Sheffield Wednesday’s North Stand at Hillsborough faces closure and Josh Windass declines an interview on the club’s plight.
BBC Sport report that part of the stadium could be closed for the start of the 2025/26 Championship season with the city council warning it may not be able to approve the safety certificate necessary for it to be used by fans.
This is due to extensive corrosion in the roof’s main steel trusses requires urgent repair work, potentially including beam replacements.
A spokesperson for the club stated that they are committed to start repairs immediately and requested an away fixture on August 10th to allow more time, with the first home game on August 16th.
The North Stand, a pioneering cantilever design, has a capacity of 9,255, with 54 wheelchair spaces and seating for up to 360 disabled fans.
Repair work may continue between fixtures, and the council’s safety advisory group will review progress at a meeting on Friday.
Hillsborough’s capacity is 34,835, and a safety certificate is mandatory for grounds exceeding 10,000 capacity.
ANOTHER twist at Sheffield Wednesday…
The North Stand at Hillsborough is now set be closed because it’s been deemed UNSAFE by the City Council (via: @BBCSheffield)
Kind of symbolic which stand it is… pic.twitter.com/k7y4zU0JrU
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) July 17, 2025
The club had had talks with contractors about repair work on the North Stand, with it “potentially continuing during the season in between fixtures.”
Joe Otten, chair of the environmental services and regulation policy committee at Sheffield City Council: “As the certifying authority, we carry out our duties in working with organisations to make sure that they meet the requirements of the safety certificate that we issue to them.”
“It’s vital for all of them to make sure that they provide a safe sports ground.”
He adds that the group are meeting again on Friday, with the club expected to provide an update on repair work.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday confirmed the departures of two players: “The Owls can confirm that the current contracts of Michael Smith and Josh Windass have been terminated by mutual consent.
“Both players leave Hillsborough with immediate effect.
“Smith made 127 appearances for the Owls, scoring 33 goals, since signing in June 2022.
“Windass posted 182 appearances, scoring 53 goals, having joined Wednesday – initially on loan – in January 2020.
“Sheffield Wednesday thank Michael and Josh for their services and wish them well for the future.”
Alex Crook has tweeted: “We asked the departing Josh Windass to join us on @talkSPORT this morning to discuss the club’s plight. He declined out of respect to #SWFC fans. If only the unscrupulous owner running a once great club into the ground has the same respect. The EFL have to act now.”
Joe Crann said: “My concern is that whatever allowed Windass and Smith to leave #SWFC for free could well open up the door for others to follow them.
“Paying them when they did obviously didn’t sort things out, so it’s anybody’s guess what happens now. Free for all.”
Windass wrote: “I have given my heart and soul to this club. Thank you 🦉
“Wow. Five and a half seasons at this incredible football club, I can’t explain just how much I have enjoyed playing for this club, representing the badge and the people of Sheffield.
“To the staff that have worked with me behind the scenes, to the players, and to the supporters – I can not thank you enough for the love and support you have given me during the time I have been here.
“I can categorically tell you without any hesitation that I have given ‘100% in every single day in training session and at every game.
“My goal is to always give supporters moments to remember when they go home from a game, and hopefully that is what I have done and I hope you remember me that way.
“I will never ever forget Sheffield Wednesday and for sure I’ll be a fan for life. Thankyou again and hopefully I’ll see you again soon X”
Barry Bannan commented: What a player and guy u will be missed a friend forever 😢❤️
Liam Palmer: Been some ride brother 💙🦉
Pierce Charles: Good luck bro ❤️
George Byers: Windass 💙💙
Dominic Iorfa: All the best bro 💙
Charlie McNeil: All the best bro ❤️🙏
Jamal Lowe: All the best G
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Here’s how fans reacted as Sheffield Wednesday’s North Stand faces closure and Josh Windass declines to have an interview on the club’s plight…
@scottcain1312: Message him back and tell him the fans want him to come out and tell us the truth what’s going on
@Turk_S8: The fans deserve to know. The information from the club is total silence and we are not getting told anything whilst all fearing our once great club is being run in to the ground to simply cease trading.
@MReidy1984: Shame we wouldn have respected him even more if came on and told us all.
@Christoph0512: Chansiri’s gagging everyone that leaves, isn’t he? Windass is never shy to speak up. #swfc
@AlanMaris: I don’t understand Josh’s stance here, apologies if I’m missing the obvious. Though I feel our plight needs discussing on a national platform. I’m of the view almost any publicity is good publicity. It raises awareness and who knows where that may lead. #swfc
@vernonmintern: I’m done, I know no one will care, but I cannot support this club I love, when it is mismanaged this badly and run into the ground. This club won’t get another penny from me until the regime changes.
@PaulGre47516038: How the hell are we putting a team out for the up coming season. And how are the efl sitting back and watching this unfold and still saying hes a fit and proper owner
@harvey_walters_: Good idea in theory but get real. People go on about Rohl struggling to get a new job because of the way he’s acted. Imagine how it would look for him to come out and slag off his employer of 5.5 years (granted an incredibly poor one). He was never going to.
@1867Logan: no issues calling his teammate shit on a pod though
@Pete_Ash68: What is happening at S6 is genuinely heartbreaking. I’m trying not to care, trying to remain ambivalent, how can I? They’ve been part of my life for over 40 years. FUCK YOU CHANSIRI… FUCK YOU!!!! #swfc #wawaw
@dannyswfc1867: Reyt enough now. I bought my ST in jan in good faith we would have a competitive team. Now i have an overpriced season ticket to watch the academy lads in a stadium that may or may not be safe. You are taking the piss now chansiri
@Dwebbo86: It was clear Windass has wanted out for a while and to his credit, like a few others he stuck with the club when they went down to L1. But if you’re expecting unwavering loyalty from footballers then you’re foolish. You give players an exit door, they’re gonna head for it #swfc
@LbRudyard: Josh Windass, whatever you think about him, goes down in Wednesday folklore. Scoring a last minute winner at Wembley to get us promoted in a South Yorkshire Derby has never been done before. As well as being only the second this century for 50+ goals. Thank you, Josh. #swfc
All that’s left since the last away day. Me and Dad in the circle. What can change in 75 days!? Never thought it’d come to this… #swfc
Pic colour edit courtesy of @hootareya 👍 pic.twitter.com/YtELjJG5nm
— Tom Chittenden (@tjchitt86) July 18, 2025
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