(Credit: Imago)
Thu 17 July 2025 20:45, UK
Sheffield Wednesday have announced the mutual termination of the contracts of Josh Windass and Michael Smith and it’s safe to say supporters are not happy.
Windass and Smith registered 18 and 12 direct goal involvements, respectively, in the Championship last season, making them the only Wednesday players to hit double figures in that regard.
But now, both players have left the club as free agents, having tendered notice periods in the wake of Wednesday repeatedly failing to pay their wages on time.
According to The Star, four more players have handed in their notice, with yet more taking legal advice on their situation.
What’s more, there are fears the North Stand at Hillsborough could be closed next season due to safety concerns.
The Owls can confirm that the current contracts of Michael Smith and Josh Windass have been terminated by mutual consent.
Sheffield Wednesday thank Michael and Josh for their services and wish them well for the future.#swfc
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) July 17, 2025
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Sheffield Wednesday fans lash out at after Windass, Smith announcement
Wednesday officially announced the departures of Windass and Smith on Thursday (17 July) in what could be just the start of an uncertain and worrying time for the club’s fanbase.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, those supporters levelled massive criticism toward owner Dejphon Chansiri on social media.
We’re done. Thanks Mr Chansiri.
— Dan (@DJisatwit) July 17, 2025
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Admin you need to start speaking out. He isn’t here what can he do. Gather the staff together and prepare a statement and release it. There cannot be a single member of staff left at the club that doesn’t despise him. We need to start doing things different #swfc
— Lewis Widdowson (@LMWiddowson) July 17, 2025
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What a joke – selling players well well below their value- probably lost circa £10m on the 2 x exits this week- crazy business strategy & again now allowing players to walk for free when we could have be forced to sell them to try to get some £££ in. Suicidal strategy!!
— Hector (@BullasRobin) July 17, 2025
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Absolute disgrace just throw the towel in this season and play U21s
— Ciaran 🦉 (@CSPswfc) July 17, 2025
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Can you terminate Chansiri’s contract?
— Will Lowley (@LowleyW) July 17, 2025
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I want my season ticket refunded, been going to Hillsborough since the mid 90’s and now feel sick at the thought of going in a few weeks, Dejphon has ruined a huge part of my life and until he’s gone I want to file for divorce from @swfc absolutely done with it. Until then 👋
— Paul (@Paul_1867) July 17, 2025
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This is still not as bad as it’s gonna get.
Cheers lads, thanks for the memories. Uto.— Spiderbones (@ddaardvark) July 17, 2025
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Football is, of course, a brutal business and supporters of major rivals wasted no time in kicking Wednesday fans while they’re down.
Really not looking good for these lot😂😂
— Bradderz (@pafc_brad) July 17, 2025
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Apparently the new owner is called Lee Gwan
— JJ (@jimbobram92) July 17, 2025
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Rangers have a clear run at Josh Windass
Windass spent two years with Rangers between 2016 and 2018, scoring 19 goals in 73 appearances in a productive spell with the Glasgow giants.
The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Ibrox recently, with former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson tipping Windass as an ‘easy pick’ for Rangers.
Josh Windass’ Rangers stats (2016-18)
“It’s an easy pick, isn’t it? With the state of Sheffield Wednesday at the moment,” he told Football Insider (13 July).
“He’s only got one season left on his contract as well.
“He’s a player I like, he’s a grafter, he works extremely hard and you know what you’re going to get from him every single week.
“He scored 13 goals last season and seven before, so I wouldn’t see him as a replacement for the likes of Dessers or Igamane, he would play in a deeper role.
“When you look at the type of players Russell Martin is looking to bring in, Windass is the type of player you can look at in the dressing room and know what you’re getting from him.
“With Sheffield Wednesday in the state they’re in, it could be an easy pick for Rangers.
“It would be a good fit for both parties I think, and for Russell Martin, he can take advantage of what is a poor situation at Sheffield Wednesday.”
With Windass now a free agent, he’s sure to pick up further interest from Championship clubs. However, the pull of Rangers can be powerful, especially for a player who has experienced the Ibrox crowd before.
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