Wilder Statement

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Why you writing love letters to him on here if you don't want him to read them?

Because it's not really a letter to him, it's a merely a literary device

 

[DronnieBlade]

Thank you and good luck gaffer.

I most certainly have enjoyed the ride and don’t have the memory of a goldfish to understand what you have done for this club in this last 5 years.

You fucked up most recently in many different ways. You will by now have had chance to reflect on this no doubt and be the better man for it.

But the fact remains you left the club in significantly better shape then when you took charge.

In the final analysis, maybe that’s the most important legacy that any football manager could strive to achieve.

.

Forever UTB

 

[Champagneblade]

Released via the LMA website.

"When I walked back into Bramall Lane, in May 2016, having been given the chance to manage the Club I’d supported all my life, who could have predicted the next four-and-a-half years? It has been some journey and one I’m immensely proud of.

"It was an opportunity I couldn’t resist and one that I couldn’t wait to get started. My story with Sheffield United was well-documented, as a fan, ballboy and player in two spells, but my managerial record to then was recognised and I was appointed on merit.

"I spoke to a lot of people, canvassed plenty of opinion and set about reconnecting the Club and supporters at the same time as attempting to build a squad that could climb out of the doldrums of League One. Both of those goals were achieved.

"Admittedly, it wasn’t the start that everyone wanted but with Billy Sharp as captain and with the backing of the punters on the terraces, slowly but surely we went about our business, taking the rough with the smooth and staying humble as we began to build momentum that would take us to the heights of the Premier League and a highest ever finish in the modern era.

"Along the way there were so many achievements and moments to be remembered. In no particular order, important victories at Hillsborough, Elland Road and Old Trafford, collecting a record 100 points, open top bus parades, town hall receptions, thousands of fans welcoming us back to the Lane after fixtures at Northampton and Stoke and, of course, making sure we celebrated the successes because, as Blades fans well know, it’s either feast or famine. We were in good form when Covid hit last year and who knows how far we could have gone, you could not avoid the talk of possible European football – hopefully that kept a few Unitedites going in a tough period.

"Throughout the journey, it has been a team effort and I must point out that the commitment, hard work and talent of a number of people have been major contributory factors to the success of Sheffield United in recent years – there’s too many to mention but Billy and the players, Alan Knill and the staff, and my wife, Francesca, and all the family, have been heavily influential.

"I have to mention the supporters at this point, too, because they have also been a driving force of the whole operation, many of whom I’ve stood side by side with on the terraces, home and away.

"As proved this season, football is just not the same without fans and I stand by the comment that I’ve made on numerous occasions, the Club have missed out more than most, Unitedites have the ability to turn losses into draws and draws into wins. I cannot stress enough how important the fans are and I’ve been humbled by the unequivocal support, even this season when things haven’t gone so well.

"Additionally, since leaving Sheffield United I’ve received numerous messages of support from within the game and I’m appreciative of that. Now, before deciding what’s next, I’m enjoying a period of reflection at home in a city that I love and that I’m incredibly proud to live in, Sheffield is the home of football, it is dominated by the sport and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

"I’ll miss the feeling of a packed Bramall Lane, to me it was one of the greatest atmospheres in football but I would say that, I lived the dream of every Blades fan and I hope every one of them understands that I tried to represent them correctly in ‘giving them their club back’, a phrase that has been said to me quite a few times. And one I verbally believe we did!

"I would like to wish everyone associated with the football club & the owners the very best in the future. This Football Club will always hold a special place in my heart, it has from an early age and that will never change.

"Thanks again for everything.”

UTB

Chris

Excellent statement. That's the way to move everyone on. Well done, Chris and thanks for all the great memories.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

It had to end one day and it's a pity it had to end in this way and in empty stadiums but you gave us the best of times. Legend status guaranteed for one of our own.

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Calm down Doris

Nah, gonna keep saying it

 

[true99blade]

What I expected. Class.

No petty point scoring bollocks like the Prince’s interview.

A man who well and truly deserves to hold his head up high and reflect on what was an absolutely grand journey he led us through. Nothing but respect.

 

[Addison]

Personal heart felt words probably written under guidance from the LMA. He is bound by NDA clauses that prevent comments affecting the Clubs commercial confidentiality and reputation. He would be unable to refer to the actual circumstances of him leaving even if he wanted to.

I suspect he has been advised there is nothing in the Princes interview that contravenes the NDA and it is best to draw a line under the matter, not least for his own peace of mind. His statement reflects that.

CW gave us four great years my personal favourites being the bouncing day result and the Holy Trinity of Coutts, Fleck and Duffy. I fear it started to go wrong with his dismissal of Duffy as he tried to juggle the management of the team with growing off field demands required of an EPL Club. In simple terms he was spinning too many plates. Bettis should have encouraged him to delegate more. The best time to improve is when you are at your peak yet everyone got carried away with our EPL start and failed to recognise the pressures that were being placed on CW. Everyone including we the supporters.

Lockdown merely accelerated the inevitable as CW struggled with his first real signs of adversity. It was concerning to see the 360 degree shift in his personality as it seems everyone at the Club on and off it were wanting a daily piece of him. CW's demise was no doubt in part due to his own stubborn approach but the Club are equally at fault. I struggle to understand how one person was allowed to take on so much without being managed from above. Bettis was CW's on site Line Manager, was he managing or letting his friendship affect his judgement?

Questions have to be asked as to how the Club got themselves into a situation where the Team Manager was negotiating through the LMA and local press when he was still an employee. The structure IMO was at fault and the failure to have a Derek Dooley type experienced football man on the Board managing CW contributed to the messy conclusion that resulted. The Club need to learn lessons from this.

It is pleasing to see CW's statement wish the owners well. I hope this draws a line under the matter and it encourages those close to CW to get back to supporting the Club and not the man. Equally I hope CW after his 6 month sabbatical gets back into the game and begins to enjoy life again. Time for everyone to move on.

 

[Nosworthys Throw]

Cheers Chris.

NEXT!

 

[ChappyAppleBlade]

Thanks for the memories Chris Wilder, Hillsborough will live with me forever.

However this season just gives me the sad feeling he built a warship out of paper mache.

Also if he ever comes back to the Lane as an opponent manager, I hope we absolutely paste him.

 

[sitwell]

Didn't love us enough to finish what he started. He should have put up with the owners until the end of the season then resigned.

Fuck him and his lapdog called Wit.

Pathetic post.

 

[Jake Richard Cuthbert]

Just a shame it didn't end with European qualification and an FA Cup Semi Final.

 

[N20 Blade]

No virtue repeating what others have already said, he will always be a legend and on the same level to me as Bassett.

What struck me, was that he mentioned Billy twice and clearly his impact was significant. Bill's post Leicester interview hit home with me massively and he too is a Blades legend and deserves a proper send off, not a free transfer out of the club.

 

[Stantheman]

Nice sentiment, but also in the past. Didn't say anything contrary to the Prince's statement so assume that was the truth. Walked out the back door and quit when the going got tough then released a statement via the front door.

I support Sheffield United, not Chris wilder. UTB.

 

[Bladeloyal]

Thanks for 4 years Chris ,no point sticking the boot in on this year's debacle .we move on you move on utb .

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Nice sentiment, but also in the past. Didn't say anything contrary to the Prince's statement so assume that was the truth. Walked out the back door and quit when the going got tough then released a statement via the front door.

I support Sheffield United, not Chris wilder. UTB.

Did any fucker ask you to 'support Chris Wilder' over Sheffield United?

Thankfully, due to a fully functional frontal cortex, some of us can manage to support one and appreciate the other.

 

[cahill]

Classy statement from CW, although wish he'd have stayed so disappointed with that. He'll be back after we've parted company with our next 10 managers in the space of three years.

 

[Stantheman]

Did any fucker ask you to 'support Chris Wilder' over Sheffield United?

Thankfully, due to a fully functional frontal cortex, some of us can manage to support one and appreciate the other.

Who the fuck are you?

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Who the fuck are you?

The one who's telling you like it is

 

[N20 Blade]

Did any fucker ask you to 'support Chris Wilder' over Sheffield United?

Thankfully, due to a fully functional frontal cortex, some of us can manage to support one and appreciate the other.

Thankfully, due to a fully functional frontal cortex, some of us can manage to support one and appreciate the other.

I'm hoping it's the vast majority NIN, but beautifully put!

 

[vas borbokis]

Thanks for all those magnificent memories Chris. I hope I'm wrong, but I think it'll be lean pickings for some time for us Blades.

To those few who are criticising, to quote Knowsnowt, "GTF"!

 

[sitwell]

Nice sentiment, but also in the past. Didn't say anything contrary to the Prince's statement so assume that was the truth. Walked out the back door and quit when the going got tough then released a statement via the front door.

I support Sheffield United, not Chris wilder. UTB.

One mans statement showed class, the others was a pathetic disrespectful backstabbing load of shit.
Do you support Sheffield United or Prince Abdullah ?

 

[Stantheman]

The one who's telling you like it is

Deluded Bell End with anger management issues you mean?

 

[Dark muffy]

Tinchy Stryder...........hes one of our own

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Deluded Bell End with anger management issues you mean?

I'll take that over being a Pig In Blanket any day of the week.

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Thankfully, due to a fully functional frontal cortex, some of us can manage to support one and appreciate the other.

I'm hoping it's the vast majority NIN, but beautifully put!

I hope so too mate, not so optimistic though.

 

[Stantheman]

I'll take that over being a Pig In Blanket any day of the week.

Idiot.

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

.

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

Idiot.

Usually, you're supposed to write something before you sign it off.

 

[Stantheman]

Usually, you're supposed to write something before you sign it off.

You're a nobody pal, a young arsehole, no weight prick. Fuck off.

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

You're a nobody pal, a young arsehole, no weight prick. Fuck off.

What were you saying about anger issues again?

Poor lad, he's ragin'.