6 things we learned from the Sheffield United documentary

The best football documentary since 'Warnock' threw up a few important tidbits and reminders

Think of sports’ most influential or life-affirming documentaries and chances are, the recent Sheffield United video on the successful 2022/23 season trumped it. The brainchild of United’s content team, “Out Run. Out Fight. Out Play” is something none of us clamoured for, and none of us deserves. We watched the three-part documentary to see if we could glean any extra secrets – or to decide which player we’d rather go to the pub with.

The title still makes me uncomfortable

Before we get started, I’d like to note my respectful disapproval of the documentary’s name. I first noticed “Out Run. Out Fight. Out Play.” when the club started putting it on the inside collar of its shirts. As an approach, I love it. It’s inextricably intertwined with Sheffield United, a classic ‘unfashionable club’ that has struggled to shift off its Warnock shackles since Tongey’s double against Liverpool but has been at the forefront of both tactical innovation and English academy development for a decade.

However, as a qualified journalist (sorry), the way the tagline is written prompts a full-body itch. Separating the ‘Out’ works stylistically, but it should at least be ‘out-run’, and in a perfect world, ‘outrun’. I’m keenly aware that this doesn’t matter to 95 per cent of the fanbase, but I’m the one writing this piece, so it makes the list.

I only carried on watching because I love the club

I’d love to play for Hecky, Jack and Stuart McCall

The three-part documentary starts as the play-off season ends, with former cult hero Morgan ‘Notts badge kisser’ Gibbs-White missing the decisive penalty against Forest. The doc skirts over the well-covered post-match events, but the faces of the interviewees – which include Paul Heckingbottom, Ollie Norwood, Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge among others – say enough.

What’s immediately apparent is the mentality of the management group. From Heckingbottom moving swiftly on to the next season and the aim of automatic promotion, to Stuart McCall’s calm demeanour during the penalties, we have a group of coaches that are mature, can see context and look for the sensible positives in every situation.

As the new season starts and our new recruits enter the building, this irrepressible, pragmatically positive approach doesn’t wane. It’s clear that the three coaches are incredibly close, even down to the close proximity of Jack Lester and McCall’s desks, and their self-deprecating humour must be contagious. As Tommy Doyle walks in, Heckingbottom says of McCall, “it’s his fault you’re here!” McCall replies, “it was a no from me, but anyway, you’re here now.” Doyle is visibly immediately at ease, chiming up with a “nice one” and a smile. He was hooked from day one.

The old boys obviously loved the club

We all have our thoughts on the departures of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. From sensible takes on the pull of boyhood clubs and financial naïveté to the expected cries of betrayal and the players acting like ‘SNEKS’* (*snakes), our two headline players left this summer for various reasons.

While we’ll never know the full details of their departures, what you can tell from the documentary is that both players loved their time here. Every time either pops up in interviews, their descriptions of goals, moments or the general feel of the club are laced with warmth.

From Sander looking like a ready-made European manager or embracing his teammates after another silky smooth goal, to Iliman describing how it felt to hear his name belted out by the United faithful before the World Cup or seeing the joy the squad felt when his name was read out as part of the Senegal squad, Sheffield United has made a lasting impression on perhaps the two best players we’ve had in the modern era.

I actually think we’re a better overall tram now, without the two – but watching this documentary didn’t half make me miss the genius both could show on their day.

I want to go for a pint with Oliver Norwood

The MVP of the documentary is undoubtedly Ollie Norwood. His refreshing honesty paired perfectly with his inclination to smile at his and the team’s struggles throughout the season. His analysis of the chaos game against Blackpool? “We were so bad, we were lucky to be level [at half time]”.

His thoughts on penalty decisions going Wrexham’s way? “The first penalty wasn't in the box; the second penalty was assault and was definitely in the box.” It just so happens the second penalty was conceded by a certain Mr Ollie Norwood.

It’s so lovely to see a footballer who just enjoys the sport for what it is. It helps that Norwood has been one of our greatest midfielders. I’m sure he’ll look back and smile.

Oli McBurnie is a very good striker

Certain people seem to find it easy to overlook Oli McBurnie’s contributions last season. Anyone McBurnie cynics need to watch this documentary and fall humbly at the football boots of our number 9. As we’ve mentioned previously on The Pinch, McBurnie was on phenomenal form before his biggest injury last season, comfortably matching Aleksandar Mitrović's defining championship season.

With the range of goals and generally impressive hold-up play, along with his ability to immediately bond with a strike partner, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that with McBurnie up top all season, we would’ve challenged Burnley much more closely for the league title.

His presence at the club should also not go unnoticed. Since his decision to take his career and personal life in a different direction, he’s almost become an elder statesman, linking his colleagues together in a friendly, pretty wise fashiion.

He also mentions being utterly knackered after celebrating a Jack Robinson goal – “Honestly I was done when you scored” – which is all you could ever hope for.

Wrexham can keep their Disney documentary

This is one of the best football documentaries I’ve ever seen. It’s a truly quality bit of work, from the narrative structure, to the naturalistic interviews, to the supreme camerawork. Wrexham spent millions of pounds making a documentary, creating an inauthentic fanfare, and have been trumped by the creativity of Sheffield United’s in-house content team. There are surely awards coming their way.

Don’t think this documentary is the next sporting exposé. It’s not there to delve into the intricacies of our finances, or the tumultuous episodes in the dressing room, or the myriad issues with modern football. (That’s what we’re here for). What it knows it is – and therefore does brilliantly – is an opportunity for Sheffield United fans to see the humans behind the footballers they follow across the country; the personalities that have graced or continue to lace up their boots at Bramall Lane.

No football club is perfect, and this three-parter doesn’t particularly pretend we are, especially with Ollie Norwood’s semi-regular ‘we were crap that day’ interjections (we’re looking at you, Blackpool…). It’s really a bit of a love letter to our club from those who keep it going, put together by the best content and social media team in the country. It’s a piece of work to be proud of, following a club that, despite our regular frustrated outbursts, we’ve always been proud of, too.