Barry Bannan of Sheffield Wednesday during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough at Hillsborough, Sheffield, England on 21 April 2025

Barry Bannan has earned legend status at Sheffield Wednesday.Imago

'Horrendous' - Sheffield Wednesday fans say the same thing over Barry Bannan return

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Published on:

09 Jul 2026, 11:09 am

Barry Bannan has returned to Sheffield Wednesday just six months on from his emotional farewell at Hillsborough.

The 36-year-old was applauded off the pitch against Bristol City back in January, joining Millwall during the winter window after 11 years with the Owls.

Emotions were mixed, but with Wednesday desperately struggling financially, the owners were backed into a corner in terms of transfers.

Now, Bannan has returned on a one-year deal after the Owls dropped down to League One, hoping to take the club straight back to the Championship.

Wednesday finished rock-bottom of the Championship in 2025-26, having been docked a total of 18 points due to their financial situation.

While a lot of the reaction has been hugely positive, with the club legend extending his story at Hillsborough, others aren't yet convinced.

Barry Bannan's Sheffield Wednesday return fields mixed reaction

Labelling a "sentimental" move by the new owners, Wednesday fans have criticised bringing Bannan back ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Sorry but am I the only one who can’t forgive? If the club means that much to him why go in the first place. It’s like taking an ex back after they cheated on you !! 😔😔
— Dean (@DJ_WAWAWA) July 9, 2026

Agree mate, first wrong move for me, will be taking a fair wedge out of the wage budget as well but it’s a sentimental fan base who always want to go back, should have taken the opportunity to move on.
— Liam (@Dronfield_Owl) July 9, 2026

Horrendous decision by the new owner. Club just can't get out of its own way.
— Masanovic (@masanovic2015) July 9, 2026

That opinion might change completely if he can lead the Owls back to the Championship, but next term is going to be anything but easy in League One.

Leicester City, Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and Huddersfield Town will all be battling for the automatic promotion spots, making for a very difficult campaign.

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What has Bannan said upon returning to Hillsborough?

While some may disagree with the signing, nobody will able to argue against his ambition, which will be to take Wednesday back to the Championship next season.

Speaking to the club, he said: “This club means so much to me and my family so to have the opportunity to come back, I didn’t have to think twice about it.

"I’m just delighted and I can’t wait to get going again. I always had it in my mind I would be coming back to Wednesday in some capacity so to get this done now is brilliant.

Bannan made 477 appearances during his 11-year-stay at Hillsborough, and now he's very likely to break the 500-mark next season.

The 36-year-old has had an incredible career, especially with the Owls, but helping the club back out of League One might go down at the best greatest achievement of them all.

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