"We're all blades aren't we"???

[Snowman]

You're a few years out pal, i first heard the term 'Pigs' on October 8th 1973.

I agree it was earlier. I remember that I first saw it used in an old proto fanzine called Toby Tyke from Barnsley. I produced a similar thing between 1976 and 1979 called the "Bertie Blade News" and when I scour the loft/attic I will post some examples. I remember I got my first proper job in 1976 and photocopying a picture of a giraffe into a puerile article about the appointment of Jack Charlton saying something like Pigs appoint "Jack rubbernecking pig' when Charlton was appointed in 1977 and there was a "cartoon" on the back page called the 'Red and White Wizard" where I distinctly remember a speech bubble stating "Begone foul pig". Just a bit of history for you. Not that it matters. I still prefer the casual greeting used from Beighton to Bombay when you see the shirt. 'Eyup Blade'. Don't need no poncy WAWAW substitute.

 

[Pedro Verde]

I agree it was earlier. I remember that I first saw it used in an old proto fanzine called Toby Tyke from Barnsley. I produced a similar thing between 1976 and 1979 called the "Bertie Blade News" and when I scour the loft/attic I will post some examples. I remember I got my first proper job in 1976 and photocopying a picture of a giraffe into a puerile article about the appointment of Jack Charlton saying something like Pigs appoint "Jack rubbernecking pig' when Charlton was appointed in 1977 and there was a "cartoon" on the back page called the 'Red and White Wizard" where I distinctly remember a speech bubble stating "Begone foul pig". Just a bit of history for you. Not that it matters. I still prefer the casual greeting used from Beighton to Bombay when you see the shirt. 'Eyup Blade'. Don't need no poncy WAWAW substitute.

I remember that
I also remember something about Big Bad Willy small balls for some reason

 

[Bladesman]

It's all bollocks and anyone saying "We're all Blades aren't we" deserves a good slap around the face.

 

[Paqamaq]

I remember "all Blades aren't we" back in the late 70's, where the word "Blades" basically replaced the word "mates". So for example, walking back from the bar, someone stumbles and spills a few of the pints he is carrying, all his mates groan and he shrugs and says "all Blades aren't we?", so in other words it doesn't matter as we are all mates, or all family.

I'm with Grappler on this. It's a generic phrase from way back, used in all sorts of contexts, often to quell potential conflict situations by focusing on the bigger picture. It's got fuck all to do with Wednesday, but for some reason they've appropriated it, despite the fact that everybody uses it.

When they use it they just sound like a bunch of desperate disjointed wankers. Conversely, when we use it, we sound United.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

Memo to Borbokis.

Dear Borbokis,

Please see below regarding the use of the phrase "We're all Blades aren't we?".
It is NEVER to be used as part of supporting Sheffield United FC. It's a childish and, frankly embarrassing, piece of prose that is mainly associated with Sheffield's irrelevant "other team".
As they have a fan base of poor mental capacity it is often used to remind themselves that they have a sense of belonging with other unfortunates and as their nickname doesn't lend itself to any sort of mutual greeting (e.g. "Ey up Blade" when Sheffield United supporters greet each other is significantly more robust than the pathetic "Ey up Owl" which would be their version) they have, seemingly, had this ridiculous saying defaulted to them.
It should be actively encouraged on their behalf as it makes them look like some sort of American "Glee club" and is a source of great amusement when it is produced regularly by their cheerleaders.

End of memo.

First thing I said when seeing a Blades beach towel at the hotel pool was "Eh up Blade" to the chap lying on said towel!

 

[Borbokisfreekick]

Memo to Borbokis.

Dear Borbokis,

Please see below regarding the use of the phrase "We're all Blades aren't we?".
It is NEVER to be used as part of supporting Sheffield United FC. It's a childish and, frankly embarrassing, piece of prose that is mainly associated with Sheffield's irrelevant "other team".
As they have a fan base of poor mental capacity it is often used to remind themselves that they have a sense of belonging with other unfortunates and as their nickname doesn't lend itself to any sort of mutual greeting (e.g. "Ey up Blade" when Sheffield United supporters greet each other is significantly more robust than the pathetic "Ey up Owl" which would be their version) they have, seemingly, had this ridiculous saying defaulted to them.
It should be actively encouraged on their behalf as it makes them look like some sort of American "Glee club" and is a source of great amusement when it is produced regularly by their cheerleaders.

End of memo.

Ha ha, thanks Grecian. Thought as much.

I wondered what it was all about. I've been a blade for 25 years and it's only been the past two years I've seen it surface on this forum - thought it might be an ironic way of taking the piss out of the pigs.

In fact, the first time I saw/heard it was when we hired Danny Wilson - maybe it had something to do with his previous routes and a piss take!

 

[bornablade]

This has been done to death but the WAWAW means 'When Are Wednesday At Wembley?'

I realise the nickname 'BLADES' has been around for yonks but it really has only been used with such prominence in recent times. As a kid in the 1960's the question you were asked was 'Are you a Unitedite or Wednesdayite?'

Being a Blade is a brilliant name - conjures up sharpness and everything that we should be proud of about Sheffield.

Last night I was speaking to a Forest fan who asked who I supported. 'Sheffield United' I says. To which he replied 'Oh you're a Blade'.
Fills you with pride when you're given that name.

Very rare now anyone would refer to themselves as a 'Unitedite' - would always be a BLADE.

Not sure what that lot over in S6 use to describe themselves nowadays. Andy Giddins on RS will often say 'Maybe you're an OWL who wants to get in touch...'

Doesn't quite have the same effect.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Perhaps it was necessary to explicitly refer to common usage rather than "thought up". I'm sure some individuals will have cursed the S6 lot as pigs once or twice in 1968, maybe 4 times in 1971, maybe twice in 1951 and three times while having a painful shit in the Brook school bogs after too many eggs in 1972, after all it's an obvious kind of insult to make to anyone - I've called my own sister a pig when behaving like a petulant child at the age of 5... No doubt lots of other epithets for them were used too.

But it didn't enter common and established use until that 79/80 season when we were both in the third division and evolved from references to Charlton, not to the club or fans originally.

As for it's progenation... Like most terrace culture long before the t'interweb, it no doubt took time for any reference to Charlton to become embedded into common use... maybe the guy (or gal) that first gave birth to the term did it within 23 seconds or less of Charlton being appointed their manager, maybe it took a bit longer because other terms of abuse for Charlton were used before that... after all, Charlton didn't exactly look like a pig did he, so it isn't a natural extrapolation of his features to come up with a pig reference instantly he was seen at Hillsborough. So it's actually more than likely that it took some time to arise rather than as soon as Charlton landed in S6

Perhaps it was necessary to explicitly refer to common usage rather than "thought up". I'm sure some individuals will have cursed the S6 lot as pigs once or twice in 1968, maybe 4 times in 1971, maybe twice in 1951 and three times while having a painful shit in the Brook school bogs after too many eggs in 1972, after all it's an obvious kind of insult to make to anyone - I've called my own sister a pig when behaving like a petulant child at the age of 5... No doubt lots of other epithets for them were used too.

But it didn't enter common and established use until that 79/80 season when we were both in the third division and evolved from references to Charlton, not to the club or fans originally.

As for it's progenation... Like most terrace culture long before the t'interweb, it no doubt took time for any reference to Charlton to become embedded into common use... maybe the guy (or gal) that first gave birth to the term did it within 23 seconds or less of Charlton being appointed their manager, maybe it took a bit longer because other terms of abuse for Charlton were used before that... after all, Charlton didn't exactly look like a pig did he, so it isn't a natural extrapolation of his features to come up with a pig reference instantly he was seen at Hillsborough. So it's actually more than likely that it took some time to arise rather than as soon as Charlton landed in S6.

Irrespective of there being common usage in S2 and S8 before then you must be right as being a pompous twat always wins the debate. Presumably nothing counts until it reaches the centre of Bladesness that is/was Handsworth.
The Pigs themselves picked up on it pretty quickly for them, in S2 quite a few were wearing tee shirts referring to us as pigs the week after Boxing Day.

 

[Rollerball]

This entire "wawaw and wabaw" is bollox tbh, with what Nigel and the whole board have stuffed down our throats from day one it really should be, if used at all I hasten to add " wauaw" meaning of course we're all UNITED aren't we, duel meaning and actually makes sense.
Much more so the were all a midweek day aren't we or we are all a cutting utensil aren't we
Utb

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I agree it was earlier. I remember that I first saw it used in an old proto fanzine called Toby Tyke from Barnsley. I produced a similar thing between 1976 and 1979 called the "Bertie Blade News" and when I scour the loft/attic I will post some examples. I remember I got my first proper job in 1976 and photocopying a picture of a giraffe into a puerile article about the appointment of Jack Charlton saying something like Pigs appoint "Jack rubbernecking pig' when Charlton was appointed in 1977 and there was a "cartoon" on the back page called the 'Red and White Wizard" where I distinctly remember a speech bubble stating "Begone foul pig". Just a bit of history for you. Not that it matters. I still prefer the casual greeting used from Beighton to Bombay when you see the shirt. 'Eyup Blade'. Don't need no poncy WAWAW substitute.

Look forward to seeing those

 

[HighfieldBlade]

I hate it on social occasions when friends and family I've not seen for a while make small-talk and get my footballing allegiance wrong:
"So, are you still following Sheffield Wednesday?"
"No, not Wednesday. United. Sheffield United."
"Are they the Owls?"
"Not quite. Blades. We're The Blades."
"Oh. Which league are they in?"
"Er, League One at the moment."
"Oh that's quite low isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is a bit"

Probably small-talk, but I can't tell if they're on the wind-up, to be honest.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

Irrespective of there being common usage in S2 and S8 before then you must be right as being a pompous twat always wins the debate. Presumably nothing counts until it reaches the centre of Bladesness that is/was Handsworth.
The Pigs themselves picked up on it pretty quickly for them, in S2 quite a few were wearing tee shirts referring to us as pigs the week after Boxing Day.

The Handsworth references make no claim about being centre of anything, they're generally just recollections of my "local" examples of other people's broader comments about Blades/Blade culture-past - and specifically on this thread support the references to a specific saying being used prior to it becoming claimed as a wednesday-only thing. Since my experiences with my mates in Handsworth are a significant portion of my United-following experiences, they're going to be natural source of input. Not going to apologise for that.

As for the rest, I'm arguing something about the use of terminology and a label that I believe only became entrenched and widespread at a certain approximate point in time. And I'll respond in the same vein that I interpret the input of other posters joining the debate.

If that makes me pompous, then pompous be I. (especially if that's what makes me "win" - which isn't my intention).

 

[Bob Socks]

Like i said, i first heard it in 73 coming back from a league cup game at West Brom, it was maybe a year or so later when it became widely used by Blades. As somebody said, the RAWW fanzine from the mid 70s regularly used the term, so you are way out pal.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

I hate it on social occasions when friends and family I've not seen for a while make small-talk and get my footballing allegiance wrong:
"So, are you still following Sheffield Wednesday?"
"No, not Wednesday. United. Sheffield United."
"Are they the Owls?"
"Not quite. Blades. We're The Blades."
"Oh. Which league are they in?"
"Er, League One at the moment."
"Oh that's quite low isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is a bit"

Probably small-talk, but I can't tell if they're on the wind-up, to be honest.

Reading that made me chuckle

Sounds like a classic wind up mate, bet they can hardly keep a straight face watching you seethe

 

[Sean Thornton]

The Handsworth references make no claim about being centre of anything, they're generally just recollections of my "local" examples of other people's broader comments about Blades/Blade culture-past - and specifically on this thread support the references to a specific saying being used prior to it becoming claimed as a wednesday-only thing. Since my experiences with my mates in Handsworth are a significant portion of my United-following experiences, they're going to be natural source of input. Not going to apologise for that.

As for the rest, I'm arguing something about the use of terminology and a label that I believe only became entrenched and widespread at a certain approximate point in time. And I'll respond in the same vein that I interpret the input of other posters joining the debate.

If that makes me pompous, then pompous be I. (especially if that's what makes me "win" - which isn't my intention).

"But it didn't enter common and established use until that 79/80 season when we were both in the third division"

I read that as a statement of fact rather than opinion. Which I and others dispute due to being aware of its usage earlier. By Blades. The fanzine may throw some light on it.

 

[Bob Socks]

Reading through this thread again i think Mustela is talking a load of shite. Maybe if he'd stood on the kop, or better still on the Lane End, instead of the John Street East Terrace with old men and women he might have a better understanding about Blade 'culture.'

 

[sitwell]

Reading through this thread again i think Mustela is talking a load of shite. Maybe if he'd stood on the kop, or better still on the Lane End, instead of the John Street East Terrace with old men and women he might have a better understanding about Blade 'culture.'

Is the nickname referring to who I think it is ? Before we met My mrs used to babysit his kids and I went to loads of away games with him ,it was never dull

 

[Bob Socks]

It is sitwell, bet his kid's were as well behaved as he was?

 

[mattbianco1]

I still chuckle at the WAWAWAWAW on the back of their shirt. Oh come onn

Yet if we had COYRAWW on the back of ours everybody would think its great...

I agree though, its chringeworthy and we should NEVER do that

 

[Jonboy60]

no mention of herring ?

Can we sing this version next game please.

 

[ilovesufc]

I hate the "We're all ... Aren't we?" & the other one I hate that they do is "Wednesday till I die". Pathetic.

 

[BushBlade]

I hate the "We're all ... Aren't we?" & the other one I hate that they do is "Wednesday till I die". Pathetic.

Is it just me? When they sing Wednesday 'til I die, I think 'hurry up then'.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

Reading through this thread again i think Mustela is talking a load of shite. Maybe if he'd stood on the kop, or better still on the Lane End, instead of the John Street East Terrace with old men and women he might have a better understanding about Blade 'culture.'

I've stood and sat on all 4 sides of the ground, I've had season tickets to all 4 sides and in my younger days I would vary where I went from match to match..... so the experiences I've soaked up aren't limited to John Street Terrace East which is how my opinions have been formed. I may be wrong about some comments I make - and I've often referred to "false memories" caused by the passage of time - but that's not a phenomenon limited to me - and I'm happy to be corrected if there's evidence to change a view - but while I might be wrong, I'm certainly not "talking a load of shite", I'm recalling what I've experienced.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

Is the nickname referring to who I think it is ? Before we met My mrs used to babysit his kids and I went to loads of away games with him ,it was never dull

Nope, not me.... unless you mean Bob Socks....?

 

[sitwell]

It is sitwell, bet his kid's were as well behaved as he was?

Nobody was as well behaved as Bob ,he was especially nice to Leeds fans at Elland Rd

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

Nobody was as well behaved as Bob ,he was especially nice to Leeds fans at Elland Rd

It was a strange comment anyway.... I can assure everyone that I am a fine up-standing citizen (no sarcasm). I'm lovely and fluffy, if somewhat verbose and argumentative And I'm not "hard" enough to be "pwaper nawty".

.... And my recollections on here about "non-football" related match day incidents and scrapes I've experienced are generally about incidents sparked by the numpties of other clubs - often with my mates and I walking inadvertently into sticky situations and having to find our way out of them. (We were dozy, beer-obsessed buggers some times). I would't consider self-defence as bad behaviour. Looking back, given the nature of some of those lads I used to go to away matches with, it's a bit of a surprise, but I can think of only one game where some of them deliberately instigated a specific "bad-behavour" incident rather than just having to deal with one caused by others. (Port Vale, away, 4th division).

 

[OllyBlade]

This has been done to death but the WAWAW means 'When Are Wednesday At Wembley?'

I realise the nickname 'BLADES' has been around for yonks but it really has only been used with such prominence in recent times. As a kid in the 1960's the question you were asked was 'Are you a Unitedite or Wednesdayite?'

Being a Blade is a brilliant name - conjures up sharpness and everything that we should be proud of about Sheffield.

Last night I was speaking to a Forest fan who asked who I supported. 'Sheffield United' I says. To which he replied 'Oh you're a Blade'.
Fills you with pride when you're given that name.

Very rare now anyone would refer to themselves as a 'Unitedite' - would always be a BLADE.

Not sure what that lot over in S6 use to describe themselves nowadays. Andy Giddins on RS will often say 'Maybe you're an OWL who wants to get in touch...'

Doesn't quite have the same effect.

Here's the programme from the 1925 cup semi-final which suggests our nickname was used nationwide by that point - (credit to Sharrowblade )



I agree with you entirely, I think 'The Blades' is the best footballing nickname. Not only does it have an actual significance to Sheffield but it really evokes that feeling of being in a gang/band of brothers (and sisters!).

 

[sitwell]

It was a strange comment anyway.... I can assure everyone that I am a fine up-standing citizen (no sarcasm). I'm lovely and fluffy, if somewhat verbose and argumentative And I'm not "hard" enough to be "pwaper nawty".

.... And my recollections on here about "non-football" related match day incidents and scrapes I've experienced are generally about incidents sparked by the numpties of other clubs - often with my mates and I walking inadvertently into sticky situations and having to find our way out of them. (We were dozy, beer-obsessed buggers some times). I would't consider self-defence as bad behaviour. Looking back, given the nature of some of those lads I used to go to away matches with, it's a bit of a surprise, but I can think of only one game where some of them deliberately instigated a specific "bad-behavour" incident rather than just having to deal with one caused by others. (Port Vale, away, 4th division).

Eventful game that one ,did you end up in Leek by any chance ?

 

[Bob Socks]

I've stood and sat on all 4 sides of the ground, I've had season tickets to all 4 sides and in my younger days I would vary where I went from match to match..... so the experiences I've soaked up aren't limited to John Street Terrace East which is how my opinions have been formed. I may be wrong about some comments I make - and I've often referred to "false memories" caused by the passage of time - but that's not a phenomenon limited to me - and I'm happy to be corrected if there's evidence to change a view - but while I might be wrong, I'm certainly not "talking a load of shite", I'm recalling what I've experienced.

Right, so its “false memories” is it now? Maybe if you didn’t come across as an arrogant arsehole I might believe you. There was no, ‘Well this is how it might have come about’ it was set in fucking stone. Even when you were pulled up on it, you came back with some smart arse comments ‘It might have been said twice in 68 and 4 times in 71, or when somebody was having a shit.’

I know exactly when I first heard it and Blades used the term all through the 70’s, it had fuck all to do with Jack Charlton.

 

[Mustela Putorius Furo]

"Eventful game that one ,did you end up in Leek by any chance ?"


I think on the way there we went into Buxton - a pub that claimed to be John Lowe's local if i remember right - my first ever "underberg" tasted in there... as expected it didn't stay in very long..... then moved on to the Three Horseshoes (?) just before Leek and spent too long drinking and playing darts in there with some locals and had to rush to the ground - didn't get there till just before the 2nd goal....

we threw the van somewhere on the hill, ran down to the ground and ended up in different parts of the ground - which is where some of the lads got a bit of a slapping as they'd gone on the home end.... on the way home the one's dishing out the slapping were spotted near some shops on the road back to the Leek Road... the van was thrown onto the pavement and revenge was dished out. We stopped in Leek for chips on the way back as we didn't think we'd get in anywhere in the town and headed to what's now called "The Knight's table" but got turned away because there'd already been some bother in the "disco", so ended up back in Buxton and split up where necessary to drink in it's more trendy pubs of the time. We encountered no bother in Buxton, so had a good evening and left about 10:00ish mostly well oiled.