Sheffield Wednesday have been a club in crisis for a lengthy period of time under Dejphon Chansiri. However, this summer’s culmination of player contracts and real Championship ambition has dampened the mood of Owls fans excessively.
Through Thick and Thin
One piece of exciting and crucial news has emerged within the last hour: club captain and true leader, Barry Bannan, has put pen to paper on a contract extension with Wednesday. The 35-year-old has been a mainstay for ten years at Hillsborough, amassing 447 appearances prior to this breaking announcement.
The former Scotland international, between 2010 and 2019, trained during pre-season with the club, but speculation – and estimation based on other players’ situations – suggested Bannan would be departing as well this summer.
Club Legend Speaks on Personal Situation
The midfielder had this to say to Wednesday’s media team upon his contract announcement:
“Being out of contract was the first time that has happened to me in my career so it’s been hard.
“Today puts that to bed. Deep down inside I always knew what I wanted to do but at times it seemed like what I didn’t want to do could happen, but now I’m delighted to get it done and I can look forward again.
“There’s loads of reasons really…I’ve made it clear over the years my love for the club and the love I receive back.
“This club is a big part of me and my family, who are with me here today as I’m signing. They will always stand by me with whatever decision I make and I’ve decided to stay.
As a family man, perhaps the most important influence to the 35-year-old is his daughter, Elsie:
“We had a lot of conversations as a family and when I told my daughter Elsie that I might be leaving she started crying. Then last night when I told her I was staying she started crying again. I asked her why and she said they are just happy tears.”
Writer’s View
Sheffield Wednesday’s eighth-highest club appearing player will bring some sort of stability to an exceptionally unstable atmosphere. Bannan will likely be lauded as a legend (if he wasn’t already cemented as one) due to a commitment that no other contract-expiring squad player has shown through tough times.
The midfielder may see a decline in goalscoring and contributing actions as he re-enters a much weaker Owls squad, but his importance in midfield will be at an all-time high mentally. Despite Bannan entering the twilight stage of his career, impressive performances haven’t slowed due to age.
