Sheffield United, fondly known as the Blades, are a historic football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Established in 1889, the club has a rich history marked by significant achievements, passionate support, and a resilient spirit that has seen them navigate the highs and lows of English football.
Sheffield United quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the early years of English football. The club’s first major triumph came in 1898 when they won the First Division title, showcasing their prowess on the national stage. The Blades added to their trophy cabinet with FA Cup victories in 1899, 1902, 1915, and 1925, cementing their status as one of the leading clubs in the country during the early 20th century.
The modern era of the Blades
However, the Blades have not had it all their own way in the modern era. After the relegation in the 2006/07 Premier League campaign, the football club found itself flirting with a return to the top-flight only for their hopes to be derailed by the dreaded play-offs. Eventually, they lost their way and suffered relegation to League One in the 2010/11 season.
For most of the 11/12 campaign it looked a sure bet that United would bounce back up to the second tier via automatic promotion. Subsequently, they would get pipped to 2nd place by their bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday – the Blades had to settle for the play-offs where they were beaten on penalties in the final by Huddersfield despite them missing their first three spot kicks.
After two more miserable play-off campaigns, in the 15/16 term United decided to bring in well-established and highly successful EFL manager Nigel Adkins. Unfortunately, he could not repeat the magic he conjured up with Scunthorpe United and Southampton. Instead, he led the Blades to their lowest finish in decades – an 11th place finish in League One.
Chris Wilder rejuvenated Sheffield United once before, can he do it for a second time?
The entire football club needed lifting up and inspiring. This is where Chris Wilder came along – the boyhood Blade had a colossal rebuilding job in his hand, but he didn’t shy away from it. In his first campaign, Wilder would lead United to 100 points as they lifted the League One title. There was something special brewing at Bramall Lane.
In United’s first season back in the Championship after six seasons in the third tier, they would finish comfortably in mid-table before gaining automatic promotion to the Premier League in the following campaign. Wilder would then lead the Blades to a historic 9th place finish in the Premier League, but unfortunately their joy was short lived.
United gambled on some big money signings in the summer of 2020, but none of them had the impact they hoped they would have – the Blades suffered relegation in the 2020/21 season, and Chris Wilder’s time at the club had come to an end.
It took the club two seasons before they played top-flight football again, after securing 2nd place in the 2022/23 campaign.
Last season was a real horror show for Sheffield United: it was like they entered an online casino and thought they had a genuine chance at the jackpot (Premier League survival) with just a pound in their pocket. The Blades accumulated a total of 16 points in the 23/24 campaign which saw them finish bottom of the table.
With Wilder back at the helm, he once again faces a major rebuilding job at his beloved football club as they look to try and bounce back to the Premier League. As a consolation, at least they have parachute payments to aid them in their bid to gain promotion from the Championship in this upcoming campaign.
