Why do you support Sheffield United?

[ben1987]

Born a blade.

My dad is a blade and came from a blades supporting family.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

My late and much missed elder brother started to go to the Lane in the early 70s as United were the closest (old) first division side to where we lived. He took me along to my first match when I was 13 and now I consider it my spiritual homeland!

 

[ancientblade]

brought up in s5 all my mums side were blades but my dads side were wednesday but my dad sided with mum and took me to the lane first game charlton athletic 1959 suprising thing in the 60s and 70s was how many blades lived at shirecliffe southey and parsons cross probably not so many in this day and age

 

[Brynner]

I was born in Wendy country at Shiregreen, but my Dad (from Meersbrook) thankfully was a Blade. Moved to Gleadless when I was 6 and my Dad took me to the Lane for the first time '59/60 season (v Rotherham). Been a Blade ever since and season ticket holder from '68 up to today.
Never seen us win any major trophies and gave up on that many years ago. But hey ho, once a Blade always a Blade .

 

[Kendal]

Family. Grandma was born and grew up on Bramall Lane, mum & dad got married in Ebeneezer chapel. Dad was born at the bottom end of Bramall Lane, where the DIY shop is. more cricket than football, but spent a lot of time watching both at the lane. I was 8 when we moved back to Sheffield, when we were in the 4th division. Got to enjoy the crowd noise under Harry Bassett as I worked at the chemist on Alderson road on Saturdays. Been a part-timer ever since. I mostly get to away games in the NW now.
Growing up in the 80s, there was a lot of peer pressure to defect to that lot.

And still can't remember how to spell Bramall Lane had to double check to avoid embarrassment

 

[Maurice Maurice]

My dad took me to Pigs vs Burnley in August 1967. The sun was shining, it was a lovely warm day and they won two one. Fast forward to November of that year and he took me to Blades vs Leicester. I got piss wet through outside the Cricketers when he went for a pint, it pissed it down all day, it was cold and we sat on the old John Street stand bang in front of the speakers and ended up nearly deaf it was that loud. We drew nowt nowt in a dour game and got relegated that season.

Blade or Pig??? Come on, no fucking contest. I loved the rough and ready mob who followed us, I loved the three sided ground and from walking up the steps and seeing the pitch, smelling the smells and hearing the kop it was in my blood. Has been ever since and always will be.

UTBFTP

 

[Grey Blade]

When I came to Sheffield as a student in Oct 71, one of the first people I met in my hall of residence was a Blade and his room was next to a Wed fan - both of whom became good friends and I used to go to both Bramall Lane and Hillsboro when I wasn't otherwise occupied. 56 years later, I still go to United games with the friend from Uni days.

The twist to this tale is that I came to Sheffield as a Leeds fan. Having been brought up around Harrogate it was a choice of Leeds, Bradford City, Bradford Park Ave or York City. I continued watching Leeds with odd games at Bramall Lane after I finished at Uni. There was one midweek match when the Leeds fans took over the Kop and I was actually hit by missile (drinks can) thrown by the leeds fans! The only time I've ever been hit by anything at football.

I moved away in 1979 and lived in Orkney until 1986. I went to the first game of the 86/87 season at Elland Road and couldn't believe how hostile the Elland Road crowd were and I never went again (as a Leeds fan). I spent a few years seeing odd matches whilst being preoccupied with setting up my business, but when Dave Bassett took over, my friend from uni days told me how exciting the football was and encouraged me to go to games. I never looked back and I've had a season ticket ever since

 

[dingledog]

I guess my Dad wanted me to know what unfulfilled ambition was really like and wanted to condemn me to a life of footballing misery. he took me to the Lane as a small kid and 67 years later I still go with the same outcome.

 

[dexter101]

Grew up a Man United fan, I have family from Lancashire but other than that, no idea why.

As i got older, lost interest and my first trip to see them live just left me cold.

Moved to Sheffield for Uni and fell in love with the city. I used to walk past Bramall lane every day to a friends halls and it just felt special.

First game was against Villa mid week on a student special ticket and I was hooked. I remember the game against watford at the end of the season as well, the atmosphere just felt special.

Since moving back down south, Its a constant link to what I consider my spiritual home. United sums up the city better than that other lot ever could.

My two girls are being brought up as Blades fans and every time one of them randomly shouts "Sheffield united" it doesn't half put a smile on my face.

(they don't actually know any proper songs yet so they literally just shout that)

 

[jimmymuir]

Was brought up supporting another similar sized club, so I didn’t exactly have Blades blood from birth.

I went to university in Sheffield and ended up at a game at Bramall Lane during freshers week – and that was pretty much that. Walking up the stairs to the Kop, hearing the Greasy Chip Butty song before kick-off. I've always been footy mad, but it opened my eyes to what football should be like.

I’ve never really been fussed about glory or winning trophies, so in a way Sheffield United was the right club for me all along! Felt more real, more honest than anything I’d experienced before.

Either that, or I’m mentally ill… still undecided.

 

[Silent Blade]

My dad took me to Pigs vs Burnley in August 1967. The sun was shining, it was a lovely warm day and they won two one. Fast forward to November of that year and he took me to Blades vs Leicester. I got piss wet through outside the Cricketers when he went for a pint, it pissed it down all day, it was cold and we sat on the old John Street stand bang in front of the speakers and ended up nearly deaf it was that loud. We drew nowt nowt in a dour game and got relegated that season.

Blade or Pig??? Come on, no fucking contest. I loved the rough and ready mob who followed us, I loved the three sided ground and from walking up the steps and seeing the pitch, smelling the smells and hearing the kop it was in my blood. Has been ever since and always will be.

UTBFTP

We played Burnley on a frosty day in December 1967

 

[JPBrods]

The real answer is very dull tbh: I am from Sheffield and specifically from the side of town that United is closer to. My parents weren't into football at all so I had a free hit but I chose United because it just felt right.

Also Wednesday had just been relegated from the Prem around this time and at school loads of em were getting stick. Couldn't be me.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

I got kicked in the head by a horse as a child.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

5th generation Blade, here.

My Dad, my Grandad, and my Great Grandad. Starting it all, my Great-great Grandad moved to Sheffield from High Wycombe.

My Great-great Grandad had driven a horse-led wagon up from Bucks, delivering beer to local pubs. Up here, he met my Great-great Grandma and our family started life in Sheffield, from Bucks. In that time, United were formed.

Had that not have happened, in an alternate timeline, I would've been a chair boy, logged on to Chairboys on the Net (that's not an adult site) as Ainsy_is_my_Dad or something equally abhorrent

Thank goodness for Dem Bleds.

 

[Surrey Blade]

We moved to Sheffield in the 60s. My dad was from Kent and, although the son of a vicar, he was very anti-establishment. At that time, Wednesday was very much the club supported by the majority of the city's grandees. His natural inclination, therefore, was to favour United. He took all his children to both grounds, but we were always going to end up as Blades. My first game was v Northampton during their one and only season in the top flight. The match ended 1-1.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I got kicked in the head by a horse as a child.

Makes me think of this...

 

[Bell4]

My dad was a Wednesday fanatic as were his three older brothers. My uncle on my mums side was a Blade , I went to watch Rotherham play Millwall (next door neighbour) in Aug 1970 , 0-0 - nah . My dad took me to Hillsboro the following Tuesday , won 2-1 v Cardiff - nah, didnt feel it . My Uncle Mick took me to BDTBL to watch us play Bristol City , Sept 1970 - 0-3 down finished 3-3 . That was it , felt the internal pull and knew what love really felt like .

Been cursed ever since

 

[Lens instep catch]

Champagne great question thanks for asking
I was actually being taken to Hillsborough by my Wendy supporting older brother luckily for me the match was postponed
Me and my school pal we were both aged nine at the time went to the Lane for a County Cup final v Wendy May 62
As soon as I got in the ground I was in awe my first match I absolutely loved it and still do 64 years later ,we won the game 3-2
Silent may be able to help here but I seem to recall a Wendy player getting carried off on a stretcher
Had to wait until August for the start of the 62/63 season, have been going ever since enjoyed the highs felt the lows but loved it
I still get the nervous tension in my stomach at the start of each season because you never know what you are going to get when you love and support the Blades

 

[coaxingstar71]

My mum and dad are pig fans and used to go regularly in the 60's. When they got relegated in 1970, my dad vowed he wouldn't go again and because he's a stubborn bastard, he was as good as his word. Growing up, I didn't even know they were pig fans and it was only when a certain game was on the radio on Boxing Day 1979 and he was going mental, that I had any idea. A few weeks later, a friend of the family asked if I wanted to go to see Blades v Hull, which was my first ever game aged 9 and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

[Farnboroughblade]

It’s a family thing. My grandad, a big Blade, was born in 1889 so there’s a connection there. Both my parents were Blades and they took me to my first match when I was a toddler. An evening kick off under the lights and I remember the feeling walking in from the top of the back of the kop and the atmosphere was electric and I remember that sight and feeling to this very day and will die with it.

 

[SLB]

How did you get here?

I don’t suppose anyone did it for glory hunting! Unless you’re over 100 years old!

For me, my Grandfather was a United fan. I still remember him having a Blades mug even when he was in his late 70s when he passed. He used to go regularly but stopped going when we dropped to the 4th. I think he was born around 1904/05 so he would have at least been around for at least a couple of cup wins.

My Dad is still watching us and is 88 now. He’s more of a TV viewer now and stopped going maybe a couple of years ago.

I went to my first game in the late to mid-80s. A rather drab 0-0 at home to Ipswich when Burridge was the goalie. My first proper memory was with Bassett as Manager and what fun times they were.

I then continued to follow them home and away as part of the London Blades including heading to Trinidad and Tobago to watch them under Warnock.

Despite Bryan Robson being responsible for my commitment waining and moving to Asia, I’ve still watched closely from afar and attended when I’m back. My daughter has taken up the mantle, proudly wears her kit and tells her classmates that Messi and Ronaldo are neither the GOAT as Billy Sharp is!

So fairly traditional at first for me though my daughter can claim slightly less conventional.

How about you?

Not from Sheffield and neither is anyone in my family. My dad supported United and I never really found out why. I've been a Blade since 1967 and went years only missing a handful of games a season while living 150 miles from the lane. Fucking masochist.

 

[jim2007]

Had no choice. Born into it.

Me too. Generations of Blades. That was that. You're a Blade.

 

[Darnall Siam Blade]

1947/8 season . Lived in Darnall and often heard 2 of my mates talking about the Blades as their Respective Dads took them to Bramall Lane. My Dad was not a fan of football (pigeons and angling). I was in luck when they asked me if I wanted to go. Of, course I jumped at it. Only saw 2 matches that season. Both wins by 4-0 and 4-1 against Grimsby Town and Blackburn Rovers (Div 1 as was then).
Both those teams were relegated at the end of the season. Stand out players at that time were Jimmy Hagan, Colin Collindridge, Albert Cox, Harry Latham, Jack Smith (goalie), Harrold Brook, Albert Nightingale ,Fred Furniss. Can't remember if they all played in the 2 matches mentioned above. Maybe the inimitable Silent can verify.

 

[Tickhill Blade]

My Grandad on my Mum's side was a blade and born on Boston St, where the panda is now. His dad was born on Bramall Lane, no 3 Court 3 long since demolished. So maybe that was the connection, although I didn't know any of that when my cousin took me to my first game when I was 7, 1991 2-1 win against Luton. Hooked ever since, it's always felt like home.

My Dad's Sheffield born but supports Man Utd for some unknown reason. It's weird growing up supporting a different team to your Dad, but both loving football. I was and still am jealous of those lads and dads going to the lane together.

 

[BerksBlade]

I'm the only Blade in the family. My Dad used to go to Hillsborough occasionally before me and my siblings came along, but by the time I was old enough to go he had lost interest (and was working until mid-afternoon most Saturdays anyway). He did take me to watch Wednesday v Man Utd when I was very young, but I think that was just to see Man Utd (who had recently won the European Cup).
My best mate was a United fan. His dad was a copper and always volunteered for match duty at Bramall Lane, so he took us both to home matches. My Dad would pick us up afterwards. Once I'd seen Woody, TC, Len Badger and the rest a few times I was hooked!
My brother's mates were all Wednesday fans, so he stayed on the blue side. Followed them home and away for quite a few years until he got married and had kids of his own.

 

[Cheeky Blade]

Family.

This who were into football were all Blades going back to the 50’s.

 

[Bladesman101]

First season was 06/07 prem season. I was 11 at the time and had absolutely no interest in football and hated every second of it, until…

Jagielka banged in a last minute screamer against Middlesbrough and that was the instant I understood it. Been obsessed with it every since!

 

[sitwell]

Blades family, but also I was born in Jessops and the Lane floodlights (remember them) could be seen from the hospital ward. Both sons ,Mum ,Dad and Grandad all born in Jessops and now both Grandkids although it has moved.

 

[Large Mendonca]

My dad took me to the lane back in the early 70's to see the likes of Currie and all, that was it hooked.
I remember a blades annual or magazine I got, can't remember if it was Dearden or Hockey, but the article was about one of them eating daffodil's.

That’s pretty much me too. Blades family, and introduced to it in the 1973-4 season.

 

[Silent Blade]

Champagne great question thanks for asking
I was actually being taken to Hillsborough by my Wendy supporting older brother luckily for me the match was postponed
Me and my school pal we were both aged nine at the time went to the Lane for a County Cup final v Wendy May 62
As soon as I got in the ground I was in awe my first match I absolutely loved it and still do 64 years later ,we won the game 3-2
Silent may be able to help here but I seem to recall a Wendy player getting carried off on a stretcher
Had to wait until August for the start of the 62/63 season, have been going ever since enjoyed the highs felt the lows but loved it
I still get the nervous tension in my stomach at the start of each season because you never know what you are going to get when you love and support the Blades

Post in thread '60 years ago this month...'

Apr 28, 2022

May 2, 1962
County Cup Preliminary Round
United 3-2 Wednesday
Attendance: 12089

Before I clear off to the north of Scotland to escape the tension of play-off qualification, I am adding a couple of posts to round off 1961-62. The first is a game I ought to have gone to, but I am pretty sure I didn’t, and until recently I had forgotten its existence. It has a wonderful symbolism - not only did we beat Wednesday twice in the League, we finished above them in the League, and then beat them again in the County Cup. From the report, it sounds like a good game, and a pleasure to ram home our new...

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