Many of these players I’ve never seen in action, but of those I have, I think you’ve positioned them extremely well in your rankings.
Sander Berge. “Probably the best way to summarise Berge’s United career is that every time he does something good we’re left asking “why doesn’t he just do that every time?”” Exactly so.
Jake Wright. “It’s no coincidence that the Blades didn’t lose a single one of the 30 league games Wright played in that campaign.” Just amazing – I wonder how many other footballers can have that said about them?
Gary Speed. I had one of those “can you remember where you were when you heard the news?” moments – I was in hospital after an operation and an anaesthetic. The TV was on in the background when I woke from a doze and saw Gary Speed on the screen. I thought “oh, this must be something about Sheffield United” (typical Blade?!) so I switched up the sound, only to hear the tragic news. Thanks so much for the link to the BBC article – that made very interesting reading, especially about the Swansea v Aston Villa match going ahead. RIP.
Kevin McDonald. “…a brilliant passer, and just pure class on the ball.” One of my all-time favourites – so pleased to see him make the list!
John (the beard) Brayford. Definitely a cult hero!
Paul Peschisolido. One player I really, really wish I’d seen in a Blades’ shirt.
Leon Clarke. Yes, always remembered for that afternoon in the sun at Hull.
Mark Duffy. And Coutts. And Fleck. The magnificent three. And yes, that Hillsborough goal was truly “an utterly stunning football moment”. (Although Fleck’s cheeky one via David Brooks is also worthy of a mention).
Fantastic piece Ben
Thanks so much, Ben.
Many of these players I’ve never seen in action, but of those I have, I think you’ve positioned them extremely well in your rankings.
Sander Berge. “Probably the best way to summarise Berge’s United career is that every time he does something good we’re left asking “why doesn’t he just do that every time?”” Exactly so.
Jake Wright. “It’s no coincidence that the Blades didn’t lose a single one of the 30 league games Wright played in that campaign.” Just amazing – I wonder how many other footballers can have that said about them?
Gary Speed. I had one of those “can you remember where you were when you heard the news?” moments – I was in hospital after an operation and an anaesthetic. The TV was on in the background when I woke from a doze and saw Gary Speed on the screen. I thought “oh, this must be something about Sheffield United” (typical Blade?!) so I switched up the sound, only to hear the tragic news. Thanks so much for the link to the BBC article – that made very interesting reading, especially about the Swansea v Aston Villa match going ahead. RIP.
Kevin McDonald. “…a brilliant passer, and just pure class on the ball.” One of my all-time favourites – so pleased to see him make the list!
John (the beard) Brayford. Definitely a cult hero!
Paul Peschisolido. One player I really, really wish I’d seen in a Blades’ shirt.
Leon Clarke. Yes, always remembered for that afternoon in the sun at Hull.
Mark Duffy. And Coutts. And Fleck. The magnificent three. And yes, that Hillsborough goal was truly “an utterly stunning football moment”. (Although Fleck’s cheeky one via David Brooks is also worthy of a mention).
Thanks for all the research and the memories.
Sue.