Sheffield Wednesday Legend Reunites With Former Teammates for Special Event

Barry Bannan celebrates charity event with former Owls Teammates

For over ten years, Barry Bannan was not just Sheffield Wednesday's midfielder, he was the soul of the club. Captaining the club for five and a half of his ten and a half seasons.

On this day in 2015 🗓️

Sheffield Wednesday signed Barry Bannan! 10 years on, now a legend at the club 🦉pic.twitter.com/tkHdTh6yBY

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) August 31, 2025

The Scot signed for Wednesday from Aston Villa in 2015, and would make nearly 500 total appearances for the Hillsborough club. Including staying with the side during their time in EFL League One, despite popular belief he had more than enough quality to play for many Championship clubs.

With Bannan as captain, Wednesday earned promotion back to the second tier in the most dramatic of circumstances. After losing the first leg of the playoff semi final vs Peterborough 4-0, Wednesday defied the odds in the second leg at Hillsborough, going 3-0 ahead before a 90+7 minute equaliser send the tie to extra time, where both team's scored to send it to penalties.

Wednesday triumphed, but the drama was far from done there. As in the final Josh Windass Headed home in the last minute at Wembley to send Wednesday up in the most dramatic of playoff finals.

Play-off semi-finals: Miracle second leg comeback after being 4-0 down 🔥

Play-off final: Last minute winner in extra-time 🏆

Sheffield Wednesday are back in the Championship! 🔵⬆️

pic.twitter.com/Rm3QcwANOi

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) May 29, 2023

However, the last year has been one of the toughest in the club's recent history. Financial and ownership trouble off the pitch has led to problems on it, with Wednesday at the foot of the Championship table and already confirmed to be heading down due to a mixture of points deudvitons and poor results.

But perhaps the most heartbreaking for Owls fans was Bannan's departure from the club during the 2026 January transfer window. As after nearly eleven full seasons, Bannan said a visibly emotional and tearful goodbye to the Wednesday fans after his final appearance away at Bristol City, and departed for playoff hopefuls Millwall on an eighteen month contract.

An emotional farewell for Barry Bannan on his final game for Sheffield Wednesday 😢

The 36-year-old midfielder is linked with a move to Millwall after making 435 league appearances for the Owls pic.twitter.com/kykS7MJfJc

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 24, 2026

Bannan Hosts Charity Event

But just weeks after leaving Hillsborough, Bannan returned to the city of Sheffield for a charity night for Sheffield Children's Hospital and the Bright Young Dreams Campaign.

Bannan hosted the event alongside Wednesday fan Steve Bracknall, with the likes of current captain Liam Palmer, Shea Charles and Henrik Pedersen also attending.

At the Barry Bannan charity do for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Incredible event as always. Lovely to see Harry Amass and Shea Charles among the players here supporting Baz and a wonderful charity.#SWFC🦉 pic.twitter.com/Ep7OjT47If

— Alex Miller (@AlexJPMiller) March 1, 2026

Sheffield Children's Hospital posted on Instagram stating their thanks to everyone involved for what they described as an 'incredible night'.

The caption also read "Held shortly after Barry Bannan's departure from Sheffield Wednesday, the evening marked the end of an unforgettable chapter for the club - while celebrating the lifelong bond between Barry, the fans and the city. And if the atmosphere was anything to go by, this won't be the last time we come together".

The event highlights just how much both Sheffield Wednesday means to Barry Bannan, and how much Barry Bannan means to Sheffield Wednesday. Showing that Bannan was and still is more than just a footballer to both Wednesday and the city of Sheffield as a whole. He remains, and always will be, a legend to the club who gave his heart and soul to the Owls for his best years when he could have easily moved on to bigger things.

A role model and icon for all Wednesday fans, and a player who in a modern era of football where loyalty is rare, showed incredible dedication to a club in over a decade of partnership.