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Barry Bannan gives emotional farewell speaking on leaving Sheffield Wednesday for Millwall

Barry Bannan gives an emotional farewell when speaking on leaving Sheffield Wednesday for Millwall for an undisclosed fee.

The 36-year-old has agreed an 18-month contract with the Lions after making 477 appearances for the Owls who he spent more than a decade with.

Barry Bannan could make his debut against Sheffield United this weekend, with his new club Millwall sitting 5th in the Championship table, 6 points from 2nd, Sheffield United are 17th with 35 points from 28 games, 6 points above the drop zone and 9 from the playoffs.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY STATEMENT:

Sheffield Wednesday can confirm that Barry Bannan has joined Millwall on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.

Barry has agreed an 18-month contract with the Lions and leaves the Owls with the sincere best wishes of everyone at the club following an exemplary decade-long period of service.

The Scot played a colossal 477 games for Wednesday since signing on a free transfer in August 2015, earning a fifth-placed position on our all-time appearances list.

Millwall made an approach for Barry and, with a heavy heart, he has decided it is an offer that he must accept and gives him the chance to fight for promotion to the Premier League.

Given the club’s current position in Administration, the Administrators are unable to give the assurances that Barry was understandably seeking. Equally, the preferred bidder was unable to make any binding commitments to Barry until the regulatory process, which remains ongoing, is completed and ownership formally changes.

Barry leaves Sheffield Wednesday as one of the club’s modern greats, an inspirational leader on both sides of the white line. Through promotion pushes, relegation battles and periods of extreme difficulty, his commitment, professionalism and passion for Sheffield Wednesday have never wavered.

He departs with the deepest respect and gratitude of everyone at Hillsborough, and we all hope he returns to Sheffield Wednesday in some capacity in the future.

Barry Bannan – thank you.

Barry said: “I walked into the building not really knowing what to expect obviously, leaving Palace at the time. I was walking into the unknown but as soon as I came into the place I felt loved from day one. Looking all the way back it’s hard to remember these sort of things but I remember coming into a club that took to me straight away.

“Obviously we played Burnley away, it was my first game and I started that game and felt the fans were behind me straight away. I was being a new signing and they got right behind me that game but I don’t think it was too long after that. I can’t remember a game, well maybe the one that stands out is probably the Birmingham City game later on that season away from home.

“I remember my family, my mum and dad being in the stand and I think we had loads of the fans with Barry Barron masks that day. That was the day where I thought I’ve won over the fan base here. The song got made pretty quickly, I think that day it got blasted out obviously with it being Birmingham City.

“Their fans don’t really like me a lot so I think our fan base felt they had to protect me that day and that was when the song got really going. Ever since then it’s been sang at every game which is a massive privilege for me.”

Interviewer: “If we focus on the pitch for now, what will your best memories be when you look back now?”

Barry: “I’ve had loads to be honest. I’ve always said Wembley the first time against Hull was the best worst day of my life really. I remember looking out at Wembley that day before the game and seeing blue and white everywhere. At the end of that game they stayed in, every one of them, and clapped us even though we lost which is very rarely seen.

“That day at Wembley was unbelievable, so that was one of them. There were a few that season to be fair, the Brighton away, Arsenal at home in the cup. They were big big moments of the season in special special atmospheres.

“Brighton at home as well where all the lights and the phones were on. Then probably further down the line, the miracle obviously at Peterborough. Getting back here and turning that thing around which will be remembered forever here. That was massive as well.

“Staying up in the Championship on the last day of the season at Sunderland was amazing. Wembley against Barnsley obviously as well.

“The one most recent was the game on Saturday at Bristol City was something that I’ve never ever witnessed before in my life.

“I didn’t sleep the night before so I was tired in the game. I remember being tired in the game but I didn’t have a chance to really take the game in.

“It was more thinking about things that I shouldn’t be thinking about when I’m playing football. So it was really hard but the bit at the end made it all worth it really. As I said, that’s why you’re in football. To get that support that I got on Saturday from start to finish was something that I’ll take to my grave.”

Interviewer: “If you look off the pitch, it’s not just what you’ve done on the pitch. You’ve taken the community to heart. You’ve been an ambassador for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Your connection to the club is so much more than just the football isn’t it? You’ve really taken Sheffield and the community to be part of you I guess.”

Barry: “As I said, this city has given me and my family everything. The best years of our lives so far have been in this city. It was always good to give something back. Being so popular in this city, you have a role.

“You’re a role model for the younger ones growing up. I’ve always felt as if I have to give back to this place because it’s given me so much. It’s my second home really, this city. It was always good to try and give something back to this city.

“Becoming the ambassador of the Children’s Hospital was a massive thing for me. I’ve made some great friends for life in that charity. I’ll continue to do that going forward. I’ve obviously got the charity night on the 1st of March this year, which has been a success so far.

“This city has given me a lot. It was only right that I give back by being a role model for the kids growing up and the adults who also look up to me. Showing them how to do things.

“At the club, there’s been some people at the training ground that have been here for way longer than me who are still there. It’s not just about leaving a club really, it’s about leaving relationships.

“You’ve seen these people every day for 11 years. Whether you want to or not, you have to see them.

“That’s the hardest thing for me. You’re walking out on people who you’ve seen every day for 11 years, who are amazing friends, Because you’ve done that as well, they’ll always be friends. They’ll always be there. They’re at the other end of the phone.

“You’ll go and have coffees with them. To not see them every day is hard, and it will be hard. It’s been an amazing 11 years with these people.

“Some of them will be glad to see the back of me. I’m not shouting abuse at them or telling them off like my teammates.

“They’re probably happy that I’m gone now and they don’t have the old man shouting at them. That’s been amazing, so many relationships. As I said, this family, Sheffield Wednesday families, gave a lot to my family. It’s all they know.

“They’ll be gutted, everybody now. It’s obviously been a tough weekend, but they’ll be Wednesday fans forever. It’s just an amazing club.

“I’ve been lucky to be here for so long. Now it’s everything to me. I’ve had an amazing 11 years here. It’s an amazing club, and hopefully they get back to where they should be.”

Interviewer: “If we just end with a message to the fans?”

Barry: “Probably start by thanking you for the 11 years that I’ve been here. It’s been amazing. As I said, and I’ve said all along, hopefully, God willing, in the future, that I’ll probably be back here in some capacity. Whether it’s coaching, as a fan, whatever it may be. I could be in the stadium. I will. I will be in the stadium when I’m finished with it anyway. Because of you, I’ve stayed here so long. As I said, thank you, and hopefully one day we meet again.”

MILLWALL STATEMENT:

Millwall Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Barry Bannan from Sheffield Wednesday.
The midfielder joins The Lions for an undisclosed fee and pens an 18-month contract in SE16.

Bannan, 36, moves south after a decade at Hillsborough, where he became an Owls legend after making over 450 appearances across the Sky Bet Championship and League One.

The Scot, who counts loan spells at Derby County, Blackpool, Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers in his career, also has international caps for The Tartan Army, alongside European and Premier League experience for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

“I’m really pleased to bring Barry into our football club,” said Steve Gallen, The Lions’ Director of Football.

“He’s a player that myself, Alex [Neil] and football fans all over the country have admired for many years. He has been an outstanding player for Sheffield Wednesday and one of the best players in The Championship for a number of years.

“He is bright, sharp, intelligent and has great awareness. One of the things I like about him the most is his adaptability; he can play in a number of positions, something that Alex and I have spoken about on a number of occasions.

“He also brings big-game experience, which will hopefully help us between now and the end of the season. I’m delighted to bring a very good football player into the club.”

Barry will be available for selection as The Lions host Sheffield United at The Den this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Here’s how fans reacted as Barry Bannan gives an emotional farewell when speaking on leaving Sheffield Wednesday for Millwall…

@k3zz4x: I hate this club right now. The mans dedicated his last 10years and hes been let go for what, to keep lights on over weekend. The man is our club, he deserves better, us fans deserve better! This is our club and whoever the new owner turns out to be would be wise to remember that

@Chaozartist: From a Millwall fan we’re look after him and hope Wednesday smash league one next year no club deserves to go through what u have 👏👏👏

@lucyfairbank: Very sad he’s had to leave in this way at this point 💙 never be forgotten and hope the door is wide open for a return. Got to be one of the saddest days, and hope preferred bidders know what a loss this is to Wednesday

@NickHampsey: Feels like there’s been a death

@MrPaulPashley: And then you take the soul of the club away.. Some rebuild you’ve got on your hands.

@LowleyW: Because of you, I’m crying at Uni rn

@babygibbo: Heartbreaking, but worse is watching how down @bazzabannan25 & the rest of the lads are at the end of each loss. This season was never going to be sustainable, even with the 110% effort; but we turn up cause they turn up! Time to start enjoying your football again Baz! #swfc

@mozzaev: Welling up at work watching all these Bazza videos, been a Wednesdayite is hard sometimes…

@IllustrationsJf: @bazzabannan25 Thank you for your service to our club.Its hard to say goodbye but I know you’ll be back. I want to mark Feb 14th as ‘Baz Appreciation Day.’ For all fans to come and pack out Hillsborough and give you the send off you deserve. #swfc @swfc @MillwallFC

@Gothard_1986: There isn’t the words to describe what you mean to this fanbase. Good luck for the future and thank you for everything. One day be back 🤞🤞

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