Jack Grealish Jokes About Joining Sheffield Wednesday After Meeting Fan Who Ran London Marathon

Key facts

• Jack Grealish, on loan at Everton from Manchester City, joked about signing for Sheffield Wednesday next season.
• The comment came during a meeting with Special Olympics GB athletes who recently ran the London marathon.
• One athlete is a Sheffield Wednesday fan, prompting Grealish to discuss his friend Barry Bannan, a club legend.
• Grealish has played against Sheffield Wednesday four times, all for Aston Villa, with a record of one win and three losses.
• In those four games, Grealish has not scored or assisted against the Owls.
• Sheffield Wednesday won the first three meetings 1-0, 2-1, and 2-1; Villa won the last 3-1 at Hillsborough.
• Grealish's response was met with laughter, but he did not explicitly rule out a move.

A Lighthearted Promise to an Owls Fan

Jack Grealish, the England international currently on loan at Everton from Manchester City, has sparked speculation about a potential move to Sheffield Wednesday after a playful exchange with a Special Olympics GB athlete. The athlete, a Sheffield Wednesday supporter, asked Grealish how much it would take to get him to sign for the Championship club. In a video shared by BBC’s Match of the Day, Grealish responded, “We’ll wait and see. See what happens next year, I could be at Sheffield Wednesday.” The comment was met with laughter, but Grealish’s refusal to say no has given Owls fans a glimmer of hope. The athlete had just completed the London marathon, and Grealish was meeting with the Special Olympics GB team as part of his community engagement.

Praise for Barry Bannan, a Close Friend and Owls Legend

During the exchange, Grealish highlighted his friendship with Barry Bannan, the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder and club legend. “One of my, well, good friends actually, played for them for a while, Barry Bannan,” Grealish said. “Yeah, he is a legend there, isn’t he?” Bannan, who joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 and has made over 300 appearances for the club, is widely regarded as one of the team’s most influential players. Grealish’s endorsement of Bannan’s legendary status underscores the deep personal connection between the two players, who have been friends for years.

Grealish’s Mixed Record Against the Owls

Grealish has faced Sheffield Wednesday four times in his career, all while playing for his boyhood club Aston Villa. His record against the Owls is modest: one win, three losses, with no goals or assists. The Owls won the first three encounters 1-0, 2-1, and 2-1, but Villa triumphed 3-1 in the most recent meeting at Hillsborough. Despite the lack of personal success on the pitch against Wednesday, Grealish’s lighthearted comments suggest he holds no grudges. His willingness to entertain the idea of joining the club, even in jest, reflects his affection for the team and its fans.

Context of the Meeting: Special Olympics GB Marathon Runners

The interaction took place after Special Olympics GB athletes completed the London marathon, a grueling 26.2-mile race. Grealish met with the athletes as part of his involvement with the organization, which supports athletes with intellectual disabilities. The video, shared by BBC’s Match of the Day, captured the moment when one athlete, a Sheffield Wednesday supporter, engaged Grealish in banter about a potential transfer. Special Olympics GB provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The marathon run was a significant achievement for the athletes, and Grealish’s visit was a morale boost.

What This Means for Sheffield Wednesday Fans

While Grealish’s comments were clearly made in jest, they have ignited excitement among Sheffield Wednesday supporters. The fact that Grealish did not outright reject the idea of joining the club has fueled speculation, however fanciful. His close friendship with Bannan could theoretically serve as a conduit for any future interest, though no serious discussions are known to have taken place. For now, the episode remains a charming moment of interaction between a top-tier footballer and a dedicated fan. But in the world of football, where transfer rumors often start with a joke, Wednesday fans may cling to the hope that Grealish’s words carry a grain of truth.

The bottom line

• Jack Grealish joked about joining Sheffield Wednesday in a video with a Special Olympics GB athlete.
• Grealish praised his close friend Barry Bannan as a Sheffield Wednesday legend.
• Grealish has a 1-3 win-loss record against the Owls, with no goals or assists.
• The athlete had just run the London marathon, part of Special Olympics GB activities.
• Grealish’s comments were lighthearted but not a definitive denial of a future move.
• The exchange highlights the personal connection between Grealish and Bannan.