Sharp

[DronnieBlade]

Not a surprise.

Will still get up towards that 300 goals total somewhere else.

Surprisingly misunderstood,
Chronically under-utilised.

For a player that has made it very clear he wants to continue his career, this is a golden opportunity for one last hurrah.

Derby .

UTB

 

[Ron_Justice]

As much as it hurts, it feels like the right thing. Heart says No, Head says Yeah. Just hope he finds a club to keep banging them in and he has an eye on management/coaching. Be a shame to lose him from the footballing world.

 

[mancunianblade]

Poor from the club this imo.. whilst it’s the right decision this should have been public a while back so we could have given him a proper onfield send off at the lane.

 

[Bladesman]

Poor from the club this imo.. whilst it’s the right decision this should have been public a while back so we could have given him a proper onfield send off at the lane.

That I agree with but let's face it with the way the club is being run with the takeover then I don't think Hecky has been able to say yes or no to anyone until this week regarding new contracts.

 

[Kev Gee]

Sad times... Thanks for those amazing memories Billy!
I'm sure he will be back again in the future... Maybe as manager?

I don't think this is surprising as I saw an interview after we secured promotion were he told off the interviewer for suggesting he retire and said he had another 5 years left in himself!

 

[raul]

Statue. Now.

 

[Westran]

It was always going to be sad to say goodbye, I just hope Billy can accept that it's the right time for his playing career to end with us and that he can leave on good terms. There's always going to be space for him in some capacity at the lane, but he's got time left in him in lower leagues if he wants to continue playing

 

[Mojo]

The writing was always on the wall but from being a bit of a united reject to becoming an absolute legend in this third spell with the club, leading us to 3 promotions during his time as captain, things couldn't have gone any better and he and this period will always be remembered with the absolute fondest of memories.

Thanks for everything bill

 

[Blade58]

If funds allow I would’ve offered Billy a coaching role, starting at the academy

 

[Ned the Donkey]

Let's see a) if this is true and b) how it is handled, but Billy's role off the pitch has been crucial in our recent success, if he is not here next season we could be missing an awful lot more than a footballer.

 

[unitedbhoy]

Forever be a legend and the greatest Blades striker many of us have seen.

If it's true it's a shame we and him didn't get the opportunity to say thanks and goodbye.

 

[TJB.]

Yeah it’s not gone down well

Surely it must have been a possibility in his mind? He's not daft.

 

[Torrix1889]

I can't understand why Billy is, (evidently) so pissed off about the news. He's 38 and has just struggled to make an impact for the majority of the season in the Championship.

Everyone has to be realistic, fans, club and more importantly Billy himself.

 

[BLADES1988]

I am pleased with this decision as sad as it is. Shows we are moving in the right direction, moving players on who's time has come. Thanks old Bill, never a finer captain or legend of the lane. The younguns and new boys must carry the torch now.

Hopefully he gets a decent team in League 1 like Derby or Barno to get his tally even higher. Then one day return as manager or coach in some capacity.

 

[Bookers Mullet]

Probably the right time, but will be difficult though as to me he is a Blades legend.

And I'd still prefer him to Pukki

If its true, good luck Bill and thank you for everything, you'll not be forgotten

 

[BLADES1988]

I can't understand why Billy is, (evidently) so pissed off about the news. He's 38 and has just struggled to make an impact for the majority of the season in the Championship.

Everyone has to be realistic, fans, club and more importantly Billy himself.

Wheres he "evidently " pissed off? His Mrs been on the twitter again?

 

[FoxtrotAlphaZulu]

Sad news but correct decision. Would’ve hoped he’d be given a coaching role with the kids or helping Geary.

Deserves to be held in the same esteem as the likes of Deane, Currie & Edwards etc as Blades legends.

Absolutely means that the likes of Fleck, Stevens & it pains me to say it, maybe Basham don’t get kept on too. All of a similar standard.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Sad but probably the right time.

He's a legend. He stepped down a league and helped drag us up to heights even as fans we didn't really dream about in that first premier league season.

 

[Torrix1889]

Wheres he "evidently " pissed off? His Mrs been on the twitter again?

According to T-Blade who is apparently ITK about this and Oli Mac being offered a new deal as well.

 

[Davalon]

Let's see a) if this is true and b) how it is handled, but Billy's role off the pitch has been crucial in our recent success, if he is not here next season we could be missing an awful lot more than a footballer.

Whilst I understand where you're coming from we can't afford to pay a player to be a mascot or cheerleader in the PL. And especially not one who still has the desire to play and score goals which with the greatest of respect, isn't in the PL at this stage.

 

[Eza Blade]

I wasn't ready for this news

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

Donnys next Player/Manager. I made it up here first.

 

[T-Blade]

Surely it must have been a possibility in his mind? He's not daft.

You would have thought so but in his mind he was getting another year. It will be interesting to see how he is at the parade tomorrow

 

[Torrix1889]

Sad but probably the right time.

He's a legend. He stepped down a league and helped drag us up to heights even as fans we didn't really dream about in that first premier league season.

Completely agree.

Probably the right time for his fellow oldies....Enda, Fleck, Norwood & Bash as well

 

[The Crab]

Yeah it’s not gone down well

I’d imagine not, but surely it can’t have been that much of a suprise?

Billy’s a legend, no doubt about that. Not offering a new deal might be a shitty call to have to make, but given everything considered including his wage, it’s the correct call.

That shouldn’t diminish from what he’s given us though. Time catches up with all of us

 

[mattbianco1]

Suppose it explains why he went off his nut at Osula now.

Might have been last chance he gets at a goal

 

[Cheesebored]

Statue. Now.

Unfortunately yes, probably why he's being moved on.

 

[djbaldken]

The time for sentimentality is gone. Billy has been fucking brilliant for United in three spells at the club. But he aint gonna scratch the surface next season. We need a replacement and I thought that Maupay would be that signing when I saw him for Brentford v us before promotion the first time under Wilder.

We signed McPub.

pommpey

Correct. No time for sentiment. Billy has been a fantastic servant of the club. But his time has gone now sadly.
On the subject of Maupay. I have a good friend who is an Everton fan. He does not speak very highly of Maupay at all. According to him, think Connor Salmon/Chris Guthrie.

 

[Stu_Blade]

If true who is odds on for Captain next season? I know Norwood has had an officialish Vice role but he isnt suitable to step up to the plate. George could be a good option always gives 100% and goes about his business in a professional manner.

Sharp will always be a Blades Legend no denying it, depending on him if he wants to continue to play and if he can if wants to drop wages yet again.

 

[Mendi]

Sad stuff