We catch up with the last Sheffield United XI to play in the Championship.
After a six-year absence, Sheffield United will return to the Championship next season under manager Chris Wilder.
The Blades, who stormed to the League One title this year, last played second tier football in May of 2011. On that day, United were on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing away to Swansea City.
Let’s catch up with the Sheffield United starting-eleven from that miserable game:
Goalkeeper George Long remains at Bramall Lane. The 23-year-old started in the opening three games of the Blades’ 2016/7 campaign before Simon Moore took his place in-between the sticks.
Fullback Joe Mattock could be without a club in the summer with his Rotherham United contract set to expire in July. Mattock featured 36 times during the Millers’ ill-fated Championship campaign.
In contrast, Matt Lowton is celebrating Premier League survival at Turf Moor. The former United youngster has only missed two games all season for the Clarets, helping them to nine clean sheets in the process.
Despite Hull City’s top-flight struggles, Harry Maguire has turned the heads of the Premier League’s elite clubs with his performances. The towering defender captained the Tigers in their recent fixtures against Middlesbrough and Watford – both of which ended in victory.
Rob Kozluk called time on his playing career in 2013. The defender, who was in his second spell at Bramall Lane when the Blades were relegated, went on to have stints at Port Vale, Bradford City and non-league club Ilkeston.
27-year-old Shane Lowry has taken his talents abroad. Following spells with Millwall, Leyton Orient and Birmingham City, the centre-back joined Australian top-flight side Perth Glory in January of 2016. Lowry recovered from hip surgery in the summer to make 13 A-League appearances so far this season.
Nick Montgomery has also gone down under. The Scottish midfielder joined the Central Coast Mariners in 2013 after 14 years and over 400 appearances for Sheffield United. Montgomery, who is now qualified as a UEFA A License coach, has played 22 times for the relegation-threatened Mariners during this current A-League campaign.
Michael Doyle and Jordan Slew have both won promotion from League Two.
Doyle was ever-present for Portsmouth as they won the League Two trophy on the final day of the season. The 35-year-old is expected to extend his stay at Fratton Park, even though his contract runs out in the summer.
Slew’s Plymouth Argyle side secured an automatic promotion place. The forward scored four goals in 32 appearances, including the winner against Cambridge United back in September.
Meanwhile, Lee Williamson and Stephen Quinn are currently at Championship clubs.
Williamson played just 14 times for Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion side this season – and will likely be released in the summer. It has been an equally frustrating campaign for Quinn. The Reading man could appear in the Championship play-offs after picking up a knee injury in September.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
