irvine's appointment as Owls boss, Strafford firmly believes that the team can pull clear of the bottom three between now and the final day of the season.
"I am confident that our goal of survival is within the players' capabilities and we have to give our team every support that we can to ensure that they can achieve on the pitch," Strafford insists. "Our supporters have demonstrated immense commitment throughout this season, as we have come to expect down the years from an incredibly loyal community of Wednesdayites, but we need every Owls fan to do whatever they can between now and the end of the season.
"The fact that we have already sold 9,000 season tickets for next season whilst not knowing which division the club will be competing in speaks volumes about the incredible support there is for our club but we need as many fans as possible to get behind the team on matchdays between now and the end of this season.
"Every extra Wednesdayite's voice we have at Hillsborough on Sunday can make a positive impact on our club's fortunes and you can all play a part in what could be a key moment in this club's recent history. There has not been a Steel City derby with more importance attached to it since Wednesday took on United at Wembley in 1993 and if we win this match it could be the most momentous match in Sheffield since Boxing Day 1979.
"I am sure that every Wednesday supporter will want to make a difference and the best way you can do that is by coming down to Hillsborough on Sunday."
Supporters who have not bought their tickets for this game are reminded that this is an 'all ticket' match with no sales on the day of the match. Tickets can be bought online at
www.swfc.co.uk/tickets in the Owls Megastore or by phone on 0871 990 1867.
Just 5,600 tickets remained available to home fans as of 11.30am on Monday morning (April 12) with the away allocation for this match completely sold out.
