More Blades books

[SUFC Handsworth]

Don't know if it's been done already but noticed on amazon that there's another couple of books due out soon that may be of interest to Blades fans. 30 great United games of the 70s by Nick Udal and Budgie the autobiography of John Burridge.

Udal did the book about when United won the old, old First division and does a piece in the programme each week about the 70-71 season. He's a Blade so this book should be a labour of love.

Budgie played for 29 different clubs, so we might get a sentence or two. No doubt the story about him escaping from Arthur Cox's office at Derby to sign for United will get in.

As an aside I've just bought the Sheffield United Miscellany off Amazon, literally just arrived today. It's not boding well as the first piece I've read stipulates that we've only ever had one British under 21 international while at the Lane, that being Peter Beagrie. Don't know if the chap who has written it is a Blade, but as well as Billy Beagrie, a number of others have won u-21 caps - Quinn, Woodhouse, Morris, Jagielka, Tonge and Naughton for England; Monty for the Jocks; Evans for Wales; and Morrison, Donnelly and Chapman for Northern Ireland.

I've also just noticed on the back jacket that Hagan was the oldest player to turn out for United. I would have to check but I'm sure Albert Sturgess had that particular honour, and didn't McCall play on until his 40s?

 

[Foxy]

As an aside I've just bought the Sheffield United Miscellany off Amazon, literally just arrived today. It's not boding well as the first piece I've read stipulates that we've only ever had one British under 21 international while at the Lane, that being Peter Beagrie. Don't know if the chap who has written it is a Blade, but as well as Billy Beagrie, a number of others have won u-21 caps - Quinn, Woodhouse, Morris, Jagielka, Tonge and Naughton for England; Monty for the Jocks; Evans for Wales; and Morrison, Donnelly and Chapman for Northern Ireland.

I've also just noticed on the back jacket that Hagan was the oldest player to turn out for United. I would have to check but I'm sure Albert Sturgess had that particular honour, and didn't McCall play on until his 40s?

Someone else mentioned that to me recently and was going to take a look at it... However, it sounds like I might be better not bothering

 

[cahill]

If I'd to pick my favourite Blades season it would possibly be 1970-71, apart from the kicking I got at M'boro

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Just read about the author on the sleeve, sports journalist, made contributions to the Sheffield Star, would explain alot Looking at the other books he's done probably a scouser.

 

[Silent Blade]

I've also just noticed on the back jacket that Hagan was the oldest player to turn out for United. I would have to check but I'm sure Albert Sturgess had that particular honour, and didn't McCall play on until his 40s?

Yes, Albert Sturgess is our oldest ever player to have played in a competitive match for the Blades (played 40 games in the season that celebrated his 40th birthday). He then got transferred to Norwich and played in two more seasons for them.

I think McCall (born June 1964) is the 2nd oldest, having played two league cup matches in the 2004-05 season.

Billy Gillespie is third in the list playing his last league match just after his 40th birthday.

Jimmy Hagan'slast competitive game for us was when he was 39 years and 8 months in Sept 1957 but he did play for us in a testimonial match or two in the mid 1960s (Joe Shaw and eithir Graham Shaw or Cec Coldwell's testimonial