Barry Bannan comments on Josh Windass’s touching message to Wrexham AFC

Barry Bannan has responded with support after Josh Windass shared an emotional message following Wrexham AFC’s heartbreaking failure to secure a Championship play-off place.

The Red Dragons saw their hopes of extending their remarkable rise through the English football pyramid come to an end on the final day of the season. A dramatic 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough FC ultimately proved insufficient, as results elsewhere conspired against them. At the same time, Hull City AFC claimed a crucial 2-1 victory over Norwich City FC, a result that pushed Wrexham out of the top six and down to seventh place in the final standings.

The match itself was a tense and emotional affair. Middlesbrough initially took the lead through a goal from Tommy Conway, putting immediate pressure on Wrexham. However, the Welsh side responded strongly, with Windass finding the net before Sam Smith added another to give them a 2-1 advantage. At that point, it appeared as though Wrexham might do enough to secure a play-off spot.

Those hopes were dashed just before half-time when David Strelec scored for Middlesbrough, restoring parity at 2-2. With no further goals in the second half, Wrexham were left with a single point—one that ultimately proved insufficient to keep them in the play-off positions.

Bannan offers support after Windass’ emotional reaction

Following the final whistle and confirmation of their seventh-place finish, Windass took to social media to express his disappointment. The experienced forward, who has been one of Wrexham’s standout performers this season, did not hide the extent of his emotions after falling short at the final hurdle.

His message reflected the pain of missing out, as he described it as the worst he had ever felt in football and admitted that the setback would linger for some time. At the same time, he paid tribute to his teammates, describing them as an incredible group and hinting at a determination to come back stronger in the future.

Among those to respond was Barry Bannan, a former teammate of Windass during their time at Sheffield Wednesday FC. The two players shared the pitch as recently as last season before their respective moves. Windass departed Hillsborough in the summer transfer window, choosing to join Wrexham amid ongoing issues at the club under owner Dejphon Chansiri, particularly surrounding delayed wage payments.

Bannan, meanwhile, remained at Sheffield Wednesday until the winter transfer window, when he made the switch to Millwall FC. From there, he has played a key role in Millwall’s push for promotion.

Reacting to Windass’ post, Bannan offered words of encouragement, praising his former teammate’s season and urging him to keep his head up. His response highlighted the strong bond between the two players and served as a reminder of the camaraderie that often exists beyond club rivalries.

Windass’ impact at Wrexham

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs, Windass has enjoyed an impressive individual campaign. The 32-year-old forward has been a central figure in Wrexham’s attacking setup, contributing 16 goals and five assists across 41 Championship appearances.

His performances have played a major role in keeping Wrexham competitive throughout the season, particularly given the challenges that come with adjusting to life in the second tier after their rapid rise through the divisions.

However, even his contributions were not enough to secure a top-six finish. The narrow margin by which Wrexham missed out only adds to the sense of frustration, especially considering how close they came to extending their extraordinary run of promotions.

Millwall’s contrasting fortunes

While Windass and Wrexham were left to reflect on what might have been, Bannan experienced a more positive end to the season with Millwall. The midfielder played an influential role in their 2-0 victory over Oxford United FC, controlling the tempo of the game and delivering a series of dangerous set-pieces.

Despite that win, Millwall narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, finishing just one point behind Ipswich Town FC, who secured second place. As a result, Millwall must now navigate the play-offs in their bid to reach the Premier League.

Their campaign continues with a semi-final clash against Hull City, with the first leg set to take place away from home. Carrying momentum from their final-day victory, Millwall will be aiming to build on their strong form and secure promotion through the play-offs.

Wrexham’s season in perspective

Wrexham’s journey over the past few years has been one of the most compelling stories in English football. Backed by the ambition of owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the club has achieved consecutive promotions, rising from the National League to the Championship in a remarkably short period.

Given that rapid ascent, expectations have grown significantly. The prospect of reaching the Premier League at the first attempt in the Championship was an ambitious goal, but one that reflected the club’s upward trajectory and the confidence surrounding the project.

Ultimately, however, the step up to the top flight remains a significant challenge. The Premier League is widely regarded as one of the most demanding competitions in world football, and newly promoted sides often struggle to adapt to its intensity and quality.

A setback that could prove beneficial

Although missing out on the play-offs is undoubtedly a bitter disappointment, it may offer Wrexham an opportunity to regroup and strengthen. As Windass’ message made clear, the players are feeling the emotional weight of the setback, but there is also a sense that this experience could serve as motivation for the future.

Spending additional time in the Championship could allow the club to further develop its squad, improve its depth, and address any weaknesses before making another push for promotion. Building a stronger foundation may ultimately increase their chances of not only reaching the Premier League but also competing effectively once they get there.

In that sense, what feels like a painful missed opportunity now could eventually be viewed as a valuable learning experience. Wrexham have already demonstrated their ability to progress rapidly, and there is little doubt that they will be determined to bounce back.

For now, though, the focus remains on processing the disappointment of a season that came so close to delivering yet another milestone. With players like Josh Windass leading the way and support from figures such as Barry Bannan, there is every reason to believe that Wrexham’s story is far from over.