The Countdown to kickoff starts here..........
So it’s been two and a half months since the disappointment of the playoff final, a disappointment that many of us Blades brethren have encountered all two many times. But as always we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, laughed off the digs aimed our way emanating from the S6 direction, and are all looking ahead to the new season one that I’m sure we are all both optimistic and apprehensive towards.
Since the final whistle at Wembley there have been a number of developments at BDTBL. Initially there was the reported resignation submission by Kevin Blackwell following the defeat to Burnley, this was both confirmed and quashed by Kevin McCabe on Friday at the question and answer session. I’m sure that we can all understand the comments under the circumstance and the most would agree with reasoning given. However I’m sure that an equal amount will be disappointed at the fact that this wasn’t taken. Either way and whichever side of the fence you place your rear, Kevin Blackwell is in place and is looking toward the new season with confidence.
Following the resolution of this matter the player’s contracts were finally under discussion, and the rumours of who would stay and who would go forth to a new challenge were upon us. The mass culling of players that many sectors of the fans were hoping for never materialised. Certain players who’s contracts were up were told that they wouldn’t be playing here next season, and many of these departures were no big surprise.
Since then we have all listened intently to the rumour mills and the jungle drums, to see who would be the new arrivals for this season, the potential new breed of blades heroes, those who we will be putting our faith in come match day. With the arrivals of Lee Williamson, Kyle Reid, Andy Taylor, Ched Evans, Ryan France, Keith Treacy and Mark Bunn the speculation starts as to what the manager has in mind in certain positions, and who will work with who in what areas and the biggest being what kind of football can we expect to see this season. All of these questions will be answered in the coming months, and all will be a variety of different opinions from different sections of the crowd. This then will be business as usual.
As well as the arrivals, we have also had to deal with the loss of two young but promising players whom we all (Including this very supporter) had fallen in love with. The two Kyle’s brought about an air of expectation at the lane when they played last season. For two so young they showed that as a club we are able to take the talent and nurture it, and when the time is right (Or an injury means that you need to) give them the opportunity. Without doubt these boys were going places and I for defy anyone to think that with the way they were playing and the media attention that they received we would hang on to them for another season. Of course I hoped that we could do something that would make them stay, we all know that they are local boys, and are lucky enough to have the true red and white running through them, however as is seen too many times recently when the bright lights of the Premier League start to shine and the lure of the money is placed before them there are few who can resist. And lets be fair, as young as they are, they are already working towards there retirement from the beautiful game, and as such need to make sure that they have not only made the most of their careers, but they have also achieved the most that they can while doing so. Granted I as many others would have loved them to remain at least for one more season (An of course we have Kyle Walker at BDTBL for a season long loan) but should that have happened, and god forbid they had suffered from a serious injury, then they may have looked back at that bid and said “what if?”. So I for one will relish the opportunity to say
“Good luck to Kyle Naughton in the loft heights of the Premier League, I hope you get the chance that you deserve. And welcome home to Kyle Walker. Good luck for the season ahead, now show us more of what we know you can do”
So from there we arrive here. As I write this we are 72 hours from a hopeful 3 points start to the new season away at the Riverside. A season that will no doubt include “Should have”, “would have”, “could have”. Without a doubt this season, with the arrival of West Brom and Middlesbrough, wont be a walk in the park, and with Newcastle United also gracing our playground this season there are any number of teams that the blessed pundits and “experts” can pick and choose from to be in the running come Christmas. With Preston, Reading and ourselves aiming to make right the misfortune of last season anything can and most likely will happen. I for one am looking forward to the new season. For us fans there are many tasty games to look forward to, with the Piggies and the Dingles beating the drop last season, and with the success of Doncaster Rovers there are plenty of local games to allow the bragging rights to be fought over once again. For the travelling masses, there are the opportunities of new grounds to visit, with the arrival of Peterborough United, Leicester City and Scunthorpe United. Although a trip to Glanford Park is not always something the look forward to. For the new members there is the chance to meet up at the Golden Lion before matches, put faces to names. For the regulars the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves ahead of another season and to remind ourselves of the diverse group that we make up is always something to look forward to.
So to you all who take the time to read this, be you young, old, seasoned traveller or home match veteran, season ticket holder or “as and when I can”, to my Blade Brethren, I call you all to once again make Bramall Lane feared. Make this ground of ours a place that the opposition fans arrive at with heavy hearts. And regardless of the result, get behind our boys and give them all the understanding of what this means to everyone of us there. Let us fill the seats on a rainy Tuesday night in November, and a freezing Saturday in January. Let our unity show the teams that arrive that this is our house and that here you will be subjected to our noise and our rules.
I say bring your stars, bring your fans.
I ask you to all join with me in stating to all our opposition.......
FOOTBALL IS MY RELIGION, AND THIS IS MY CHURCH!!!!!
So it’s been two and a half months since the disappointment of the playoff final, a disappointment that many of us Blades brethren have encountered all two many times. But as always we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, laughed off the digs aimed our way emanating from the S6 direction, and are all looking ahead to the new season one that I’m sure we are all both optimistic and apprehensive towards.
Since the final whistle at Wembley there have been a number of developments at BDTBL. Initially there was the reported resignation submission by Kevin Blackwell following the defeat to Burnley, this was both confirmed and quashed by Kevin McCabe on Friday at the question and answer session. I’m sure that we can all understand the comments under the circumstance and the most would agree with reasoning given. However I’m sure that an equal amount will be disappointed at the fact that this wasn’t taken. Either way and whichever side of the fence you place your rear, Kevin Blackwell is in place and is looking toward the new season with confidence.
Following the resolution of this matter the player’s contracts were finally under discussion, and the rumours of who would stay and who would go forth to a new challenge were upon us. The mass culling of players that many sectors of the fans were hoping for never materialised. Certain players who’s contracts were up were told that they wouldn’t be playing here next season, and many of these departures were no big surprise.
Since then we have all listened intently to the rumour mills and the jungle drums, to see who would be the new arrivals for this season, the potential new breed of blades heroes, those who we will be putting our faith in come match day. With the arrivals of Lee Williamson, Kyle Reid, Andy Taylor, Ched Evans, Ryan France, Keith Treacy and Mark Bunn the speculation starts as to what the manager has in mind in certain positions, and who will work with who in what areas and the biggest being what kind of football can we expect to see this season. All of these questions will be answered in the coming months, and all will be a variety of different opinions from different sections of the crowd. This then will be business as usual.
As well as the arrivals, we have also had to deal with the loss of two young but promising players whom we all (Including this very supporter) had fallen in love with. The two Kyle’s brought about an air of expectation at the lane when they played last season. For two so young they showed that as a club we are able to take the talent and nurture it, and when the time is right (Or an injury means that you need to) give them the opportunity. Without doubt these boys were going places and I for defy anyone to think that with the way they were playing and the media attention that they received we would hang on to them for another season. Of course I hoped that we could do something that would make them stay, we all know that they are local boys, and are lucky enough to have the true red and white running through them, however as is seen too many times recently when the bright lights of the Premier League start to shine and the lure of the money is placed before them there are few who can resist. And lets be fair, as young as they are, they are already working towards there retirement from the beautiful game, and as such need to make sure that they have not only made the most of their careers, but they have also achieved the most that they can while doing so. Granted I as many others would have loved them to remain at least for one more season (An of course we have Kyle Walker at BDTBL for a season long loan) but should that have happened, and god forbid they had suffered from a serious injury, then they may have looked back at that bid and said “what if?”. So I for one will relish the opportunity to say
“Good luck to Kyle Naughton in the loft heights of the Premier League, I hope you get the chance that you deserve. And welcome home to Kyle Walker. Good luck for the season ahead, now show us more of what we know you can do”
So from there we arrive here. As I write this we are 72 hours from a hopeful 3 points start to the new season away at the Riverside. A season that will no doubt include “Should have”, “would have”, “could have”. Without a doubt this season, with the arrival of West Brom and Middlesbrough, wont be a walk in the park, and with Newcastle United also gracing our playground this season there are any number of teams that the blessed pundits and “experts” can pick and choose from to be in the running come Christmas. With Preston, Reading and ourselves aiming to make right the misfortune of last season anything can and most likely will happen. I for one am looking forward to the new season. For us fans there are many tasty games to look forward to, with the Piggies and the Dingles beating the drop last season, and with the success of Doncaster Rovers there are plenty of local games to allow the bragging rights to be fought over once again. For the travelling masses, there are the opportunities of new grounds to visit, with the arrival of Peterborough United, Leicester City and Scunthorpe United. Although a trip to Glanford Park is not always something the look forward to. For the new members there is the chance to meet up at the Golden Lion before matches, put faces to names. For the regulars the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves ahead of another season and to remind ourselves of the diverse group that we make up is always something to look forward to.
So to you all who take the time to read this, be you young, old, seasoned traveller or home match veteran, season ticket holder or “as and when I can”, to my Blade Brethren, I call you all to once again make Bramall Lane feared. Make this ground of ours a place that the opposition fans arrive at with heavy hearts. And regardless of the result, get behind our boys and give them all the understanding of what this means to everyone of us there. Let us fill the seats on a rainy Tuesday night in November, and a freezing Saturday in January. Let our unity show the teams that arrive that this is our house and that here you will be subjected to our noise and our rules.
I say bring your stars, bring your fans.
I ask you to all join with me in stating to all our opposition.......
FOOTBALL IS MY RELIGION, AND THIS IS MY CHURCH!!!!!
