But if he does sign off, what a game to have bowed out in – namely Sheffield Wednesday's famous 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane on a never-to-be-forgotten afternoon for the blue-and-white half of the Steel City on February 7.

It clinched the Owls' first double over arch rivals Sheffield United since before the First World War and you also had to go back to 1967 for their last win at the home of the Blades.

While the Geordie, ravaged by a debilitating hip injury last season, may have only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes in the dying stages of proceedings, he still savoured the moment.

As he did last October, when he grabbed the only goal as Wednesday turned over the Blades at Hillsborough in front of the Sky cameras.

Both were among a host of games to treasure for the former Newcastle United, Everton and Aston Villa utility man during his time with the Owls, which represented a golden swansong after a bitter-sweet spell at previous club West Brom.

Watson, 35, freed by the Owls after two-and-a-half years at the start of the summer, is currently assessing his options, with a final decision on whether he decides to end his playing days imminent.

If he does bow out, he is mighty glad that the final episode of his accomplished playing career has been one to remember at one of the game's great old clubs.

And while it's been a roller-coaster at Wednesday for Watson, with the North Easterner fighting relegation fires with the Owls in a torrid 2007-08 following on from their flirtation with the play-offs the previous season, he thoroughly enjoyed the ride, nevertheless.

Watson, captain during much of his time in South Yorkshire, said: "I was pretty unhappy before I came. I was 33 and playing reserve-team football when I'd spent all my career playing in the first team.

"So I was a bit lost at that time and the gaffer (Brian Laws) gave me a chance to come and play (on loan) and then join permanently for two years.

"I enjoyed every minute of my time at Sheffield Wednesday. It's been great being there – it's up there with the big sides that I've played for and it's a first-class club.

"If it's going to be my last involvement in football, it's been a happy two-and-a-half years.

"The last derby win was my last time on a football pitch and that wouldn't be a bad way to finish.

"Even though it was only four minutes and I got only one touch on my chest that was still an appearance in my book!

"Both derby wins last season were great.