Why ‘Carlos Had a Dream’ is the ultimate read for Sheffield Wednesday fans

'Carlos Had A Dream' by Dom Howson
'Carlos Had A Dream' by Dom Howson (Image credit: Vertical Editions)

After years of stagnation and financial uncertainty, the arrival of Dejphon Chansiri at Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 promised a new dawn. What followed was a whirlwind of flair, ambition, and heartbreak that still sparks debate in the pubs around S6 today.

Respected journalist Dom Howson has delivered the definitive chronicle of that era in his debut book, Carlos Had a Dream. Published by Vertical Editions and set for release this spring, it is an essential addition to any Wednesdayite’s bookshelf.

The essential Sheffield Wednesday account of Carlos Carvalhal's tenure

Carlos Carvalhal, right, had been backed by Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri

Carlos Carvalhal, right, had been backed by Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri

Howson covered the club daily during this period for The Star and Yorkshire Live, and has secured exclusive, candid interviews with the men at the heart of the story.

Stuart Gray speaks openly for the first time about his exit, providing a rare look at the transition from the old regime to the Chansiri era.

Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough (Image credit: PA)

Carlos Carvalhal himself offers a deep dive into his tenure, discussing the cultural shifts he attempted to instil and the unique challenges of working under a chairman who, by his own admission, knew little about the English game.

Carlos Had A Dream pulls back the curtain on one of the most mysterious periods in the club's modern history: the 'Transfer Committee.'

Wednesday fans have long wondered how a structure featuring Adam Pearson, Glenn Roeder, Paul Senior, and Jonathan Hill collapsed within eight months. Howson's book explores this power vacuum and how the failure of this experiment shaped the club’s recruitment strategy for years to come.

From inviting a chief monk to bless the Hillsborough turf to the chairman handpicking squad numbers, the book charts the early, turbulent years of Chansiri’s ownership. It provides an analytical look at the recruitment that brought cult heroes like Barry Bannan and Fernando Forestieri to the club, while questioning whether the player-trading model was ever truly sustainable for long-term success.

With over 20 years of experience, Dom Howson is a writer who understands Sheffield Wednesday. His writing comes from a place of vast knowledge and boots-on-the-ground reporting.

Order 'Carlos Had A Dream' HERE

Order 'Carlos Had A Dream' HERE

Relive the sliding doors moments that defined the Carlos Carvalhal revolution at Hillsborough via this Sheffield Wednesday insider account

Title: Carlos Had a Dream

Author: Dom Howson

Price: £16.99

Release Date: Late April/Early May 2026

Format: Hardback (Vertical Editions)

For media inquiries, interviews, or review copies, contact Dom Howson at dominick.howson@gmail.com.

Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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