50 years of Sheffield mediocrity, closer than you think!

[BladeFisher]

I thought I'd have a look at a comparison between the Blades and the Grunters over the last 50 years regarding their league positions. What started this off was the spectre of them gaining promotion through the play offs, creating a two league gap between us. This has only happened three times before. In 1975-76 we were in the top tier (having an awful season of Villa type proportions culminating in relegation) whilst hey were in the third tier, in 1981-82 when Wednesday were in the second tier and we were in the 4th (getting promoted as it turned out) and in 1988-89 when they were in the top tier and we were in the third (again getting promoted). So a two league gap has never lasted more than a season. Maybe hope for next season, we'll get promoted or they'll come straight back down.....if they go up!

Over the last 50 years United's average position is 31st and Wednesday's 30th out of the 92 clubs. There have only been 15 seasons when we have been in the same league; five in the top tier, eight in the second tier and two in the third.

In the top tier, United have only played 12 seasons to Wednesday's 19 and our average league position is 14th to Wednesday's 12th. Out of the five seasons shared in this tier we only finished above them once in the 1996-67 season.

It is the second tier where the Blades have spent most of their time, 27 seasons to Wednesday's 22. Our average league position is 9th to their 13th and when in the same league (8 seasons) we have always finished above them, amazingly.

In the third tier we have spent ten seasons to their nine and our average league position is 8th to their 11th and when sharing this league (two occasions) they have always finished above us.

We've spent one season in the fourth tier, which they haven't, though they came mighty close in 1975-76 finishing 20th and escaping the drop by one point.

So, in terms of average league placings we are very closely matched, they are nearly identical. Wednesday perform better against us at either ends of the spectrum (top tier and third tier). What does seem noticeable is that Wednesday tend to be more inconsistent having greater extremes of league position than United.

There is also a worrying pattern that United are seriously deteriorating over time and I think this is the debate to really have. Remember it wasn't until 1978-79 that we fell out of the top two divisions of football for the first time ever. Wednesday did it in 1975-76.

I don't know why it is (just happens to coincide with my life time, typical) but perhaps the fault lies with the directors of the club. Are directors of the two Sheffield clubs just too small minded? There is certainly the support in the city and the fan base is there.

With regards to us, I do feel we are entering the 'Notts Countyisation' of this old club and now there is total apathy at the top to get us out of this league in an upwards direction. Five seasons in the third tier is totally unacceptable for a club of this size and for that the directors take full responsibility. Wednesday did spend five years in the third tier but Charlton get them out the season of the Boxing Day massacre.

Food for thought.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I thought I'd have a look at a comparison between the Blades and the Grunters over the last 50 years regarding their league positions. What started this off was the spectre of them gaining promotion through the play offs, creating a two league gap between us. This has only happened three times before. In 1975-76 we were in the top tier (having an awful season of Villa type proportions culminating in relegation) whilst hey were in the third tier, in 1981-82 when Wednesday were in the second tier and we were in the 4th (getting promoted as it turned out) and in 1988-89 when they were in the top tier and we were in the third (again getting promoted). So a two league gap has never lasted more than a season. Maybe hope for next season, we'll get promoted or they'll come straight back down.....if they go up!

Over the last 50 years United's average position is 31st and Wednesday's 30th out of the 92 clubs. There have only been 15 seasons when we have been in the same league; five in the top tier, eight in the second tier and two in the third.

In the top tier, United have only played 12 seasons to Wednesday's 19 and our average league position is 14th to Wednesday's 12th. Out of the five seasons shared in this tier we only finished above them once in the 1996-67 season.

It is the second tier where the Blades have spent most of their time, 27 seasons to Wednesday's 22. Our average league position is 9th to their 13th and when in the same league (8 seasons) we have always finished above them, amazingly.

In the third tier we have spent ten seasons to their nine and our average league position is 8th to their 11th and when sharing this league (two occasions) they have always finished above us.

We've spent one season in the fourth tier, which they haven't, though they came mighty close in 1975-76 finishing 20th and escaping the drop by one point.

So, in terms of average league placings we are very closely matched, they are nearly identical. Wednesday perform better against us at either ends of the spectrum (top tier and third tier). What does seem noticeable is that Wednesday tend to be more inconsistent having greater extremes of league position than United.

There is also a worrying pattern that United are seriously deteriorating over time and I think this is the debate to really have. Remember it wasn't until 1978-79 that we fell out of the top two divisions of football for the first time ever. Wednesday did it in 1975-76.

I don't know why it is (just happens to coincide with my life time, typical) but perhaps the fault lies with the directors of the club. Are directors of the two Sheffield clubs just too small minded? There is certainly the support in the city and the fan base is there.

With regards to us, I do feel we are entering the 'Notts Countyisation' of this old club and now there is total apathy at the top to get us out of this league in an upwards direction. Five seasons in the third tier is totally unacceptable for a club of this size and for that the directors take full responsibility. Wednesday did spend five years in the third tier but Charlton get them out the season of the Boxing Day massacre.

Food for thought.

If we were where we are now league position wise but in in the 2nd division my expectations would be been met.

"It is the second tier where the Blades have spent most of their time, 27 seasons to Wednesday's 22. Our average league position is 9th"

 

[The Crab]

Nottscountyisation is an interesting, and scary phrase. There's not only a gap between Forest & County, it's more of a chasm these days. Are we heading the same way? It's a possibility I would say if we don't turn the ship around soon.

 

[Kenilworth]

In the top tier, United have only played 12 seasons to Wednesday's 19 and our average league position is 14th to Wednesday's 12th.
Out of the five seasons shared in this tier we only finished above them once in the 1996-67 season.

That was a particularly weird season, I can tell you

 

[BladeFisher]

That was a particularly weird season, I can tell you

Thanks Kenilworth. Typo crept in there. Should have said 1966-67 not 1996-67!

 

[Kenilworth]

Thanks Kenilworth. Typo crept in there. Should have said 1966-67 not 1996-67!

Pleasure
Allus on the ball for that kind of stuff, BF

Looking forward to you reciprocating.
Admittedly, they are few and far between but some creep in now and again, especially if I am thumb typing on the moby and that auto correct feller sticks his bloody oar in

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

If we'd finished above them in 2011-12 we would have broken the record for most consecutive seasons of one club finishing higher than the other. I think we were on 11 or 12 seasons in a row.

Naturally, we fucked it up in glorious fashion.

 

[BladeFisher]

If we'd finished above them in 2011-12 we would have broken the record for most consecutive seasons of one club finishing higher than the other. I think we were on 11 or 12 seasons in a row.

Naturally, we fucked it up in glorious fashion.

It was 11 in a row. 1990-2000 Weds 19th Prem, Utd 16h Chumpionship (sic), we then finished above them as you said until 2011-12.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Pleasure
Allus on the ball for that kind of stuff, BF

Looking forward to you reciprocating.
Admittedly, they are few and far between but some creep in now and again, especially if I am thumb typing on the moby and that auto correct feller sticks his bloody oar in

Me too Kenny.
Problem is, I've become a little obsessed with it.
I used to love patting myself on the back for making a bit of a funny/sarcy comment at someone else's literary expense but now I just hate myself for it.....dun't seem to stop me though

 

[BladeFisher]

Me too Kenny.
Problem is, I've become a little obsessed with it.
I used to love patting myself on the back for making a bit of a funny/sarcy comment at someone else's literary expense but now I just hate myself for it.....dun't seem to stop me though

Mine's just old age!!

 

[Kenilworth]

Me too Kenny. Problem is, I've become a little obsessed with it.
I used to love patting myself on the back for making a bit of a funny/sarcy comment at someone else's literary expense but now I just hate myself for it.....dun't seem to stop me though

I don't pat missen on the back - don't hate missen for it, either - just snigger and sip me tea
I like seeing those that others have spotted, as well. It's one of the joys of the English language

 

[Kenilworth]

Mine's just old age!!

It were a good OP, though, Fishy

Just tek it as a compliment that someone reads your nicely prepared (albeit flawed) text with such scrutiny.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

"I don't know why it is (just happens to coincide with my life time, typical) but perhaps the fault lies with the directors of the club. Are directors of the two Sheffield clubs just too small minded? There is certainly the support in the city and the fan base is there."

You got it there pal. Can't speak for the pigs, but it's certainly the case for us, fourth rate board, first class fans.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If Wendy's got promoted to PL, how would United respond? Would it give us the kick up the arse we need and finally get the club moving forward actually investing properly in new talent? Or will our frustration at falling further behind them be too much bear and would we tear ourselves apart trying to catch them. Thus rendering the Bramall lane hot seat as the biggest poison chalice in football?

 

[Cyprus Blade]

If you look back to the 1938/39 season where we beat the pigs to promotion by a point thanks to a 6-1 home win v Spurs in the last match there are some echoes of the current situation. Albeit there was a world war the pigs were consigned to div 2 until the 1950 season and flirted with the drop to the third. The difference between then and now is finance. Now it is about TV money and wealthy backers and not gate money. Our failure to clinch promotion in that ill-fated season when Evans got sent down has cost us and will continue to cost us and the financial gulf is going to grow and grow. The Board and Coaching staff have to deliver sooner rather than later or it will become unbridgeable and we will play the County to their Forest.

 

[Roygbiv]

If Wendy's got promoted to PL, how would United respond? Would it give us the kick up the arse we need and finally get the club moving forward actually investing properly in new talent? Or will our frustration at falling further behind them be too much bear and would we tear ourselves apart trying to catch them. Thus rendering the Bramall lane hot seat as the biggest poison chalice in football?

If 5 years in league one can't kick our board into action then nothing will. I really don't see much hope for the future with McCabe and co in charge as they've shown time and time again they don't learn from their mistakes. Easier to put it down to bad luck I suppose

 

[BladeFisher]

"I don't know why it is (just happens to coincide with my life time, typical) but perhaps the fault lies with the directors of the club. Are directors of the two Sheffield clubs just too small minded? There is certainly the support in the city and the fan base is there."

You got it there pal. Can't speak for the pigs, but it's certainly the case for us, fourth rate board, first class fans.

To look at the big picture, whilst I loathe Wednesday I can't deny that they have a healthy and loyal fan base as do we and this is a credit to both clubs but I do find it amazing that both of us under perform so badly and consistently so.

I have read (and on here too) that whilst Wednesday have a tendency to be arrogant and confident, we tend to be somewhat pessimistic and negative and I'd say that is true. But when you look at both clubs just why do they fail to achieve anything like their true potential?

For example I'll take two clubs that have blossomed since the 1960's when both emerged from the 'third division'; Coventry and Southampton. Now I know the former are now with us, but they consistently stayed in the top tier year after year (from 1967-68 to 2000-01), whilst United and Wednesday careered up and down. Southampton are another. Both have won trophies.....and we haven't. City have their own problems and the ground thing didn't help them but for their fan base I think that they have over achieved.

 

[Finnieston]

If 5 years in league one can't kick our board into action then nothing will. I really don't see much hope for the future with McCabe and co in charge as they've shown time and time again they don't learn from their mistakes. Easier to put it down to bad luck I suppose

United are only an avenue for making large sums of money for others.
No more no less.........good player sold...........good player sold............good player sold etc. To much of a coincidence for two many years. Who is wrong them for selling or us for repeatedly going. .......Someone,s taking the piss me thinks.

 

[Kenilworth]

Cov had Jimmy Hill. A forward thinking, progressive agent of change.

Our board thought that an investment in the South Stand would be enough and neglected the playing side of things until it was way too late.

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

Thanks Kenilworth. Typo crept in there. Should have said 1966-67 not 1996-67!

2067... You could be looking 50 years ahead of course!?

 

[blade too long]

it is worth noting wednesday are setting a new record for years a sheffield club being outside the top division , with every season since leaving it in 2000, was 14 each before they set a new record last season with 15

if we say 7 or 8 is when you can count being a fan , able to take in whats going on, any owls fan under 21 will never have seen a top fllight game