Astonishing Barry Bannan stat highlights key reason why Sheffield Wednesday will miss him so much
Sheffield Wednesday are going to have to learn to try and cope without Barry Bannan.
For supporters of a certain age, it is impossible to imagine a Sheffield Wednesday without Barry Bannan.
After ten-and-a-half years at Hillsborough, the Scot is expected to leave the club in the coming days and join Championship counterparts Millwall. It is understood he travelled to London for a medical on Monday.
He made his 477th and what is shaping up to have been his final appearance in Wednesday colours in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Bristol City at Ashton Gate. The Scot broke down in tears following the full-time whistle after being pushed in front of the away end by his teammates, resulting in him having be consoled by Liam Palmer and Liam Cooper.
It is understood Bannan is leaving Wednesday because of a lack of assurances about the club’s future amid the ongoing takeover situation. A preferred bidder was identified just before Christmas and the English Football League (EFL) is now conducting the necessary checks.
Nevertheless, Bannan’s impending exit marks a sad juncture in Wednesday’s rich and colourful history. Signed on a free transfer from Crystal Palace back in August 2015, nobody could have possibly predicted the way his S6 career would unfold.
Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Bannan became an instant fans’ favourite, quickly becoming the subject of a song comparing him to French icon Zinedine Zidane. Some Wednesdayites might find it difficult to detach that song from their matchday playlist.
Every Wednesdayite will be able to speak of fond memories of Bannan. He was at the centre of so many memorable moments that will be cherished for years to come.
His wand of a left foot made him a joy to watch at Hillsborough, likewise his dedication and commitment to the cause. His impending exit will leave a huge, gaping hole that Wednesday must somehow try and fill. However, finding another player in the mould of Bannan, factoring in all what he has done for Wednesday down the years, might just prove to be an impossible task.
His talent, his loyalty and his character make Bannan who he is. Social media tributes led by Liam Palmer and Di’Shon Bernard have demonstrated just how well respected he has been for the last ten-and-a-half years both at Hillsborough and at Middlewood Road.
Alongside his talent, his reliability also played a huge part in making his Wednesday career what it was. Making his debut against Burnley at Turf Moor in September 2015, Bannan could never have possibly imagined just how big a role he would play for more than a decade.
Bannan’s reliability was exceptional
Playing under nine permanent managers, plus a handful of appearances under caretakers Lee Bullen and Neil Thompson, Bannan’s durability never wavered, not even this season when he and his teammates have been pushed to the absolute limit because of the crisis the club finds itself in because of former owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Should Bannan’s exit officially go through ahead of this weekend’s clash with Wrexham, Wednesday will have played 483 league games between Bannan’s arrival and his departure.
Of those 483 games, Bannan missed out on the matchday squad because of non-suspension related issues just 37 times, highlighting just how reliable he was throughout his Wednesday career. His longest stint out of action came during the 2017/18 campaign when he missed 16 consecutive league games due to a hip injury.
Wednesday experienced a torrid injury crisis during the 2017/18 season, being deprived of a catalogue of important players at the same time, meaning Bannan was not alone in experiencing a lengthy period out of the side in what proved to be a massively underwhelming 150th anniversary campaign.
His second longest period of unavailability in the league for non-suspension related reasons stood at just three games - a tally he chalked up on two separate occasions, first in 2022/23 and then the following season. That is quite the record.
Turning 36 last month, it would have been understandable had Bannan’s reliability weakened in the last two or three years. Instead, he remained as reliable as ever, missing out on the matchday squad just eight times in the league since Wednesday returned to the Championship ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
His durability and reliability, alongside his all-round game and personality, are important reasons why Wednesday will miss him so much.