Barry Bannan, Sheffield Wednesday evidence may always surprise Derby County & Leeds United | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday icon Barry Bannan will always shock Leeds United and Derby County supporters...

Barry Bannan’s name is now synonymous with Sheffield Wednesday but many fans forget that he had forgettable stints with both Leeds United and Derby County.

For over a decade, the Scot was the heartbeat at Hillsborough — captain, creator, and constant. In an era where loyalty is fleeting and squads turn over quickly, Bannan has remained an enduring reference point. His influence has stretched across promotion pushes, relegation battles, and everything in between.

Yet what is often forgotten is that, earlier in his career, Bannan had brief and largely unremarkable loan spells at both Derby County and Leeds United. At the time, few would have predicted that he would go on to become one of the most influential players in Wednesday’s modern history.

Looking back now, those short stints feel like sliding-doors moments — particularly for two clubs who may well be surprised at the level of force he ultimately became and the influence he had at Hillsborough, as well as an incredible legacy in their blue and white colours.

Barry Bannan's loan stints with Derby County and Leeds United

Bannan arrived in English football’s senior scene with a strong pedigree from Aston Villa’s academy. Technically gifted, slight in stature but sharp in thought, he was regarded as a promising midfield playmaker. But promise does not always translate instantly, particularly in the physical demands of English football.

However, the environment of the Championship can be the perfect destination to develop. That said, Bannan’s 2011 loan at Leeds came during an unsettled period for the club in what was his third loan away from Villa Park already. Simon Grayson brought in the midfielder but he was seldom utilised.

He made only a handful of appearances and struggled to establish himself in a competitive Championship midfield. The technical ability was evident, but he was unable to leave a lasting impression outside of a couple of assists and some exceptional moments of displaying his passing range.

A similar pattern had come from his first loan stint in English football with Derby in 2009. Opportunities were limited and his role never fully developed. He remained a promising but lightweight midfielder still searching for the right tactical fit, albeit with a goal for his efforts, which was his first in English football.

It actually was scored on his Rams debut, perhaps fittingly, in a 4-2 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Beyond that, there was little to suggest he would go on to become one of the Championship’s most consistent performers. Leeds would have thought the same, too.

Barry Bannan's Sheffield Wednesday legacy

Everything changed after his 2015 move to Sheffield Wednesday. Given responsibility and a defined role, Bannan flourished. His range of passing, composure under pressure, and ability to set standards made him the focal point of the side under various managers, helping Wednesday reach back-to-back play-off finishes as well.

Even through relegation to League One, Bannan remained pivotal. As captain, he was a culture-setter and talisman, and was central to the club’s 2022/23 promotion campaign. Then, well into his 30s, he was still the player everything flowed through. That was until a premature exit to Millwall in the January transfer window.

For Derby and Leeds, Bannan was once a short-term loanee who made minimal impact. At Sheffield Wednesday, he became indispensable, as well as a reminder that development is rarely linear.

Sometimes a player simply needs the right stage to show his full value. Wednesday fans will miss that, with the 36-year-old heading one way with Millwall whilst his beloved Wednesday drop into League One.