Sheffield Wednesday club captain Barry Bannan has made a show of support for Sheffield Wednesday Ladies.
Barry Bannan wears the number 10 shirt for Sheffield Wednesday, and has made the decision to sponsor Heidi O’Reilly, who wears the same number for Sheffield Wednesday Ladies.
Bannan’s financial backing will support O’Reilly throughout the North East Regional Women’s Football League South Division campaign.
Sheffield Wednesday Ladies manager Kieron Lee has applauded the gesture from Bannan. As quoted by The Star, Lee said of the 33-year-old’s deed, “it’s such a fantastic gesture from Barry to show his support for Wednesday’s women’s team. We have a young first team squad…to have the support from the club’s captain is a real boost for the squad.”
Bannan provides a boost for the club
O’Reilly is one of the youngest members of Lee’s squad. The 17-year-old is hoping to have a big season, having suffered with some significant injuries recently.
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Bannan himself will be hoping for another big campaign with the Owls, having successfully helped the Yorkshire club to return to the Championship via the League One play-offs last time out. However, Xisco Munoz and his squad have endured a tough start to life in the second tier.
Sheffield Wednesday have lost all three of their league fixtures so far, and the mood is low at Hillsborough Stadium. The Owls are in desperate need of a positive result against fellow strugglers Cardiff City this weekend.
A win would boost morale, but Bannan’s act of solidarity with O’Reilly and Sheffield Wednesday Ladies should also lift spirits and be a point of pride for the club.
The women’s game is growing, and is currently in the global spotlight following the World Cup in Australia which captivated a huge audience all around the world.
Sheffield Wednesday Ladies will be hoping to draw bigger crowds than ever before to their matches at the Jubilee Sports & Social Club this season, and will know that they can count on the backing of Bannan.