The boyhood Sheffield United supporter could face arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday next season after the Blades were promoted to the Championship on Saturday.
Sheffield United fans take to the pitch after John Fleck scores their winner against Northampton Town
“Sheffield Wednesday, we’re coming for you.” That was the warning issued vociferously by Sheffield United supporters as their side won promotion back to the Championship on Saturday.
It’s five years since the two local rivals appeared in the same division, when Wednesday pipped the Blades to second in League One.
But with the Owls – who would have been a Premier League side had they not lost last season’s play-off final against Hull City – back in the mix this season, there’s a chance they may not be around when United arrive back in the second tier.
And it’s a prospect that Blades striker Billy Sharp would certainly not relish.
“I hope they lose in the final of the play-offs on penalties so they don’t have as much rest as we do, and I hope we play them next season and beat them twice,” Sharp told Talksport shortly after claiming the League One Player of the Year crown at Sunday’s EFL awards ceremony.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Steven Fletcher (far left) celebrates scoring his team’s winner against Newcastle United
Sharp, a lifelong Unitedite, is currently in his third and most productive spell at Bramall Lane.
The 31-year-old’s allegiance did not prevent Wednesday from trying to bring him to Hillsborough, however, with former bosses Brian Laws and Dave Jones both keen.
But Sharp told Sheffield Live TV in October: “The closest time (to becoming a Wednesday player) was from Scunthorpe when I signed for Sheffield United.
“There was Wolves, Norwich and Wednesday. I couldn’t just say no (to the Owls), obviously it was an ex-manager Brian Laws. He was pestering me and pestering me and I said: ‘look I will come to you’.
Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp is held aloft by the travelling fans after their promotion
“I went to Norwich, went to Wolves, went to Wednesday – when it (Hillsborough) was two feet under water. Then I sat down with my dad and chose Wolverhampton Wanderers. I rang Mick McCarthy and said I want to come and meet tomorrow. He said: ‘yep, brilliant’.
“Then about an hour after (Sheffield United manager) Bryan Robson rang. I had to ring Mick McCarthy back, he swore at me on the phone a few times but said: ‘okay, I understand’. The other three clubs was out of my memory straight away.”
Can Sheffield Wednesday follow the lead of Sheffield United and achieve promotion this season?
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