Former Sheffield Wednesday forward Bailey Cadamarteri has found himself at the centre of controversy after remarks made following his move to Wrexham, comments which many Owls supporters feel have damaged his relationship with the club’s fanbase.
The 20-year-old striker completed his departure from Hillsborough on deadline day, bringing an end to an 11-year association with the club he had been part of since childhood. Cadamarteri, a Jamaica international, joined Wrexham in a deal reportedly worth around £1 million, with additional add-ons included. He has signed a long-term contract running until 2029, underlining the Welsh club’s belief in his potential.
At Wrexham, Cadamarteri has been reunited with former Sheffield Wednesday teammate Josh Windass, as manager Phil Parkinson continues to strengthen his squad in pursuit ofcda.
However, it was Cadamarteri’s first in-house interview with his new club that sparked anger among sections of the Wednesday fanbase. Speaking after the move, he said:
> “I couldn’t be happier. The club is on a really good journey and I’m excited to be part of it.
Phil [Parkinson] is a great manager; he’s really experienced and been in the game a long time – I’m looking forward to showing him what I can do.”
While seemingly harmless, many Owls fans interpreted the statement as a suggestion that the striker had been unhappy at Sheffield Wednesday, a club that nurtured his development and handed him his professional breakthrough. Social media reaction was swift, with supporters accusing the player of being disrespectful and ungrateful, despite his long service at the club.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, meanwhile, was full of praise for his new signing, stating:
> “We’re delighted to welcome Bailey to the club. He’s played a lot of Championship football this season and we look forward to him joining up with the squad.”
In an attempt to ease tensions, Cadamarteri later issued an emotional farewell message to Wednesday fans via Instagram, expressing gratitude for his time at Hillsborough:
> *“After 11 unforgettable years my time at Sheffield Wednesday has come to an end. I’m proud to have been able to call this my home, and grateful to everyone involved with the club for all the support they’ve given me in kickstarting my career.
To the fans, I know this season has been tough for everyone but I can’t thank you all enough for the support you’ve shown me during my time at my club. Sheffield Wednesday will always hold a strong place in my heart, and I wish everyone at the club all the best. It is time for me to take on a new challenge.”*
Despite the heartfelt message, opinions among supporters remain divided. Some fans have accepted his explanation and wished him well, while others feel the damage has already been done following his initial comments after the move.
From a footballing perspective, the loss of Cadamarteri has been partially softened for Sheffield Wednesday by late additions to the squad. Marvelous Nakamba has arrived on a free transfer from Luton Town, bringing valuable experience, while Joel Ndala has joined on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.
As Cadamarteri begins a new chapter at Wrexham, the episode serves as a reminder of how quickly player-fan relationships can sour in modern football, particularly when emotions are already running high during a challenging season.
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