Josh Windass talks to The Star on his time at Sheffield Wednesday, their ongoing situation, his exit, and Wrexham’s owners.
He discussed his exit, citing a broken promise over a new contract after taking a pay cut, which led to a loss of trust and his decision to join Wrexham. Windass praised Wrexham’s owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, for their genuine and personal approach, noting their ambition to reach the “promised land” of promotion.
He expressed sadness over Sheffield Wednesday’s current struggles but remains optimistic about their future due to their strong fan base and experienced players, hoping both clubs can succeed.
“The word was broken, so I just carried on playing and did my job. I knew from then that at the end of that season it was time to leave, I did my job and gave it everything but that promise was broken.”
A great Josh Windass interview from @AlexMiller91. https://t.co/o1LmUSmjYp
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) September 10, 2025
On his time at Sheffield Wednesday: “It was incredible. I feel like I did really well for them and they were really good for me. In terms of the supporters, players and managers I worked with, I hope I’ve got that relationship you’d want after such a long time at one club.
“All the physios, masseurs, Ash the kit man, they’re amazing.
“The time I had at that club was great for me and I’m really happy to be where I am now, but I’m also so grateful for what the club gave me across those five years.”
On his exit: “I had a conversation in the January about it (a new contract).
“When I signed my contract last summer, I took a bit of a pay cut because the season before I had an injury.
“That was on the terms that if I was playing a lot and scoring goals, I would be offered a new contract.
“For whatever reason that never materialised and so I lost the trust behind that plan.
“The word was broken, so I just carried on playing and did my job.
“I knew from then that at the end of that season it was time to leave, I did my job and gave it everything but that promise was broken. I decided to move on and I’m delighted to be here (at Wrexham) now.”
On Wrexham’s owners, Windass said: “They’re great guys. They both sent me a little text after I got injured and that, which is a nice touch.
“They’re really personal and you wouldn’t think Ryan Reynolds is Ryan Reynolds when you speak to him, he’s just the nicest guy.
“They ask about my family and stuff, nothing about football, they’re just genuine fellas.
“They’ve been winning non-stop for three years and now to get here where the next step is the promised land as they say.
“If I can do that it would be great. I’ve been trying to do that in the last few years with Wednesday but obviously it wasn’t to be.
“I’ve come here and there’s a group that has had so many millions on them to give it a crack, that’s what I’m here for.”
Asked whether the situation at Wednesday hurts him, he said: “It does. When I was at the club I got on with the chairman and his family.
“It’s easy for me to say now and I know I might get hammered by the fans for this, but I do believe they care about the club.
“The way it’s been run the last couple of years, it might be difficult to believe that, because of the trouble they’re in. Obviously the situation seems to have got on top of people.
“Everything in football comes in cycles and Sheffield Wednesday will turn it around.
“A club with that fan base of that size, it’s inevitable that that club will turn around one way or another.
“It’s a strong team, though obviously the depth isn’t where you’d want it to be.
“The team they have out there with the experience of Baz, Max, Yan is going to be good.
“But it’s sad, you want to see a team like that doing what we (Wrexham) are, but obviously that’s not always the case.
“I want the club to do really well. If we were fighting it out for first and second that would be amazing, if we were both fighting for the play-offs that would be amazing.
“But I just want the club to get back on its feet and you can see with the supporters, they deserve that.”
Josh Windass speaks on decision to sign for Wrexham after leaving Sheffield Wednesday
Twitter users reacted as Josh Windass talks on time at Sheffield Wednesday, their situation, his exit, and Wrexham’s owners…
@fife_owl: Yet another example of Chansiri’s incompetent dealings with player contracts. #EnoughIsEnough
@CarlWoodrow: A broken promise from Chansiri? What a shocker
@Jamesreaney92: ‘Can tell they care about the club’ Nonsense, care about the club as much as you Joshy boy, been angling a move for years. If they cared about the club they’d have sold well before Windass was allowed to leave through non payment of wages. #swfc
@HellzBellz68: If he was angling for a move for years why did he sign a new contract at the beginning of last season?
@Jamesreaney92: Nobody else wanted him due to injury problems? Took a pay cut but was still on more than anyone else would pay him? Why sign the contract then not wanna honour the extra year
@HellzBellz68: Nope. He could have signed for WBA at least. He signed a contract that was to be renegotiated at a future point. It wasn’t. He was lied to. It says exactly that in the article.
@Jamesreaney92: But still claims Channers cares? Contradictory that really. My point is, he had no intention of been of Hillsborough this season, even if a contract was offered, his own Dad essentially confirmed that before Watford, he was looking for an excuse to jump ship, good player but still
@HellzBellz68: Caring and being incompetent are 2 different things. I think he is now beyond caring though.
@Jamesreaney92: Genuinely believe he won’t be happy unless we go out of business because the customers have voiced discontent.
@roblittlewood: Good of Windass to open up. None of that is a shock. There will be others told one thing and another happens. Terms change in between verbal agreements and the paper being put in front of people.
@lukepeo1867: All about him thank fuck he’s gone
@RIchardWeaver10: Can’t believe people are still slating one of the best players we’ve had in recent years. He said the club broke their promise so he left baffles people don’t understand that
@Skeggygoodo: Who gives a fk about him now. If he truly cared he’d still be here.
@1867josh: Keep these sort of interviews coming
@J_swfc1867: Don’t hate the player. Hate the Owner Dejphon Chansiri #swfc
@harvey_walters_: people going at him for not staying 🤣🤣🤣 what did you expect? if you were offered a long term deal at an ambitious club, or yet another 1 year deal at a sinking ship where your wages aren’t a guarantee, whilst having a family to provide for, there’s only 1 choice #swfc
@stevetomlin01: 2 things Harvey. We had a year option that he’d signed we didn’t offer him another year. 2 he wanted out for months and was talking to club/clubs before the end of the season
@harvey_walters_: That second things covered in the article. The club broke a promise so he started planning his next steps, like every other player/manager would. And the first thing, he only had the option of a single year with us left. I’m sure Wrexham offered him 3 years on much higher money
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