Barry Bannan’s real reason for leaving Sheffield Wednesday F.C. finally comes to light

Barry Bannan’s emotional exit from Sheffield Wednesday F.C. has reportedly been explained, with fresh details revealing the midfielder lost faith in the club’s ownership situation before eventually leaving Hillsborough.

The Owls legend departed South Yorkshire during the winter transfer window to join Millwall F.C. amid one of the darkest periods in Sheffield Wednesday’s recent history.

Former owner Dejphon Chansiri plunged the club into administration, triggering an 18-point deduction that effectively condemned Wednesday to relegation from the Championship to League One.

The financial collapse also sparked a mass exodus at Hillsborough, with key figures such as Josh Windass, Djeidi Gassama, and Anthony Musaba all departing, while manager Danny Röhl also moved on.

Despite the chaos, the mood around Wednesday has dramatically improved following the successful takeover by David Storch and the Arise consortium. Supporters celebrated the new era by watching the Owls defeat West Bromwich Albion F.C. 2-1 in front of a packed Hillsborough crowd on the final day of the season.

Bannan’s departure remains one of the most painful moments for supporters given his legendary status at the club.

The midfielder spent 15 years with Wednesday after arriving from Crystal Palace F.C. in 2015 and became one of the defining players of the modern era at Hillsborough. He helped guide the club to Championship play-off campaigns in both 2015/16 and 2016/17 and remained loyal following relegation to League One in 2021, later helping Wednesday secure promotion back to the Championship in 2023.

Across his time at the club, Bannan made 477 appearances and scored 38 goals, cementing his place as one of Wednesday’s all-time fan favourites.

Now, according to reports from Wednesday Word and comments made by journalist Alan Biggs, the real reason behind Bannan’s exit has become clearer.

Biggs claimed the midfielder lost confidence in the club’s then-preferred takeover bidders and would likely have stayed had the Arise consortium been leading negotiations at that stage.

Before Arise completed their successful takeover, businessman James Bord had been viewed as the preferred bidder for the club, though that deal eventually collapsed.

In hindsight, many supporters now view the failed Bord takeover as a blessing in disguise, with Storch and Arise quickly restoring optimism and unity after years of instability under Chansiri.

Those developments have now fuelled growing belief that a sensational Bannan return could become possible.

Reports suggest Sheffield Wednesday have already discussed internally the possibility of re-signing their former captain ahead of next season. With financial stability finally returning to Hillsborough and Bannan no longer having a route to Premier League football after Millwall’s Championship play-off elimination by Hull City A.F.C., the conditions may now be in place for an emotional reunion.

Given Bannan’s outstanding record in League One — including seven goals and 13 assists during the 2022/23 promotion-winning campaign — many fans believe bringing him back could be crucial as Wednesday attempt to rebuild under the club’s new ownership.