As Sheffield United gear up for yet another crack at promotion through the play-offs, this time against Bristol City following a third-place finish in the 2024/25 Championship season, attention turns to their historical record in the first leg of play-off semi-finals.
The Blades have endured a long and often painful relationship with the play-offs, this is their ninth attempt to go up via this route for the first-ever time, and the first legs have frequently set the tone for what followed.
How Sheffield United Have Fared in First-Legs of Promotion Play-offs
Here’s a look back at Sheffield United’s first-leg performances in play-off semi-finals over the years:
1996/97 – Division One Semi-final
Sheffield United 1-1 Ipswich Town
The Blades opened with a draw at Bramall Lane. They also drew the return leg 2-2 at Portman Road after extra time, and due to the away goals rule, they went through to the final, and ultimately lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace.
1997/98 – Division One Semi-final
Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland
A strong first-leg win at home gave hope, but United were overwhelmed 2-0 in the second leg at the Stadium of Light and exited 3-2 on aggregate.
2002/03 – First Division Semi-final
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Sheffield United
A credible away draw laid the foundations for a memorable second-leg comeback. United won 4-3 after extra time at Bramall Lane and advanced to the final, where they got obliterated 3-0 by Wolves.
2008/09 – Championship Semi-final
Preston North End 1-1 Sheffield United
Another away draw gave the Blades a strong platform, and they capitalised by winning 1-0 in the second leg. Their promotion hopes were ultimately dashed by Burnley at Wembley.
2011/12 – League One Semi-final
Stevenage 0-0 Sheffield United
A goalless away draw left things even heading to Bramall Lane, and United would win the second leg 1-0. They eventually lost the final to Huddersfield Town on penalties after goalkeeper Steve Simonsen smashed his penalty miles over the bar in front of the Huddersfield fans.
2012/13 – League One Semi-final
Sheffield United 1-0 Yeovil Town
A narrow home win in S2 put the Blades in control, but they collapsed in the second leg with a 2-0 defeat at Huish Park as Ed Upson broke United’s hearts with five minutes to spare.
2014/15 – League One Semi-final
Sheffield United 1-2 Swindon Town
A damaging home defeat in the first leg left them with a mountain to climb. Despite a dramatic 5-5 second-leg draw after Nigel Clough’s men trailed 5-1 on aggregate inside 19 minutes at the County Ground, the Blades were eliminated 7-6 on aggregate.
2021/22 – Championship Semi-final
Sheffield United 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Trailing after a disappointing first leg at Bramall Lane, United put up a spirited fight at the City Ground under Paul Heckingbottom, winning the second leg 2-1 to level the tie before losing on penalties after an inspired goalkeeping performance from Brice Samba.
Overall First-Leg Record
Played: 8
Won: 2
Drawn: 4
Lost: 2
Goals For: 8
Goals Against: 8
As the Blades travel to Ashton Gate on Thursday evening, they will be eager to create history having never won an away first leg in the promotion play-offs and bring back a lead to Bramall Lane for next Monday night.
