Sheffield merger

[Addison]

This reads to me as two separate things - that COH made an initial call (potentially out of curiosity regarding price, as others have alluded to) and that one of the many interested parties was interested merging the clubs. I'm not sure it's nailed on that the latter was COH.

Either way, COH should release a statement about it before the story gains too much negative traction. We've just stuffed the pigs at their gaff and we're on a bit of a high, the likes of which we haven't seen this season because it's been so poor. We don't need this bollocks.

If anything it'll be nice to hear from them, won't it.

They've responded in part

Message from the co-chairmen

The place to get all your Sheffield United news on the first team, academy and Sheffield United Women. Download the app via the App Store and Google Play Store

www.sufc.co.uk

 

[Dkc]

FLW have even mocked up a new crest for clicks and giggles.

 

[Keen Blade]

A fully merged club is an anathema to most fans on both sides.
But selling both antiquated grounds to produce a 21st century stadium for "ground-sharing" surely makes sense.
Immediately reducing the running costs of both clubs
But more importantly
The only avenue available to drag both out of the doldrums and put Sheffield on the football map again.
If it was good enough for Milan ...

But then again , you're battling with the backward "let's not try owt new" mentality , endemic in Sheffield.

 

[Chunkey]

The poll is hard to answer without knowing the intended details. There’s not much that is worthwhile ‘taking’ from Wednesday, so a merger would just be us having to inherit their fanbase, of which a decent proportion appear to be incredibly stupid.

At least they could supply a completely fictional/made up back storey, to create a 'faux' history for this new club, one that would become fact after a few decades.

 

[TJB.]

They've responded in part

Message from the co-chairmen

The place to get all your Sheffield United news on the first team, academy and Sheffield United Women. Download the app via the App Store and Google Play Store

www.sufc.co.uk

Not quite a statement about the story, though.

Having read it, it's not really a statement about anything at all

 

[Snowflake]

Not quite a statement about the story, though.

Having read it, it's not really a statement about anything at all

It is a statement as many were requesting. How genuine is for each of us to assess.

 

[Addison]

Not quite a statement about the story, though.

Having read it, it's not really a statement about anything at all

Agree their response would seem to be a reaction to the story but fails to address the critical question. Did you or didnt you? As a minimum it highlights the narrative about the Derby win and dumbs down our S6 neighbours clutching at straws assertion that our owners actions have taken the gloss off our historic victory.

 

[Bladesman]

FLW have even mocked up a new crest for clicks and giggles.

View attachment 226250

An owl being poked in the arse with a sword.

 

[Wards]

A fully merged club is an anathema to most fans on both sides.
But selling both antiquated grounds to produce a 21st century stadium for "ground-sharing" surely makes sense.
Immediately reducing the running costs of both clubs
But more importantly
The only avenue available to drag both out of the doldrums and put Sheffield on the football map again.
If it was good enough for Milan ...

But then again , you're battling with the backward "let's not try owt new" mentality , endemic in Sheffield.

I said the same in SB last night. Most will dismiss it out of hand but it will make sense one day. I stress the 'one day' element because it probably makes little sense for us as things stand. It needs both clubs to be on something of an equal footing I'd think.

 

[Sheffsteel]

A fully merged club is an anathema to most fans on both sides.
But selling both antiquated grounds to produce a 21st century stadium for "ground-sharing" surely makes sense.
Immediately reducing the running costs of both clubs
But more importantly
The only avenue available to drag both out of the doldrums and put Sheffield on the football map again.
If it was good enough for Milan ...

But then again , you're battling with the backward "let's not try owt new" mentality , endemic in Sheffield.

Agree…..Sheffielders absolutely hate change and new fangled ambitious ideas.

Would love it…..just out of interest. This is made up fantasy but imagine
if a consortium of American billionaires approached both Sheffield clubs with intentions to merge to form a super club.

However they agreed that it probably won’t be accepted …..so explained they plan to arrange an official on-line vote amongst all SU and SW season tickets holders.

A few weeks before the vote they release a 15 minute presentation video.

The video states they intend to sell off both grounds and buy the Sheffield Arena and surrounding land/ car park space.
They then plan to build a 65,000 capacity stadium on the Sheffield Arena site and buy land for large car park spaces around Attercliffe
And intend to work with the council to have regularly continuous super tram links from town on match days. They also design the stadium to bring plenty of non football related income all year round by regularly hosting concerts, banqueting and conference events.

They make it clear that they are ultra ambitious and are determined to have a team regularly competing in Europe and challenging for honours.
They plan to promote the history of Sheffield as the home of football by buiding a large museum (which would become a tourist attraction) at the stadium site close to the tram stop and they even say they can promote Sheffield’s status by calling the new stadium the “The Home of Football stadium”. They might even try to buy Sheffield FC and use their name claiming the new super club club is the oldest in the world. Who knows? Where there’s a will there’s a way.

If an extremely exciting plan that would create shockwaves and massive publicity in the football world was a possibility.

Then what percentage of season tickets holders would say “nah….not having that”.
Suspect it would be 75%…..so would be rejected.

 

[Roygbiv]

Business wise it makes complete sense and whoever takes over Wednesday will think the same. It's two big clubs with large fanbases who have achieved next to nothing for 100 years. It's totally understandable why someone from the outside would think a merger would lead to more success than keeping us apart as separate clubs.

The only way it would happen though is if the Super League happens and both clubs eventually become semi professional. I don't think it will ever happen but it's not completely out of the realms of possibility that in 50 years, the foreign owners of both clubs come together to create a new club. So much has happened in the game since the start of The Premier League they I wouldn't rule anything out

 

[HarryHaslam]

It was a sad day back in the 1860s when SU cricket club directors fell out with The Wednesday football club which resulted in Wendy leaving BL and going to play at Olive Grove Road initially.

Sorry for being pedantic but they never left BL, all they did was stop renting it out for the big games as the rent was put up in 1887 and was too steep for them. But during this time when they did rent BL for the bigger games their official home ground was Sheaf House and Hunters Bar so they never actually left BL as it was never their ground.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Sorry for being pedantic but they never left BL, all they did was stop renting it out for the big games as the rent was put up in 1887 and was too steep for them. But during this time when they did rent BL for the bigger games their official home ground was Sheaf House and Hunters Bar so they never actually left BL as it was never their ground.

Agree….The Wednesday only used Bramall Lane (which was mainly a cricket ground) for odd games when they expected a big attendance.

The owners of Bramall Lane saw the potential growth of football as a Winter sport so approached The Wednesday asking them to be permanent occupiers
and they refused due to the rental costs being too high.

So the owners of Bramall Lane had little choice but to form a new football club….with the sole intention of playing at Bramall Lane.
At the time there were over 50 other clubs in the Sheffield area…sominvitations were sent out inviting trials to play for Sheffield United FC.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

I am 77 years old. I first went to BL when I was 5. Our family are 5 generations of Blades. In my lifetime United have won no major trophy. I really dislike Wendy and find the derby games nerve wracking. Last Sunday was fab though.
I want to us to have 60000 fans and be one of the big boys in the PL and Champions L. I am sick of mediocrity .
I would support a merged Sheffield club playing in a new stadium in red white and blue stripes.
At my age I don’t suppose I would see it .Sheffield is a big football city but has two mediocre teams. It was a sad day back in the 1860s when SU cricket club directors fell out with The Wednesday football club which resulted in Wendy leaving BL and going to play at Olive Grove Road initially.
I know the merger won’t happen but if it did and had a very rich owner, then with success everyone would come around to it. As it is though we will continue along with Wendy to win sod all for the next 100 years.
Tin hat on now.

If you want to watch a successful club in a sterile atmosphere you can simply get a train to Manchester or London.

 

[joe casey]

Agree…..Sheffielders absolutely hate change and new fangled ambitious ideas.

Would love it…..just out of interest. This is made up fantasy but imagine
if a consortium of American billionaires approached both Sheffield clubs with intentions to merge to form a super club.

However they agreed that it probably won’t be accepted …..so explained they plan to arrange an official on-line vote amongst all SU and SW season tickets holders.

A few weeks before the vote they release a 15 minute presentation video.

The video states they intend to sell off both grounds and buy the Sheffield Arena and surrounding land/ car park space.
They then plan to build a 65,000 capacity stadium on the Sheffield Arena site and buy land for large car park spaces around Attercliffe
And intend to work with the council to have regularly continuous super tram links from town on match days. They also design the stadium to bring plenty of non football related income all year round by regularly hosting concerts, banqueting and conference events.

They make it clear that they are ultra ambitious and are determined to have a team regularly competing in Europe and challenging for honours.
They plan to promote the history of Sheffield as the home of football by buiding a large museum (which would become a tourist attraction) at the stadium site close to the tram stop and they even say they can promote Sheffield’s status by calling the new stadium the “The Home of Football stadium”. They might even try to buy Sheffield FC and use their name claiming the new super club club is the oldest in the world. Who knows? Where there’s a will there’s a way.

If an extremely exciting plan that would create shockwaves and massive publicity in the football world was a possibility.

Then what percentage of season tickets holders would say “nah….not having that”.
Suspect it would be 75%…..so would be rejected.

I don't know quite why - and I understand the business reasons why all of the above would make sense - but part of the reason I love Sheffield united is because for the most part, we are quite shit.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

They wouldn't be allowed to purchase them due to a conflict of interest in already owning us, regardless of possible future plans to merge. It's a non-starter in terms of passing the EFL criteria.

Don't worry. No conflict.
The plan is to register the pigs for the massive potential of the North Africa Super League. 500 million potential fans.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I don't know quite why - and I understand the business reasons why all of the above would make sense - but part of the reason I love Sheffield united is because for the most part, we are quite shit.

Made me laugh that because it’s true.

I’m the same…I’d still support us and regularly attend matches even if we were in league 2. If we ever become like Man City it would be weird, it wouldn’t be Sheff Utd.

However as I’ve grown older altho I’m a Unitedite I’m also a proud Sheffielder and become aware of Sheffield’s standing in the media and football world.

I’ve seen how Sheffield has dwindled and is disrespected as mediocre with no meaningful future.

So part of me would love to see Sheffield back on the football map and be recognised as a major player. Also think it’s criminal how the media refer to Wembley as the home of football and how the FA cup was the worlds 1st cup competition when the worlds 1st leagues and cup competitions started on Sheffied. A deligate from Sheffield went down to London to help and encourage the FA to start the FA cup. Sheffield has the 1st paying customers in the world charging fans an admission price in the Cromwell Cup.

The media talk about Leeds United being a historical club with a huge fanbase but it’s no comparison to Sheffield.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Now if there was to be a "merger" it would mean the teams uniting. Therefore the team would need to be called Sheffield United.

The stadium at which they played should be near the city's transport hubs. Therefore the team would need to play at Bramall Lane.

 

[CrookesBlade]

In fairness my boss makes me get quotes for software that we have no prospect or intention of buying all the time.

Think we all know COH are in it to flip their investment. They will be constantly monitoring market value etc incase an interested party pops up or they need an exit strategy.

I’d seriously doubt they have the cash and the long term interest to follow through on a merged club and everything that would involve.

 

[ancientblade]

just had a peak on porktalk regarding this topic usual deluded attitude from em saying coh have realised theyve bought the wrong club and are ditching us for them when in reality i think theyve just inquired about the price to merge the 2 clubs know this wont happen but its the american sports owners way of thinking imo

 

[Sheffsteel]

I’d seriously doubt they have the cash and the long term interest to follow through on a merged club and everything that would involve.

Agree…however as a consortium they’d be much more attractive for potential investors.

Regards attracting potential investment currently they’d be able to say
“Do you fancy investing in a club capable of 35K average crowds, big enough to compete/ stay in the Premier league”.

This is very different to a merged club where they could say
‘Do you fancy investing in a club capable of 70K average gates, big enough to challenge for major honours and regularly compete in Europe”

Doesn’t always work out that way, look at Leeds United struggling. However a merged club would be incredibly attractive to foreign investors.
Also I agree with Deadbat….dont think there’s anyway this can happen over the next 10 years but football is changing and we’re not sure where it’s heading.

With all these US owners and talk of a super league….can imagine the top flight being like the NFL with only massive clubs allowed and no relegations.
So both Sheffield clubs will have a choice…….slowly dwindle or merge forming (on paper) a super team worthy of being in an elite league.
So I wouldn’t be surprised if in about 20 to 30 years…..both clubs do merge.

 

[Snowflake]

Agree…..Sheffielders absolutely hate change and new fangled ambitious ideas.

Would love it…..just out of interest. This is made up fantasy but imagine
if a consortium of American billionaires approached both Sheffield clubs with intentions to merge to form a super club.

However they agreed that it probably won’t be accepted …..so explained they plan to arrange an official on-line vote amongst all SU and SW season tickets holders.

A few weeks before the vote they release a 15 minute presentation video.

The video states they intend to sell off both grounds and buy the Sheffield Arena and surrounding land/ car park space.
They then plan to build a 65,000 capacity stadium on the Sheffield Arena site and buy land for large car park spaces around Attercliffe
And intend to work with the council to have regularly continuous super tram links from town on match days. They also design the stadium to bring plenty of non football related income all year round by regularly hosting concerts, banqueting and conference events.

They make it clear that they are ultra ambitious and are determined to have a team regularly competing in Europe and challenging for honours.
They plan to promote the history of Sheffield as the home of football by buiding a large museum (which would become a tourist attraction) at the stadium site close to the tram stop and they even say they can promote Sheffield’s status by calling the new stadium the “The Home of Football stadium”. They might even try to buy Sheffield FC and use their name claiming the new super club club is the oldest in the world. Who knows? Where there’s a will there’s a way.

If an extremely exciting plan that would create shockwaves and massive publicity in the football world was a possibility.

Then what percentage of season tickets holders would say “nah….not having that”.
Suspect it would be 75%…..so would be rejected.

Are season tickets for this concept on sale yet?

 

[Sean Thornton]

At least they could supply a completely fictional/made up back storey, to create a 'faux' history for this new club, one that would become fact after a few decades.

2032

Young boy on Grandads knee

45000 at Bramall Lane Grandad, we beat Arsenal 3-0 to go 5 points clear at the top of the Begbies Traynor Premier League

Piggy Grandad

45000? Is that all? When we were in administration, we dreamed of a 62000 capacity stadium, full every week and Champions League football.


Child

Gosh Granddad, did that really happen? Was that before United bought you out?


Piggy Granddad

Has coughing fit


Blade Nan Nan

Whoputtheballinthewednesdaynet, leave Granddad alone, your fish fingers are ready…….

 

[LBA_Blade]

Everyone knows that this 1) Can't happen due to EFL rules and 2) Won't happen, if anything "an enquiry" could be as simple as if the club goes bust, can we buy the plot of land for development. If this was a serious deal, you would have to think about where if we were taking the example of "Sheffield City" to play stadium wise. Although Hillsborough is the larger ground, it doesn't have much room for expansion and currently is only just larger and it does need maintenance. Bramall Lane on the other hand although great location it would need a lot of work if we are looking at a 50-60,000 stadium even if that is possible is another question.

One option is a new location, just a quick Google search brings up for sale, Hesley Lodge Farm, granted the new club would need planning permission, on the 51.57 Acre farm however this site located near S61 2SF is near Junction 35 of the M1 not far from the Leeds to Sheffield train tracks. In theory transport infrastructure such as creating a Junction 35A for the stadium and a train station could be in the plan. For reference Old Trafford is under 10 acres and the Etihad Campus with the 2 stadiums and training pitches is 80 acres. As mentioned in the post, we aren't sure where football is going as a sport as the rich get richer (does that include the inflation on season tickets over the year?) and the poor gets left behind in this case or go bust. But a Brownfield type of development might be the best way forward, the larger pink box holding the stadium and parking and facilities etc with the smaller holding an academy/women's stadium and potential for 1st team training pitches. But for obvious reasons, the above "one option" isn't going to happen but enjoyed looking around Rightmove.

 

[Keen Blade]

Agree…..Sheffielders absolutely hate change and new fangled ambitious ideas.

Would love it…..just out of interest. This is made up fantasy but imagine
if a consortium of American billionaires approached both Sheffield clubs with intentions to merge to form a super club.

However they agreed that it probably won’t be accepted …..so explained they plan to arrange an official on-line vote amongst all SU and SW season tickets holders.

A few weeks before the vote they release a 15 minute presentation video.

The video states they intend to sell off both grounds and buy the Sheffield Arena and surrounding land/ car park space.
They then plan to build a 65,000 capacity stadium on the Sheffield Arena site and buy land for large car park spaces around Attercliffe
And intend to work with the council to have regularly continuous super tram links from town on match days. They also design the stadium to bring plenty of non football related income all year round by regularly hosting concerts, banqueting and conference events.

They make it clear that they are ultra ambitious and are determined to have a team regularly competing in Europe and challenging for honours.
They plan to promote the history of Sheffield as the home of football by buiding a large museum (which would become a tourist attraction) at the stadium site close to the tram stop and they even say they can promote Sheffield’s status by calling the new stadium the “The Home of Football stadium”. They might even try to buy Sheffield FC and use their name claiming the new super club club is the oldest in the world. Who knows? Where there’s a will there’s a way.

If an extremely exciting plan that would create shockwaves and massive publicity in the football world was a possibility.

Then what percentage of season tickets holders would say “nah….not having that”.
Suspect it would be 75%…..so would be rejected.

Nail on head.
An absolutely earth-shattering but incredibly positive proposal not just for football fans but the entire City itself.
Putting the combination of football history and Sheffield's major part in its origins & development on the world map.
But obviously it doesn't stand a chance in our sleepy football hollow.
That kind of enterprise is for other bolder progressive places.

And don't run away with the idea that I don't love the Blades & the Lane.
I've been going to the Lane since I was 10 , in 1968.
I've probably spent more hours in my beloved ground than many others , because from age13 to my early 20s , I worked on the catering side.
I started as a "tray-lad" and ended up coming in hours before the game to set up the buffets & bars in all the stands.
The sheer thrill of roaming around my ground never left me.
In '74 , when they were building the SS , I was lucky enough to be invited up onto the roof by a gang of Welsh steel-erectors , which I will never forget.
I absolutely love the Lane.
Wherever I've lived in the UK , I've travelled for home matches my entire life - indeed , the Lane is part of the fabric of my life.

But after almost 60 years of joy & tears , the club has never managed to establish itself where its history & loyal support would believe appropriate.

And with the financial aspect coming so much to the fore , that prospect is getting more , not less , remote - based on our 2 failures in '21 & '24 to stay up.

So it's time to shit or get off the pot.

What do you really want for your City and for your club ?

A continuation of unrealistic pretensions of success at the Lane (or indeed Swillsborough) for the rest of your natural life.

Or being part of something bold in order to make a difference to your prospects.

In short , despite the deep attachment , time waits for no man and if you're trying to stand still , you're actually going backwards.

On balance - and it's a very fine balance - I back the concept of a merger.
Though I suspect the majority do not.

That said , a ground-share is the only way either club is going to move into a 21st century stadium with all the benefits that would bring.
At the very least , a ground-share is economically irresistible , let alone all the other advantages , too many to ventilate here.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

i posted this in August

"Nightmare season. Both Sheffield clubs relegated. The Government, fearing another brick out of the red wall, steps in and takes over both clubs merging them as Sheffield City and selling all players with a value over £1m, together with Bramall Lane to go towards paying for pensioners winter fuel payments. Training grounds sold and training (and youth matches) transferred to Concord Park to symbolise the new unity. New club shirt is red and blue stripes available from Sports Direct. Poundstretchers announced as shirt sponsors with a picture of Derek Dooley as the club badge. Matches will be played at the rustbucket (North stand demolished to make way for a premium priced car park - saxon remains are found during demolition and declared a site of architectural interest by Sheffield City Council and taken out of use whilst excavations proceed.). Fearing trouble the FA stipulates former blades and owls fans must be segregated in the remaining stands. South Yorkshire's finest double policing costs to generate overtime money. Terry Curran appointed club ambassador. Danny Wilson brought out of retirement as manager with Chris Basham and Barry Bunion named as his assistants. The club announces no matches will be played on a Wednesday and no press statements will include the phrase "the players are united". The club inherits all debts and embargoes from parent clubs and embraces a new youth only policy as it looks forward to lucrative local derbies with Sheffield FC and the merger of the men's and women's squads.

Otherwise a season of mediocracy characterised by frequent defensive mistakes and an inability to hit a barn door with a banjo let alone a cannon."

 

[Sheffsteel]

On balance - and it's a very fine balance - I back the concept of a merger.
Though I suspect the majority do not.

That said , a ground-share is the only way either club is going to move into a 21st century stadium with all the benefits that would bring.
At the very least , a ground-share is economically irresistible , let alone all the other advantages , too many to ventilate here.

Good point….a watered down alternative to a merger is a ground share and I think that’s a strong possibility.

The new owners at SWFC will realise that Hillsboro isn’t fit for purpose and needs loads of money spending on it just to bring it into the new century.
However there’s not enough parking for a 30K crowd at Hillsboro and the traffic is horrendous, so they’ve no chance coping with a 40K crowd.

The logical option is to move and build a new stadium…..it’s at that point they may well approach United to enquire about a ground share deal.
Again an instant auto reflex reaction is “we can’t leave Bramall Lane” and “we can’t leave Hillsborough”.
However both grounds (especially Hillsboro) aren’t modern enough. Bramall Lane is OK for now but the Kop is a disgrace.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Good point….a watered down alternative to a merger is a ground share and I think that’s a strong possibility.

The new owners at SWFC will realise that Hillsboro isn’t fit for purpose and needs loads of money spending on it just to bring it into the new century.
However there’s not enough parking for a 30K crowd at Hillsboro and the traffic is horrendous, so they’ve no chance coping with a 40K crowd.

The logical option is to move and build a new stadium…..it’s at that point they may well approach United to enquire about a ground share deal.
Again an instant auto reflex reaction is “we can’t leave Bramall Lane” and “we can’t leave Hillsborough”.
However both grounds (especially Hillsboro) aren’t modern enough. Bramall Lane is OK for now but the Kop is a disgrace.

The folks standing on it are mighty fine though.

 

[Working Class Hero]

I think it's always been obvious that the two clubs merging would bring more success, we all know that.

By extension, it also makes "good business sense", although I'm not sure how that's a good thing for us as fans. It means a foreign owner gets more money and the players get more money, while we pay more money.

All of that's irrelevant though. A merged club for the City of Sheffield means Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United no longer exist, and the vast majority of fans would never want that. It goes against everything that English football is about as well, tradition and history. Imagine how much we'd all hate a new club popping up out of any other city (see MK Dons).

 

[Silent Blade]

If the merger goes ahead then you could get hugged by Mark Moorhouse if the merged club score!