Club captain Barry Bannan reacts to Sheffield Wednesday going into administration with a special message to the fans.
Sheffield Wednesday filed a notice to go into administration with a deduction of 12 points put in placd for doing so.
Manager Henrik Pedersen reacts to Sheffield Wednesday’s points deduction, viewing it as a necessary “fresh restart” to escape unsustainable conditions and build a positive future.
Bannan later added he was sad about the situation, but hopeful it signals a new era with potential new owners who respect the club’s tradition.
He understood and supported the fans’ protests and has urged them to rally behind the team now more than ever, especially at Hillsborough, after a tough match with boycotts and protests, with the players just wanting to play in the meantime while chaos ensued behind the scenes.
Bannan admitted being “gutted” but believes “this needed to happen” to stop the decline.
A message from the skipper 💙 pic.twitter.com/PlRK37xMd2
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) October 24, 2025
Barry Bannan said in a special message: “Just a message of we totally got what they were doing. We were never against it as players and staff. We just wanted to play games. I said that when the fans came on here a week onto the pitch. That was the only bit of joy that we were getting as a group of players and staff was playing on Saturday at 3 o’clock. So we got what they were doing.
“But now we need them more than ever. We’ve needed them all season at home and unfortunately we’ve not really had that atmosphere. But now the fans have got what they wanted.
“This is where we really need them to come and get behind us and be that extra man because it was a hard game the other night to play in with no crowd and that’s not the way Hillsborough should be.
“So hopefully we see the flip side of that tomorrow and they come out in their numbers and push us on which is going to be a big, game and hopefully we can get a big result for him. I’ve been gutted really.
“Obviously, when you sign for this club, you find straight away that it’s a massive club in the city, a really well-supported club.
“And I think the last few months when we’ve been playing games at home, it’s not felt like that club. It’s been a different club.
“Away from home, unbelievable, it’s been amazing. Probably as better as it’s ever been and we appreciate that.
“I’ve been trying my hardest nut to be down, but it’s been hard because I know this club deserves way better and deserves to be in the best league in the world.
“That’s what this club deserves and to be honest, we are a million miles away from that at the minute.
“As I said, I was gutted this morning, but hopefully it’s that sometimes you have to reach rock bottom to come back again.
“And if there’s ever a club that can do it, then it’s this club because the fan base we’ve got is amazing.”
🗣️ “This needed to happen. We couldn’t keep going on the way we were going on.”
Club captain Barry Bannan reacts to Sheffield Wednesday going into administration #SWFC
Full interview 👉 https://t.co/osEkO14S5J pic.twitter.com/d8hkRlHXpn
— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) October 24, 2025
Henrik Pedersen reacts to Sheffield Wednesday’s points deduction after entering administration
Talking to the media: “It was hard news to take, but this needed to happen. We couldn’t keep going on the way we were going on.
“Now the task becomes bigger. But I think for the club going forward, it’s probably the right thing that’s happened.”
Interviewer: “This club obviously means a lot to you Barry. What have been your thoughts and emotions over the last few weeks as this situation has played out?”
Barry: “I’ve been gutted really. Obviously, when you sign for this club, you find straight away that it’s a massive club in the city, a really well-supported club.
“I think the last few months when we’ve been playing games at home, it’s not felt like that club.
“It’s been a different club. Away from home, unbelievable. It’s been amazing. Probably as better as it’s ever been and we appreciate that.
“I’ve been trying my hard to be down but it’s been hard em because I know this club deserves way better and deserves to be in the best league in the world.
“That’s what this club deserves and to be honest we are a million miles away from that at the minute. As I said I was gutted this morning but hopefully it’s the… sometimes you have to reach rock bottom to come back again and if there’s ever a club that can do it then it’s this club because the fan base we’ve got is amazing.”
Statement from the players: “To all fans of our club, we the players want to say directly to you, our supporters, how much we appreciate the lengths you have gone to, to protect this great club that we all love so much.
“Whilst we fully understand your stance and the measures you took to force change, as a group, not having you in the ground has been felt by all of us.
“After what has been a period of division and a feeling of ‘disconnect’ between the club, the players and the fans, we now hope this is the time we can all come back together under the badge and enjoy our football again!
“So we ask you, starting tomorrow against oxford, please come back to Hillsborough and cheer the team on.
“Let’s make the ground a place for teams to fear as we do everything we can to get the points we are going to so desperately need.
“Think back to the comeback against Peterborough, wins against Arsenal and Newcastle. That was you in the stands as much as us on the pitch!
“We won’t give up, and we ask you not to give up on us. Together we are stronger. Together we can fight. – The players”
Interviewer: “Do you still believe this club could have a bright future?”
Barry: “I do, yeah. Obviously it’s a big decision now who comes in and who buys it. But there’s a lot of good people here who have worked here for years. In the background, go unnoticed. Whatever a club needs, We’ve got that in abundance here. Fanbase is amazing. It just needs a bit of loving and TLC and I think it can start to show what a big club it is.”
Interviewer: “There’s going to be a lot of interest in this football club. If a prospective owner was listening to you speaking now Barry as a figurehead, as the club captain, why should they be interested in buying Sheffield Wednesday?
Barry: “We’ve spoken about it loads of times. The city is an amazing city for rivalry. The two teams in the city are very passionate, hardworking city and they love their football teams and they’ll go above and beyond to support the football teams.
“And you only need to look at the coverage we’ve been getting recently from radio stations, people who have played the game, people who have run football clubs always speak about Sheffield Wednesday as a club to buy, it’s a sleeping giant.
“So I think, as you said, there’ll be a lot of interest, but it needs to be the right interest and for the right reasons.
“Because as I said, the comp needs to be shown a bit of now and it can really, really go and challenge in the best league in the world.”
EFL issue statement as Sheffield Wednesday go into administration with points deduction
Here’s what Twitter users have to say after Barry Bannan reacts to Sheffield Wednesday going into administration with a message to fans…
@1867FTBL: the first thing these new owners need to do is build this man a fucking statue!
@BoylingLee: Cudda gone so many times and most would. Our king didn’t leave his castle whilst under attack from within. Love him UTO
@Rafiki4: It was hard for us ST holders not to be there on Wednesday, but I’m hoping people will buy tickets and fill the ground and get it rocking tomorrow, it’s gunna be emotional 🦉💙
@anthony93476898: Definitely be a massive buzz tomoz let’s pack the rafters in a huge celebration no more effin chansiri planted on the seats
@PhilT68913955: Fair play you don’t see loyalty and leadership like his much in the modern game . From a Cov fan.
@themouldandy: “Bannan” will replace the “Chansiri” letters in the North Stand
@MyMateMarmite67: The Barry Bannan Stand
@nelsonjd76: Skipper, we will be there for you all tomorrow
@corey_uto: Pedersons number 2 in league 1 as a player/ coach
@DebatesSwfc: These boys who have given everything so far can finally have the backing they deserve tomorrow. If you’ve not been for a while, get a ticket if you can and let’s show everyone the contrast to the Boro game
@CarlosShires: Get the man a statue 100% , Love him 💙 Our Skipper 🦉
@johnsonbfc23: Good luck. From a fan who had been through a very similar situation, as have many. Let’s hope for a quick resolve, decent owners and a packed stadium #swfc #utmp
@mooseswfc: Sexiest man on the planet
@Kagsie66: What a brilliant captain and spokesperson you have there! I hope you fill the ground tomorrow and can get that great Club back where it should be! It could happen to any one of us! Good Luck! #SWFC #SAFC
@netty0779: When you didn’t think you can love someone any more than you do already…
— Jake (@Jake1867_) October 24, 2025
