Barry Bannan drops emotional Sheffield Wednesday message pre-Bradford | OneFootball

Barry Bannan is preparing for his first game back at Hillsborough since returning to the club earlier this summer

Barry Bannan has claimed that it is going to be emotional when he makes his return to Hillsborough for Sheffield Wednesday’s clash against Bradford City.

The Owls will be hosting their first home game of the new campaign, and are expecting a capacity crowd for what will be the 36-year-old’s homecoming.

The midfielder spent 10-and-a-half years with the Yorkshire outfit before signing for Millwall last January, but he has since made his return to Hillsborough this summer.

Bannan featured in the team’s 2-1 win against Leyton Orient last weekend, but will now be preparing for a first home game for the club since completing his comeback.

The Scot was visibly emotional when he was substituted in the team’s 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City last January prior to his switch to the Lions.

And it could again be quite emotional for him as he makes his return on Thursday evening for the clash against the Bantams.

Barry Bannan reflects on Hillsborough farewell

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Bannan has claimed that he was not expecting to make a return to Sheffield Wednesday when he last played at Hillsborough, which really brought out his emotions.

He is unsure how he will react against Bradford, but he is expecting to be another emotional affair on Thursday evening in front of a full home crowd.

When asked how it’s going to feel walking back out at Hillsborough, Bannan responded, via Joe Crann on X: “Amazing.

“I think leaving you don’t think you’re ever going to come back because you’re 36, it might never happen again.

“So that was all that emotion because it felt like it could be the end, but hopefully it’s not, so that’s why it all came out like that.

“But I think it might be just as bad going back out there.

“I don’t know how I’m going to take it.

“I didn’t think I was going to react the way I reacted when I left.”

Barry Bannan’s excitement for Hillsborough return

Bannan revealed that he got a bit of stick from his wife for being more emotional for his final Hillsborough game than seeing her walk down the aisle, but he is ultimately looking forward to getting back in front of the Sheffield Wednesday supporters and his family.

“So, my wife was on to me about that because she’s adamant that I never cried when she walked down the aisle — I did, but she’s adamant I never [did] — so she was a bit surprised that I was crying,” he added.

“But it might be the same when I go back out there because it’s going to be a different emotion completely.

“You look at your kids in the stand again, and your wife in the stand again, I don’t know how it’s going to go.

“But, I’m excited for that, I’m looking forward to it.

“I can’t wait to get back to playing in front of the fans at Hillsborough, deja vu all over again.”

Bannan started last weekend as Sheffield Wednesday got off to a winning start to the new League One season.

The midfielder played the full 90 minutes as goals from Callum Slattery and Jamal Lowe sealed all three points away from home.

He made 470 appearances in his first stint with the Yorkshire outfit, and will now be aiming to reach the 500 mark during this second spell.

The Scot also previously enjoyed promotion success in the third tier, and Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping that he can lead the team to the same feat again this season.

Henrik Pedersen’s side will now be aiming to make it back-to-back wins to start the new campaign when they face Bradford on Thursday evening in an 8pm kick-off.

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Barry Bannan’s Hillsborough return will be emotional

Bannan was only gone for six months, but it felt like a lot longer as it was unclear if he’d ever get the chance to return when he originally left.

Sheffield Wednesday were at rock bottom in the first half of 2026, but the new ownership have restored a lot of positivity around the club.

Bringing Bannan back as one of their first moves was a great piece of business, and he will have a great impact both on and off the pitch this season.

His first game back will be another emotional affair, and the team will be aiming to cap it off with a first home win of the new season as well.