Poor showing from United fans today.

[yorkshirecoast]

The ground emptying out with 5 minutes to go remains the most cringeworthy spectacle for me.

UTB

I agree but did you see Villa on tv today? I'd say about 90% of their fans had left before the end - it was unbelievable.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Wednesday's view on our 125th celebrations.

- The club formed because the owners of a football ground had lost its biggest source of income - their future rivals having left to build their own ground - and to give a bit of competition to that same future rival who had become the dominant team in the area.
- The club that last won a major trophy before the Wall Street Crash.
- The club that brought a close to 115 years of county cricket in their city by evicting a club that had been at the ground 34 years before they were formed, so they could knock down a beautiful pavilion and build a football stand with pink cladding on it.

- The club whose fans like to think their rivals have benefitted from more stadium funding than they have, while ignoring the fact their own club has never had to build its own ground.
- The club whose only involvement in European football was when taking on village teams from picturesque Tuscany in the Anglo-Italian Cup.
- The club who whored themselves out to a businessperson who's gender was never really confirmed, and an Asian consortium who got the club on Horizon.
- The club whose fans create fake ordnance survey maps and alleged library articles in a desperate attempt to prove their rivals should be called 'the pigs', while their team plays in shirts that look like bacon.
- The club whose fans urinate on visiting supporters, fire distress flares at children, and take great pride in their hooligan element's notoriety.
- The club who tried to get an embarrassing home defeat wiped from the record books by attacking their opponents in an attempt to get the game abandoned.
- The club whose fans take the moral high ground over the financial troubles suffered by their rivals, while ignoring the fact they owed upwards of £50m to creditors at the same time.
- The club whose fans started a hate campaign against their manager - before he'd took charge of a single game - because he used to play for their rivals.
- The club supported by Sean Bean.
- The club that blew a ten point lead in a fight against relegation, only to blame someone else and sue them for all they'd got.
- The club that then planned on suing the local council and the FA for choosing their rivals' ground over theirs for World Cup selection, then forgetting all about it when England failed to get the World Cup anyway.
- The club whose fans wanted Russia to be awarded the World Cup because of the afore-mentioned preferences shown by the FA.

- The club who rewarded a player who had failed a drugs test by giving him a new contract.
- The club who gate-crashed the 150th anniversary of the oldest club in the world just to get a picture of Pele in their shirt.

- The club who renamed one of their stands after a local athlete done good who has still never been to the ground, and gets embarrassed when she drives past it.
- The club whose fans set up a hate campaign aimed at a victim of rape, because their star striker had been jailed over the offence.

- The club who failed to take any action against the afore-mentioned player convicted of rape.

- The club that nearly put a 150 year old local non-league club out of business by suing them for £3,000 over the late payment of a youth player loan payment.

- The club who play up the fact that their ground hosted the first ever floodlit game of football - while failing to add that they were still 11 years from being formed, and that their future rivals contributed 16 out of the 22 men that played.

Sheffield United

 

[United Aren't Back.]

This is the same Kevin McDonald who came to United after a bad injury when no other clubs would touch him with a barge pole. The same McDonald who a year later along with Williamson held Danny Wilson to and the club to ransom refusing to sign a new deal unless the club broke the bank, and proceeded to whore themselves around any club that would listen, the same McDonald who only signed for us when no other clubs would take the risk and pay him more than we would. And he still jumped ship at the first opportunity to a club everyone knows is loaded. He may be a very good player but like Paddy Kenny and others of their ilk they show no gratitude or loyalty to a club that did everything it could for them, the only thing they will ever get from me is contempt.

In other words, McDonald is a c.nt, as is Williamson..couldn`t have put it better myself.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

No issues with us booing McDonald. He does not play for us anymore and decided to leave us. I don't feel sorry for him. You take the money and move o then you expect some stick when you come back. He is fair game in that regard. As is everyone else who moves on from a club whether it be SUFC or another.

As I have said elsewhere he got more money and a better, more ambitious side that will go up. He won on all counts. Doubt he is that bothered with a few boos.

Yes it is disappointing we rescued his career to some degree but then he was the one who went out and gave the performances to earn such a move. Yes there is no loyalty in football and it is sad players move on for money etc but that is football. You could say Baxter did same when he left Oldham, ditto for Scougall.

As others have said be nice if chanting generally was more about our own side, not anti opposition or anti Wednesday but that is same with many clubs. We are not unique.

Off topic I know but the greedy bastard chants from Oldham fans nr Christmas, were at Porter while Baxter got away with it..and stuffed a cracker past them too.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

It is not always about who is bigger or perceived as bigger; it is simply who offers more money and who are better placed to move up - Wolves thus won out in both cases.

As an aside if you look at history you could make a compelling argument that Wolves are a bigger club as much as it may grate those with red and white allegiances. They have spent most of their history in the top flight till the 80's (we have generally fluctuated between top and second tier). Even since then (their worst spell in history) they have had as many seasons as us in the top division. They have won more trophies in all competions and if you look at the average crowds over the history (if you take away spell in 80's - which was poor for us today) have consistently had large crowds (much higher average total than us). Since 1994 they have only had one season with just less than 20,000 average crowd (and most mid 20's upwards) which shows what a well supported side they are.

http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm

I'd say we were similar in terms of crowds - certainly in recent times. I can't be bothered to check the stats but I'm sure there have been a few seasons recently when we have averaged more when in a similar league position. When was the last time they averaged over 30,000? They are averaging under 20k this season despite being top. Both are "big" clubs at this level.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Wednesday's view on our 125th celebrations.

Did you write that?

 

[itsinyerblood]

Wednesday's view on our 125th celebrations.

There's obsessive, then there's this.

I wonder what universe some fans exist in? It makes the Viet Cong look like converts to Baden Powell.

Of course, no mention of the tawdry history that surrounds their shit hole of an allotment.....oh, by the way, who actually has ownership rights to the sty?

 

[United Aren't Back.]

It is not always about who is bigger or perceived as bigger; it is simply who offers more money and who are better placed to move up - Wolves thus won out in both cases.

As an aside if you look at history you could make a compelling argument that Wolves are a bigger club as much as it may grate those with red and white allegiances. They have spent most of their history in the top flight till the 80's (we have generally fluctuated between top and second tier). Even since then (their worst spell in history) they have had as many seasons as us in the top division. They have won more trophies in all competions and if you look at the average crowds over the history (if you take away spell in 80's - which was poor for us today) have consistently had large crowds (much higher average total than us). Since 1994 they have only had one season with just less than 20,000 average crowd (and most mid 20's upwards) which shows what a well supported side they are.

http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm

But McDonald is a typical mercenary who left for the money. Mind you, genuine Utd stars eg Brian Deane, took the piss twice by being sold purely for the money.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Did you write that?

Yeah.

 

[oldblade]

It is not always about who is bigger or perceived as bigger; it is simply who offers more money and who are better placed to move up - Wolves thus won out in both cases.

As an aside if you look at history you could make a compelling argument that Wolves are a bigger club as much as it may grate those with red and white allegiances. They have spent most of their history in the top flight till the 80's (we have generally fluctuated between top and second tier). Even since then (their worst spell in history) they have had as many seasons as us in the top division. They have won more trophies in all competions and if you look at the average crowds over the history (if you take away spell in 80's - which was poor for us today) have consistently had large crowds (much higher average total than us). Since 1994 they have only had one season with just less than 20,000 average crowd (and most mid 20's upwards) which shows what a well supported side they are.

http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm

Looking at those attendance statistics, the thing that really stands out to me is that when Wolves hit their lowest ebb and fell into the fourth division, their support almost completely evaporated. They averaged just 4,020 in their third division relegation season and just 5,754 the following season. Even when promoted as fourth division champions they only averaged 9,855.

When we got relegated to the fourth division we averaged 12,772 and when promoted as fourth division champions we averaged 14,892. In fact, that season we did not get any home league attendance less than 11,200.

this suggests to me that their supporters may have been a little more of the fair weather variety than us.

Since the 1960s they have only averaged above 30,000 once (we have done it twice) even though they have been in the top flight for more seasons than us and have also won the league cup twice. And they have been below 10,000 four times to our once.

Given the 'compelling' argument (as you put it) that they are a bigger club, their attendances are really not that great when compared to our's.

 

[kozluk]

I have never seen wolves as a bigger club than us, to be honest, I think were both very similar in size. The same applies to our neighbours.

Wolves are certainly more successful than us, but trophies won doesn't necessarily show potential, I think we have a lot better potential than a team such as wolves if everything goes for us. Wolves have had a great history, as have we.

If being in a higher division shows a size of a club, are Barnsley Yeovil Bournemouth bigger than the blades? And looking into the premiership, are Cardiff and Swansea?

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I have never seen wolves as a bigger club than us, to be honest, I think were both very similar in size. The same applies to our neighbours.

Wolves are certainly more successful than us, but trophies won doesn't necessarily show potential, I think we have a lot better potential than a team such as wolves if everything goes for us. Wolves have had a great history, as have we.

If being in a higher division shows a size of a club, are Barnsley Yeovil Bournemouth bigger than the blades? And looking into the premiership, are Cardiff and Swansea?

Ask a player if they'd rather play for us, Cardiff or Swansea and they'd laugh at you.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Ask a player if they'd rather play for us, Cardiff or Swansea and they'd laugh at you.

That isn't the point he's making. He's suggesting they are not bigger clubs than us just because they are currently in a higher division. And he's right. They currently have better and more successful teams than us though, obviously....which is why they can attract better players.

 

[kozluk]

Ask a player if they'd rather play for us, Cardiff or Swansea and they'd laugh at you.

I agree atm their is no comparison. But were not talking about who is the most successful club at the current time. Obviously they would go to the prem. not only for the challenge but for the money.

The real question is, if we were in the same division, could offer the same pay etc...who would they go to?

 

[diplomat]

Maybe McD thought of Weir the same way as Mitch Ward does?

Can you elaborate on Ward's comments please? I've not heard them.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Charles Green forced Carl Tiler and Mitch Ward to move to Everton. Not saying they didnt want to go to Everton, both werent looking to leave us. Ward had just moved to a new house in Troway and was told by Green that he was going to Everton. Ward was still upset about Dane's injury in the previous day and after Green's bombshell, he rang Carl Tiler and Carl was as shocked as Ward was. Carl's father , Ken, who played for Chesterfield and Millers in the 1970s wrote a letter to the Green Un saying that Carl never asked for a move from the Lane

Point I was making tried to refer to what Ward said about Weir at the forum I.e. He shouldn't have had the job because of his lack of being a team player.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Ask a player if they'd rather play for us, Cardiff or Swansea and they'd laugh at you.

Never miss an opportunity to put the boot in and I thought I was a grumpy twat

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Never miss an opportunity to put the boot in and I thought I was a grumpy twat

Put the boot into who?

No good going around telling everybody about how big we are when we're marooned in the third tier.

Cardiff and Swansea deserve a bit more respect than that.

 

[kozluk]

Put the boot into who?

No good going around telling everybody about how big we are when we're marooned in the third tier.

Cardiff and Swansea deserve a bit more respect than that.

I think you miss understood me. People were saying wolvers were bigger than the blades just because of recent history and attendances (and maybe their right)

I was just stating those stats mean absolutely nothing, for example, if a multi billionaire bought Halifax town and took them to the premiership, would you still be saying their bigger and more attractive than the blades?

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I was just stating those stats mean absolutely nothing, for example, if a multi billionaire bought Halifax town and took them to the premiership, would you still be saying their bigger and more attractive than the blades?

Well, it would make them more attractive than us but not necessarily bigger.

I suppose it all depends on your definition of 'bigger'.

I'd say Wolves were bigger than us beacuase they've won more league titles, played in Europe and have had more seasons in the top flight than us.

I'd struggle to construct an argument for why we're bigger than Wolves.

 

[kozluk]

.

Well, it would make them more attractive than us but not necessarily bigger.

I suppose it all depends on your definition of 'bigger'.

I'd say Wolves were bigger than us beacuase they've won more league titles, played in Europe and have had more seasons in the top flight than us.

I'd struggle to construct an argument for why we're bigger than Wolves.

Your right, it is down to personal opinions, and I did state in my post we were similar is size to wolves, and that wolves are a far more successful team historically.
Another example would be are Bradford more attractive than us? were in the same division, both feel we should be in the prem or close to the play offs, and Bradford qualified for Europe not so long ago.

I was just thinking out load with my post about the size of clubs, but I really do believe the blades have more potential than wolves Cardiff and Swansea, in my opinion, that makes us bigger...a sleeping giant so to speak.

I don't want to argue over such a petty topic like mine is bigger than yours, I was just putting my 2 cents into the jar. I would like to say its been a pleasure joining this forum as we can debate without having to resort to name calling etc, I think I will enjoy it here.

 

[metalblade]

The thing is with Wolves their league titles and some cup final appearances all came in a purple patch between 1949 to 1960 under the famous Stan Cullis, no doubt about it they were the team to beat in the 50's otherwise reaching the UEFA cup final in 72 and two League cup wins in 74 & 80 apart their record is not much better than ours. This is a club which has has a hell of a lot of cash thrown at it after 1980 .......... bailed out by the local council to save them from liquidation after building a new stand and then Jack Haywood ploughed millions in to re build the stadium and the team.
Bigger than we are ? I don't think so, just the Sheff Wendy of the Black country.

 

[JohnDenver]

Point I was making tried to refer to what Ward said about Weir at the forum I.e. He shouldn't have had the job because of his lack of being a team player.

He said Weir wasn't "one of the lads" in the dressing room. To my mind that could be a good sign for future manager (independent), or a bad thing (aloof). If he wasn't a team player on the pitch I'd suggest he wouldn't have had such a good career.

Either way, we don't need Mitch Ward's 20/20 hindsight to tell us Weir couldn't manage a major football club.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

He said Weir wasn't "one of the lads" in the dressing room. To my mind that could be a good sign for future manager (independent), or a bad thing (aloof). If he wasn't a team player on the pitch I'd suggest he wouldn't have had such a good career.

Either way, we don't need Mitch Ward's 20/20 hindsight to tell us Weir couldn't manage a major football club.

To my mind it is nothing short of a total fucking disaster.

 

[JohnDenver]

To my mind it is nothing short of a total fucking disaster.

I concede the evidence in this case isn't on my side…..

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

Well, it would make them more attractive than us but not necessarily bigger.

I suppose it all depends on your definition of 'bigger'.

I'd say Wolves were bigger than us beacuase they've won more league titles, played in Europe and have had more seasons in the top flight than us.

I'd struggle to construct an argument for why we're bigger than Wolves.

Interesting question on how to define "bigger". It's a commonly used term by football fans, but never really defined.

I tend to think of it as being the size of crowd a team will attract all other things being equal. i.e. Given the same league position, run of results, weather, opposition etc etc, what will be a team's home crowd?

On this basis, my observations suggest we are 'bigger' than Wolves or any of the West Midlands sides apart from Villa, and bigger than Cardiff, Swansea, Leicester or Derby.

We are smaller than Leeds, Wednesday and Sunderland for example.

I reckon if the league table were arranged on this basis of 'size' then we'd be in the lower reaches of the Premier League. It is interesting that our average league position in modern times is nowhere near that high.

 

[oldblade]

Well, it would make them more attractive than us but not necessarily bigger.

I suppose it all depends on your definition of 'bigger'.

I'd say Wolves were bigger than us beacuase they've won more league titles, played in Europe and have had more seasons in the top flight than us.

I'd struggle to construct an argument for why we're bigger than Wolves.

They have played more seasons in the bottom flight than us and have had an average attendances as low as 4,020 in the not too distant past. That is a figure we have never been anywhere near.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

Returning to the original point of the thread, plenty of returning players have had at least mixed, and in some cases downright hostile, receptions. In the "mixed" category would be TC, Deano and Birchenall. Paddy Kenny would be the most hostile I've heard and Mick Jones the friendliest. I also remember for some reason a very warm reception being afforded to Paul Beesley.

 

[grafikhaus]

I do not consider Wolverhampton Wanderers a bigger club than we are, just richer at the moment.

And, according to the Wolves fans, 'Sheffield's a shithole...I wanna go home.'

Supreme irony. It's no wonder it's called the 'Black Country'.

 

[Darthblade]

yes, another disappointment, I hate to see blades leave early, but it happens every home game. I just don't understand those "fans" if indeed that's what they must be called

I usually stay till the end regardless of the result but I left with 4 mins to go because I couldn't bear to see one more incompetent decision from that "referee" without loosing off a tirade of vitriolic abuse and getting into trouble !!!
So that puts me into your "generic" category ........
UTB & FTP