Sheffield United

Sheffield United FC is a professional football club that was formed on the 22nd March 1889 by the President of Sheffield United Cricket Club, Sir Charles Clegg who was also the President of Sheffield Wednesday. He was known as 'The Napoleon of Football'.

The meeting was held at the Adelphi Hotel, which is where the Crucible Theatre stands today. Wednesday had originally played at Bramall Lane but had moved to their new home at Olive Grove. A new club was needed to generate income throughout the winter.

The team started with a season of friendly matches before becoming members of the Midland Counties League in 1890-91. After spending the 1891-92 season in the Northern League, United became founder members of the Football League Division Two in 1892.

Promotion was won to the top flight in their debut season after success in a ‘Test Match’ against Accrington, to begin a spell of thirty seven consecutive seasons in division one. J.B. Wostinholm oversaw the team in his role of secretary/manager.

These were the glory days in the club's history. United finished as league runners-up in 1896-97 before being crowned as champions of England in 1897-98. The 1898-99 campaign saw the club lift the FA Cup following a 4-1 win against Derby County at Crystal Palace with Walter Bennett, Billy Beer, Jack Almond and Fred Priest scoring the goals.

The literal big name of the time was gargantuan goalkeeper William “Fatty” Foulke who stood 6ft 9” tall and weighed over 20 stone. Following the cup triumph John Nicholson took over Wostinholm’s position.

United were league runners-up in 1899-00 before ending as losing finalists in the 1900-01 FA Cup when the team were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in a replay at Burnden Park after a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace in front of a then world record crowd of 110,820. Just 20,470 attended the rematch.

Undaunted, the team returned to the final, again held at Crystal Palace, to see United play out another replay, this time 1-1 against Southampton. ‘The Blades’ won the replay 2-1 with goals from George Hedley and Billy Barnes as the club lifted the FA Cup for a second time. 

After going out in the semi-finals to Burnley in 1913-14, United returned to the FA Cup final in 1914-15 where Chelsea were defeated 3-0 at Old Trafford, with the goals coming from Jimmy Simmons, Stan Fazackerley and Joe Kitchen.

Another unsuccessful semi-final appearance against Bolton Wanderers in 1922-23 deprived United appearing in the first Wembley final, before they collected a fourth FA Cup triumph in 1924-25 when a Fred Tunstall goal was enough to defeat Cardiff City 1-0.

Teddy Davison was the first man to take on the sole manager’s job, but he couldn’t prevent his side being relegated in 1933-34. United lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the 1934-35 FA Cup final before winning promotion as Division Two runners-up in 1938-39.

The team was relegated in 1948-49 prior to Reg Freeman being appointed as manager to lead United to the Division Two title in his debut 1952-53 season in charge. Joe Mercer was at the helm when the Blades dropped back down in 1955-56 before John Harris arrived in the position in April 1959.

Local youngsters in the shape of Joe Shaw, Alan Hodgkinson and Graham Shaw progressed and made their mark. 1960-61 saw United promoted as Division Two runners-up, while the team went out in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in a replay against Leicester City. Derek Pace and then Mick Jones regularly put away the goals throughout the next few years.

Harris was replaced by Arthur Rowley after United were relegated in 1967-68 before returning after a year away to lead the Blades to promotion in 1970-71 with a line-up including Tony Currie, Alan Woodward, Billy Dearden, Len Badger and Trevor Hockey.

In the early 1970's the decision was taken to end cricket at Bramall Lane. Up until that point fans had to do with temporary stands at best on the fourth side of the ground. It was Yorkshire CC's original home ground and had staged Test cricket in the past as well as seeing many memorable days.

In 1968 a Fred Trueman led Yorkshire side defeated the touring Australians by an innings on the ground. The final game ended on the 7th August 1973 as Yorkshire took on Lancashire. In 1975 a new South Stand was built where the former square once stood.

It was said that removing the original proprietors of the club would bring bad luck to the club. In 1975-76 United were relegated under Jimmy Sirrell after Ken Furphy’s three year managerial reign, saddled with debt from the building of the stand and being forced to sell star man Tony Currie to try and balance the books.

The slump continued despite cult hero Alex Sabella arriving from Argentina, with local youngsters leaving. It continued to relegation to the third tier in 1978-79 by which time Harry Haslam was installed as manager.

Haslam's health suffered despite a bright start on the pitch. World Cup winner Martin Peters was appointed in his place in January 1981, but the side went into freefall culminating in relegation to the fourth division a few months later.

Ian Porterfield came in as boss from Rotherham United and began the revival helped by the goals of former Blade Keith Edwards on his return to the club. The Division Four title was lifted in 1981-82 which was followed up by promotion to Division Two in 1983-84 by the narrowest of margins.

 

Billy McEwan took over as manager in March 1986, lasting until January 1988 when he was replaced by Dave Beasant who took on a lost cause as the team was relegated back to the third tier after play-off defeat to Bristol City. 'Harry' as he was known set about sorting out the team, who played in a similar style to his former club Wimbledon.

Brian Deane, Tony Agana and John Francis put fear into opposing defences backed up by the likes of Paul Stancliffe, Bob Booker and Ian Bryson as promotion was sealed in 1988-89. The success continued in 1989-90 as United went up for a second successive season, with former Wednesday hero Derek Dooley as chairman.

The side settled in the top tier after looking certainties for relegation on their return, finishing ninth in 1991-92 with cut price additions bolstering options. In 1992-93 United reached the semi-final of the FA Cup, going out to bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley.

Deane was the first ever scorer in the Premier League earlier that same season, notching after just five minutes in the opening day defeat of Manchester United. The striker was sold to Leeds United as the Blades slid to relegation in 1993-94.

Joe Shaw

Bassett resigned in December 2015 to be replaced by Howard Kendall. He led the side to the play-offs in 1996-97 where Ipswich Town were defeated before United lost 2-1 in the final to Crystal Palace. Nigel Spackman took over as manager shortly after.

He led his charges to the FA Cup semi-final in 1997-98, losing to Newcastle United as well as reaching the play-offs, where Sunderland were the victors in the semi-final clash. Steve Bruce was manager for the 1998-99 campaign, prior to a short spell under Adrian Heath before lifetime Blades’ fan Neil Warnock took on the role in December 1999.

The 2002-03 season saw United go out in the semi-final stage of the FA Cup to Arsenal and in the League Cup to Liverpool. There was further heartache in the play-offs after victory over Nottingham Forest was undone in the final with a 3-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

United were promoted as runners-up in 2005-06 as players such as Paddy Kenny, Chris Morgan, Phil Jagielka, Nick Montgomery and Leigh Bromby starred. However, the Blades went back down in 2006-07, in very controversial circumstances.

Derek Dooley

After being relegated, Sheffield United mounted a legal challenge against their demotion on the basis that West Ham United should have been docked points over irregularities with the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. The bid failed although the club later received financial compensation from West Ham.

Around this period owner and chairman of The Blades, Kevin McCabe formed links when he purchased Ferencváros in Hungary and Chengdu Blades (formerly Chengdu Wuniu) in China for the development of players and coaching as well as commercial activity.

Warnock left after eight years at the helm with Bryan Robson replacing him until Kevin Blackwell was given the job in February 2008, leading the side to the play-offs in 2008-09 which ended in final defeat to Burnley after an earlier win against Preston North End.

Gary Speed was United boss from August to December 2010 before Mickey Adams was put in charge until the end of the season. Danny Wilson became manager from May 2011, lasting nearly two seasons at the helm. However, the board decided on a change at an unusual time of the 2012-13 campaign with the play offs looming.

 

Former player Chris Morgan was given a chance to stake his claim in an acting capacity, but after Yeovil Town dumped The Blades out at the semi-final stage. Morgan made way for David Weir to be appointed in his first managerial role. Weir's spell was short as he departed in October after the team won only one game out of thirteen.

In September 2013 H.R.H. Prince Abdullah bin Mosa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Sa'ud of the royal House of Saud bought 50% of the club alongside Kevin McCabe. Nigel Clough was the next incumbent of the manager's seat, as he built a fast enthusiastic side who finished just outside the play-offs. 

The team went on a terrific FA Cup run all the way to the semi-final where they were defeated 5-3 by Hull City at Wembley. United reached the League Cup semi-final in 2014-15 before narrowly going out over two legs to Tottenham Hotspur.

United finished in fifth place but went out in the play-offs to Swindon Town, despite an amazing effort in a 5-5 draw at the County Ground. Clough was dismissed in May 2015 to be replaced by Nigel Adkins who lasted a season before the installation of former player Chris Wilder, who led the team to promotion in 2016-17 as League One champions.

 

Wilder built a fast flowing energetic team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2018-19 with Dean Henderson, Billy Sharp, John Fleck, Enda Stevens, Chris Basham, John Egan, Oliver Norwood and David McGoldrick among the prominent players.

United received plaudits from many observers on their return to the Premier League, ending in ninth place. In September 2019 McCabe was forced by High Court to complete an earlier arrangement to sell his shares to the new sole owner Prince Abdullah.

Wilder fell out with the owners during the 2020-21 campaign in which he was replaced by interim boss Paul Heckinbottom as the team struggled at the foot of the table before being relegated and appointing new manager Slaviša Jokanović.

The Serbian lasted until November 2021 when Heckinbottom was given the job fulltime. He led the side to the playoffs in 2021-22 where the Blades lost to Nottingham Forest in the semifinals.

The following season saw failed bid by Nigerian businessman Dozy Mmobuosi to buy the club. United won promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2022-23 campaign as well reaching the semifinals of the FA Cup where they were knocked out by Manchester City.

The club sold arguably their best players, Sander Berge, and Iliman Ndiaye, leaving the side already up against a relegation fight desperate for quality. Heckinbottom was sacked in December 2023 to be replaced by former boss Chris Wilder. The team was relegated at the end of the season.

Sheffield United FC will appear in the EFL Championship in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Sheffield United 2 Hull City 2 (Saturday 17th March 1984) Division Three (att: 15,374)

I had just about finished with college in Borehamwood and was back in Scarborough. City were having a good season and my brother Nick was going to games with me by then. This was a crunch match as The Blades were also looking like filling a promotion spot.

We travelled through on the train arriving early. It was before my days of having a beer before games, not that it would have been a very good idea anyway. It was at the peak of the trouble on the way to games so we walked down to Bramall Lane as soon we arrived.

We were the first in the away end so it gave us plenty of chance to have a look and read the programme!

We were downstairs on the terracing at the Bramall Lane End. A seated tier was above us. To our left was the John Street Stand. This was the Main Stand for many years while cricket was still played at the ground. It had a large terrace at the front with seats at the rear. 

The far end was the large Kop roofed terrace and the fourth side was occupied by the South Stand, which was a single tiered bank of seating. All the stands had plenty of room between them and the pitch, which was the aftermath of its former use for cricket.

The match itself was a cracker with both teams going all out for a vital win in front of a large and volatile crowd. Keith Edwards, who had two spells at both clubs got a Blades goal with Kevin Arnott adding United's other with Brian Marwood and Steve McClaren scoring either side of them for the Tigers.  

I was delighted with the point, but even happier getting back to the station unscathed for the journey home.

Sheffield United 3 Hull City 1 (Saturday 2nd November 1985) Division Two (att: 13,272)

I travelled with Nick and my Dad along with many mates on the supporters coach from Scarborough and picked up in Filey and Bridlington. There was a heavy police presence as we were escorted from the M1 into the coach parking place.

We were kept together until several coaches arrived and then marched through the streets to the Bramall Lane End. I decided with some of the lads to sit upstairs, thinking lots of City fans were following suit.

Unfortunately there weren't too many up there and the area was shared with home fans. It was a magnificent view that gave the impression that we were about to fall out of the stand, such was the steepness. It was fairly hostile at the same time.

The Blades had acquired a nickname of 'Dad's Army' with their signings of Peter Withe, Ray Lewington and Phil Thompson in an attempted push for promotion. Another veteran Colin Morris set up City's former star and public enemy number one, Keith Edwards. 

Morris was brilliant and manager Porterfield was roundly booed when he took him off to give new signing Steve Wigley a run out. The Blades ran out well deserved winners, with Peter Skipper scoring for City. I went to a party in the evening to drown my sorrows!

Wednesday 20th July 2011

I was in Sheffield after an evening watching Goole v Scarborough Athletic. I had already visited Millmoor, The Don Valley Stadium and Hillsborough before taking a bus back into the city centre.

I tried to work out a way to fit in another ground as well as Bramall Lane before I headed back to Doncaster to connect with my train to London, but there didn't seem a way, so I headed off down Shoreham Street towards the stadium.

I walked through the car park where the old cricket pavilion and outfield once stood to the back of the South Stand and past the fine statues of club legends Derek Dooley and Joe Shaw. There didn't seem to be a way inside for a look. 

A gate gave a view in the corner of the ground and I tried to get someone inside to let me inside for a quick look, but he apologised that he couldn't. I had just about given up when two more men went through the gate. I asked if there was any chance of me going in?

Again I was refused and then called back. One of them said I was fine as long as I stuck with him in the corner. He was a true football fan and a club employee in charge of the "Legends of the Lane" museum and tours by the name of John Garrett. 

Bramall Lane had really changed since my last visit. The Kop at the Shoreham Street End had been re-aligned and seated. The John Street Stand was a new single tiered structure with boxes at the rear. Credit to the club as they had a gable of the centre of it, to give it a bit more character. The Bramall Lane End Stand was seated downstairs as well as up and an upper corner section enclosed the ground going round to the South Stand.

He was very helpful and we had a good chat about the connection between our two clubs and how sorry he was for us that the old club went bust. He gave me plenty of info on Bramall Lane as well as a good pub tip for chat about Yorkshire sport near to my London home, before he then invited me briefly into the museum.

A tour was going round at the time, and I looked up to see myself stood next to a true legend, Tony Currie. The museum looked extremely interesting with some quality artifacts. We went back outside and I was so pleased to see the old cricket pavilion clock above the museum in full working order and in pristine condition. I shook hands and went on my way.

As I walked back to the station I reflected on how nice it was to have good people involved in the game. I've never been the biggest fan of Sheffield United, but I'll certainly wish them better luck in the future and will continue as a member of the club's Superdraw which runs with Scarborough Athletic fans in the weekly draw.

I gave up on being greedy and trying to fit another ground in, and instead plumped for a quality hour in the Sheffield Tap pub on platform one of the railway station. I had a lovely time in and around South Yorkshire, and my final selection was the icing on the cake. I recommend a visit heartily. 

The pictures of the old Bramall Lane have been taken from the internet.