20 league goal men in my lifetime...

[Revolution]

Well done Billy.

Here are the others to do it since I appeared on the scene 40 odd years ago, and a comment or thought about each of them.

Billy Dearden - 20 goals, 1972-3, Division 1 (37 games played)

Billy's 19th and 20th were scored against Spurs on the last day of the season. I was 2 months old and don't remember that.

Keith Edwards - 35 goals, 1981-2, Division 4 (41 games played)

If King Keith had not taken our corners, and had taken the 10 penalties we were awarded, he'd have been a good bet for 50 goals, wouldn't he?

Keith Edwards - 33/34 goals, 1983-4, Division 3 (44 games played, 1 penalty)

The discrepancy arises from a goal in our 4-2 defeat at Gillingham which is sometimes recorded as an own goal by John Sitton. Yes, that John Sitton.

Colin Morris - 20 goals, 1983-4, Division 3 (42 games played, 10 penalties)

On New Year's Eve, United were awarded a second penalty late in our 5-0 win against Bolton. Morris, who had already scored a hattrick, saw his kick saved. That's the closest anyone has come to scoring 4 in a league game since King Keith did it on the first day of the same season.

Keith Edwards - 20 goals, 1985-6, Division 2 (32+ 3 games played, 1 penalty)

Leaving Keith out at the start of the season in place of Peter Withe was not Porterfield's finest tactial decision. Edwards scored 9 goals in 4 games shortly after his recall...

Tony Agana - 24 goals, 1988-9, Division 3 (44+2 games played)

My favourite Agana goal from that year was a cup goal in my first away game - that fantastic winner at Huddersfield. I can see it now, in my mind's eye...

Brian Deane - 22 goals, 1988-9, Division 2 (43 games played)

Their performances against Bristol Rovers had been good, but raw, and owed a lot to Bryson and Roberts. But when Deano and Agana got their trebles against Chester a fortnight later, you could see they were special, and you felt we were going places.

Brian Deane - 21 goals, 1989-90, Division 2 (45 games played)

My most vivid memory of these goals? The winner against Port Vale, when time seemed to stand still, which took us back to second. So vital.

James Beattie - 22 goals, 2007-8, Championship (36 + 3 games played, 5 pens)

I never understood the criticism Beattie got when you consider the return we got from Sharp (21+8 games, 4 goals), Stead (12 + 12 games, 3 goals), Hulse (10+11 games, no goals), Shelton (5 + 10 games, 1 goal) and Webber (8+6 games, 3 goals).

Ched Evans - 29 goals, 2011-12, League One (30+6 games played, 2 pens)

When I think about that season I think about Evans' and United's superb display at Rochdale. It makes me angry, and sad.

Let's have another 20+ next year, Billy.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Great minds, have just posted this on my Facebook page.

One of the brightest moments and highlights of this season for the Blades has been Billy Sharp. 20 goals for the season, could and should have had more, but not just his goals his team play. Player of the year at a cantor for me ....

I enjoy 20 goal a season men for the Blades, in my blades supporting career they've been a rarity....

Edwards 85/86 - 20
Agana 88/89 - 24
Deane 88/89 -22
Deane 89/90-21
Beattie 07/08 - 22
Evans 11/12 -29

 

[Sheffsteel]

Revolution,

I had some critisims of both Beattie and Ched.

Re: Beattie
It was a similar situation to when we had Edwards. It appeared as though the whole team was told, pass to Beattie or look for Beattie. Like Edwards Beattie shot on site and rarely passed to anyone. However when Sharp shot on goal Beattie would wave his arms around in frustration as though "why not pass to me". Sharp gradually played more as a winger and his instruction appeared to be cross to Beattie or set up Beattie. So in this case stats can be misleading. Also remember Beattie took free kicks and penalties which boost his stats. With Beattie in the team we didn't perform as well as though we were a 1 man team. As soon as Beattie was sold we played better and shot up the table. Also maybe I'm slightly biased based on him being the highest paid player in our history I expected a more positive effect on the team. Good player though and capable of scoring from not even half chances.

Re: Evans
Had a decent debut and I was excited about this young prospect. However he never kicked in and always faltered to decieve. Admittedly he hit the woodwork loads of times but just seemed half a yard too slow in the Championship and he wasn't worth his transfer fee or his wages. However I admit that in his final year of his contract he just got better and better and started to look PL standard. His final match was home to Leyton Orient and he stood out as a real class act far too good for league 1. Also his energy levels, drive, effort were as though his life depended on it and he was playing for another lucrative contract.

Re: Sharp this season
His finishing might have been better but I'm pleased he's not had any stick from the fans. The reason for supporting Sharp is that his attitude and effort has been consistently 1st class. He plays like he's a fan proud to wear the shirt and for me this day and age it's great to see and deserves recognition. He would be my player of the season too.

 

[Davie Blade]

Colin Morris - 20 goals, 1983-4, Division 3 (42 games played, 10 penalties)

The thing I always remember with Colin Morris penalty was how cool he was. Always seem to take a brilliant one.
Did he ever miss one? Silent Blade

 

[Revolution]

The thing I always remember with Colin Morris penalty was how cool he was. Always seem to take a brilliant one.
Did he ever miss one? Silent Blade

He missed 12 - more than any other United player. He followed up to score 3 times when he missed.

He scored 35 from memory - also a United record.

 

[Silent Blade]

Revolution,

I had some critisims of both Beattie and Ched.

Re: Beattie
It was a similar situation to when we had Edwards. It appeared as though the whole team was told, pass to Beattie or look for Beattie. Like Edwards Beattie shot on site and rarely passed to anyone. However when Sharp shot on goal Beattie would wave his arms around in frustration as though "why not pass to me". Sharp gradually played more as a winger and his instruction appeared to be cross to Beattie or set up Beattie. So in this case stats can be misleading. Also remember Beattie took free kicks and penalties which boost his stats. With Beattie in the team we didn't perform as well as though we were a 1 man team. As soon as Beattie was sold we played better and shot up the table. Also maybe I'm slightly biased based on him being the highest paid player in our history I expected a more positive effect on the team. Good player though and capable of scoring from not even half chances.

.

Spot on, Sheffsteel . He acted like a big fish in a small pond. We paid a lot of money for him and he was on much higher wages than anyone.

 

[pommpey]

Didn't Browny get 22 in the Triple Assault Season?

pommpey

 

[Silent Blade]

The thing I always remember with Colin Morris penalty was how cool he was. Always seem to take a brilliant one.
Did he ever miss one? Silent Blade

Revolution is correct. I was a part time Blade during the Colin Morris years at the Lane so there were one or two penalties I remember he missed such as the one in our 2-1 home win against Leicester in 1987-88 season. When I read a programme article on Morris penalties by Dennis Clareborough some years later I was surprised to discover that he missed as many as 12 penalties

 

[Silent Blade]

Didn't Browny get 22 in the Triple Assault Season?

pommpey

The OP meant League games

 

[Revolution]

Didn't Browny get 22 in the Triple Assault Season?

pommpey

16 in the League.

 

[Revolution]

Revolution is correct. I was a part time Blade during the Colin Morris years at the Lane so there were one or two penalties I remember he missed such as the one in our 2-1 home win against Leicester in 1987-88 season. When I read a programme article on Morris penalties by Dennis Clareborough some years later I was surprised to discover that he missed as many as 12 penalties

Morris misses:

82-83

Portsmouth h - followed up to score, won 2-1

83-84

Walsall a - followed up to score, won 2-1
Bolton h - saved, won 5-0
Newport a - won 2-0

84-85

Huddersfield h - saved, lost 2-0

85-86

Shrewsbury h - saved, drew 1-1
Millwall h - hit post, lost 1-3
Brighton h - followed up to score, won 3-0

86-87

WBA a- wide, lost 1-0
Birmingham a - saved, lost 2-1
Leeds h - wide, drew 0-0

(Morris then lost the job, but got it back when Beagrie missed the next one)

87-88

Leicester h - saved, won 2-1

 

[Revolution]

Spot on, Sheffsteel . He acted like a big fish in a small pond. We paid a lot of money for him and he was on much higher wages than anyone.

A big fish in a small pond is a good thing.

And 22 goals is a big contribution when your second top scorer manages 4.

 

[Silent Blade]

A big fish in a small pond is a good thing.

And 22 goals is a big contribution when your second top scorer manages 4.

Yes, a big contribution but it causes a problem team-wise. In the second half of the 2008-09 season after Beattie had gone, our results were better than with Beattie in the team because more players were able to chip in the goals. I have always said that Steve Gerrard was a big problem for Liverpool team-wise because he was always the "me,me,me" kind of player

 

[Silent Blade]

Morris misses:

82-83

Portsmouth h - followed up to score, won 2-1

83-84

Walsall a - followed up to score, won 2-1
Bolton h - saved, won 5-0
Newport a - won 2-0

84-85

Huddersfield h - saved, lost 2-0

85-86

Shrewsbury h - saved, drew 1-1
Millwall h - hit post, lost 1-3
Brighton h - followed up to score, won 3-0

86-87

WBA a- wide, lost 1-0
Birmingham a - saved, lost 2-1
Leeds h - wide, drew 0-0

(Morris then lost the job, but got it back when Beagrie missed the next one)

87-88

Leicester h - saved, won 2-1

Thanks Revolution

I remember going to the 3-1 home defeat against Millwall. I remember John Fashanu's good goal at the Kop End and Jeff Eckhardt's consolation goal but don't remember Morris' penalty miss. Looks like I went to only two of the matches from the list

 

[Revolution]

Yes, a big contribution but it causes a problem team-wise. In the second half of the 2008-09 season after Beattie had gone, our results were better than with Beattie in the team because more players were able to chip in the goals. I have always said that Steve Gerrard was a big problem for Liverpool team-wise because he was always the "me,me,me" kind of player

Nonsense.

Our results were better because after an indifferent spell (including losing at home to Wednesday) Cotterill was restored to the team and Sharp dropped. Our great run stemmed entirely from that - you can look it up. Plus our excellent defence got better and better.

And United managed 2 goals in the last 5 games, missing automatic promotion narrowly. Not much chipping in there.

Meanwhile, Beattie scored 7 times in 16 games and helped to save Stoke from relegation. They are still in the PL 8 years later. Their fans regard his signing as pivotal.

The idea that we improved just because Beattie left bears no serious scrutiny.

 

[Silent Blade]

Nonsense.



The idea that we improved just because Beattie left bears no serious scrutiny.

Don't think you are really looking at the bigger picture. He was a good player, no doubt. We had spent so much on one player rather than getting more better players to improve our squad. The gamble on splashing out all that money for Beattie didn't work team-wise.

 

[Revolution]

Don't think you are really looking at the bigger picture. He was a good player, no doubt. We had spent so much on one player rather than getting more better players to improve our squad. The gamble on splashing out all that money for Beattie didn't work team-wise.

You aren't looking at the bigger picture. We also signed in 2007-8 Sharp, Speed, Hendrie, Ehiogu, Carney, Cahill, Cotterill, Naysmith and Bardsley. Plus we had the likes of Kilgallon, Morgan, Quinn, Kenny, Tonge, Armstrong and Stead on the books.

Beattie wasn't the reason why we didn't go up that year. We had plenty of money. We had good players. The major problem was we had a terrible manager.

Oh, and here's the "improvement" after Beattie was sold:

Beat Watford 2-0
Lost 1-0 to Donny
Drew 0-0 with Preston
Beat (relegated) Southampton 2-1
Lost 2-1 to Wednesday.

Then Cotterill comes in and we win 7 and draw 4 of the next 11 games (he misses one of the draws). Sharp is dropped. Jamie Ward also comes in and does well.

Then Blackwell drops Cotterill for Burnley. We lose 1-0. Scorers in our last 5 matches - a pen from Cotterill and one from Brian Howard...

 

[Silent Blade]

You aren't looking at the bigger picture. We also signed in 2007-8 Sharp, Speed, Hendrie, Ehiogu, Carney, Cahill, Cotterill, Naysmith and Bardsley. Plus we had the likes of Kilgallon, Morgan, Quinn, Kenny, Tonge, Armstrong and Stead on the books.

Beattie wasn't the reason why we didn't go up that year. We had plenty of money. We had good players. The major problem was we had a terrible manager.

Agree that having a terrible manager was the major problem. If Warnock had stayed on, I very much doubt he would be signing Beattie. I thought the team had a better balance after Beattie left for Stoke

 

[Revolution]

Agree that having a terrible manager was the major problem. If Warnock had stayed on, I very much doubt he would be signing Beattie. I thought the team had a better balance after Beattie left for Stoke

It had a better balance with Cotterill back and Ward in it.

 

[Darren]

Morris misses:

82-83

Portsmouth h - followed up to score, won 2-1

83-84

Walsall a - followed up to score, won 2-1
Bolton h - saved, won 5-0
Newport a - won 2-0

84-85

Huddersfield h - saved, lost 2-0

85-86

Shrewsbury h - saved, drew 1-1
Millwall h - hit post, lost 1-3
Brighton h - followed up to score, won 3-0

86-87

WBA a- wide, lost 1-0
Birmingham a - saved, lost 2-1
Leeds h - wide, drew 0-0

(Morris then lost the job, but got it back when Beagrie missed the next one)

87-88

Leicester h - saved, won 2-1

The third pen he missed in 86-7 was against Barnsley not Leeds. The Leeds game was on 7th Feb and the Barnsley game on 7th March. Easy mistake to make

It was 0-0 when he missed, Foley scored later on and we won 1-0.

 

[Grecian2000]

Good thread.

Question though. Following on from one last week showing Billy has done all his in Valeries, has any other player scored as many but not had a brace at least?

For what it's worth I'm with Rev on the Beattie issue. I think he took most criticism that first season for being "lazy" (I was in this very camp). To me, it became clear after Robson had gone and Hoofy had got the team back to an acceptable fitness level that Beattie had been completely unfit and had been "saving himself" to get through the full 90.
That second season, when he'd have been sold in the summer if he wasn't injured, the upturn after he left was far more down to Hoofy restoring Cotts than the team being boosted by a lack of Beattie.

 

[Revolution]

Good thread.

Question though. Following on from one last week showing Billy has done all his in Valeries, has any other player scored as many but not had a brace at least?.

I have no idea, but I suspect this is very rare. Certainly no United player has ever done it. Everyone listed above scored at least one hat trick save Dearden, and he got at least one brace.

 

[Geordie Blade]

On New Year's Eve, United were awarded a second penalty late in our 5-0 win against Bolton. Morris, who had already scored a hattrick, saw his kick saved. That's the closest anyone has come to scoring 4 in a league game since King Keith did it on the first day of the same season.

That was my first ever game and, up until now, I didn't know that Morris had missed a penalty.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Well done Billy.

Here are the others to do it since I appeared on the scene 40 odd years ago, and a comment or thought about each of them.

Billy Dearden - 20 goals, 1972-3, Division 1 (37 games played)

Billy's 19th and 20th were scored against Spurs on the last day of the season. I was 2 months old and don't remember that.

Keith Edwards - 35 goals, 1981-2, Division 4 (41 games played)

If King Keith had not taken our corners, and had taken the 10 penalties we were awarded, he'd have been a good bet for 50 goals, wouldn't he?

Keith Edwards - 33/34 goals, 1983-4, Division 3 (44 games played, 1 penalty)

The discrepancy arises from a goal in our 4-2 defeat at Gillingham which is sometimes recorded as an own goal by John Sitton. Yes, that John Sitton.

Colin Morris - 20 goals, 1983-4, Division 3 (42 games played, 10 penalties)

On New Year's Eve, United were awarded a second penalty late in our 5-0 win against Bolton. Morris, who had already scored a hattrick, saw his kick saved. That's the closest anyone has come to scoring 4 in a league game since King Keith did it on the first day of the same season.

Keith Edwards - 20 goals, 1985-6, Division 2 (32+ 3 games played, 1 penalty)

Leaving Keith out at the start of the season in place of Peter Withe was not Porterfield's finest tactial decision. Edwards scored 9 goals in 4 games shortly after his recall...

Tony Agana - 24 goals, 1988-9, Division 3 (44+2 games played)

My favourite Agana goal from that year was a cup goal in my first away game - that fantastic winner at Huddersfield. I can see it now, in my mind's eye...

Brian Deane - 22 goals, 1988-9, Division 2 (43 games played)

Their performances against Bristol Rovers had been good, but raw, and owed a lot to Bryson and Roberts. But when Deano and Agana got their trebles against Chester a fortnight later, you could see they were special, and you felt we were going places.

Brian Deane - 21 goals, 1989-90, Division 2 (45 games played)

My most vivid memory of these goals? The winner against Port Vale, when time seemed to stand still, which took us back to second. So vital.

James Beattie - 22 goals, 2007-8, Championship (36 + 3 games played, 5 pens)

I never understood the criticism Beattie got when you consider the return we got from Sharp (21+8 games, 4 goals), Stead (12 + 12 games, 3 goals), Hulse (10+11 games, no goals), Shelton (5 + 10 games, 1 goal) and Webber (8+6 games, 3 goals).

Ched Evans - 29 goals, 2011-12, League One (30+6 games played, 2 pens)

When I think about that season I think about Evans' and United's superb display at Rochdale. It makes me angry, and sad.

Let's have another 20+ next year, Billy.

I Like this post. What is particularly impressive is that whilst Tony Agana was scoring 24 goals in Division 3 for us, Brian Deane was managing to score 22 in Division 2 for us. I knew they were a special strike force but 46 goals combined in two divisions in one season! Sorry, pedantic wanker I know.



Think Marcelo hit 20 for us as did Brownie but that was in all competitions. I guess both came short of 20 league goals.



Here’s a question for the stattos. Who was the last player before Billy to score in 20 different league games in one season? Did Ched manage it? Have many of the others done it?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Revolution,

I had some critisims of both Beattie and Ched.

Re: Beattie
It was a similar situation to when we had Edwards. It appeared as though the whole team was told, pass to Beattie or look for Beattie. Like Edwards Beattie shot on site and rarely passed to anyone. However when Sharp shot on goal Beattie would wave his arms around in frustration as though "why not pass to me". Sharp gradually played more as a winger and his instruction appeared to be cross to Beattie or set up Beattie. So in this case stats can be misleading. Also remember Beattie took free kicks and penalties which boost his stats. With Beattie in the team we didn't perform as well as though we were a 1 man team. As soon as Beattie was sold we played better and shot up the table. Also maybe I'm slightly biased based on him being the highest paid player in our history I expected a more positive effect on the team. Good player though and capable of scoring from not even half chances.

Re: Evans
Had a decent debut and I was excited about this young prospect. However he never kicked in and always faltered to decieve. Admittedly he hit the woodwork loads of times but just seemed half a yard too slow in the Championship and he wasn't worth his transfer fee or his wages. However I admit that in his final year of his contract he just got better and better and started to look PL standard. His final match was home to Leyton Orient and he stood out as a real class act far too good for league 1. Also his energy levels, drive, effort were as though his life depended on it and he was playing for another lucrative contract.

Re: Sharp this season
His finishing might have been better but I'm pleased he's not had any stick from the fans. The reason for supporting Sharp is that his attitude and effort has been consistently 1st class. He plays like he's a fan proud to wear the shirt and for me this day and age it's great to see and deserves recognition. He would be my player of the season too.

Agree with all of that. Beattie was an excellent goalscorer but his overall team contribution was nowhere near that of Deane, Agana, Bent, Blake, Evans etc.



Absolutely agree about Sharp’s attitude. My username is picked on the basis of Whitehouse being the best of the fans who went on to represent the team but Billy is also a strong candidate in that regard.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Nonsense.

Our results were better because after an indifferent spell (including losing at home to Wednesday) Cotterill was restored to the team and Sharp dropped. Our great run stemmed entirely from that - you can look it up. Plus our excellent defence got better and better.

And United managed 2 goals in the last 5 games, missing automatic promotion narrowly. Not much chipping in there.

Meanwhile, Beattie scored 7 times in 16 games and helped to save Stoke from relegation. They are still in the PL 8 years later. Their fans regard his signing as pivotal.

The idea that we improved just because Beattie left bears no serious scrutiny.

I seem to remember Cotterill only ever turned up for the latter part of the season. A bit like Ryan Flynn you could argue.


I think the emergence of Kyle Naughton also played it’s part in our upturn that season and Walker too in the last few games. Also, the signing of Jamie Ward gave us a different type of forward threat as our front line lacked pace.

 

[Revolution]

I Like this post. What is particularly impressive is that whilst Tony Agana was scoring 24 goals in Division 3 for us, Brian Deane was managing to score 22 in Division 2 for us. I knew they were a special strike force but 46 goals combined in two divisions in one season! Sorry, pedantic wanker I know.



Think Marcelo hit 20 for us as did Brownie but that was in all competitions. I guess both came short of 20 league goals.



Here’s a question for the stattos. Who was the last player before Billy to score in 20 different league games in one season? Did Ched manage it? Have many of the others done it?

Marcelo got 16 league goals, 3 cup goals - and one in the "void" Arsenal game. At the time, the FA did not count goals scored in that game as part of their records.

To me, that's 20 league and cup goals.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

A more difficult question to answer, but how many of those players mentioned finished top scorer of the division? Sharp is now one behind Grigg, two behind Ajose, and has every chance to catch them in the remaining games.

 

[Darren]

A more difficult question to answer, but how many of those players mentioned finished top scorer of the division? Sharp is now one behind Grigg, two behind Ajose, and has every chance to catch them in the remaining games.

Edwards in 81-2 and 83-4.

 

[Silent Blade]

A more difficult question to answer, but how many of those players mentioned finished top scorer of the division? Sharp is now one behind Grigg, two behind Ajose, and has every chance to catch them in the remaining games.

Edwards in 81-2 and 83-4.

Woodward was the leading scorer in the first division in January 1974. When we were awarded a penalty in the home game against Spurs, many Blades were expecting Woody to take the penalty and boost his goals tally but got a shock when Keith Eddy stepped in to take it. The crowd booed at Eddy (more likely the boos were really aimed at new manager Furphy). Eddy scored the penalty but felt "narked" by the booing