'Memries' Adrian Littlejohn – Rumbelows sprint challenge

[LoughboroBlade]

This came up on the Guardian podcast yesterday and refreshed the memory of something I'd completely forgotten about.

For those not familiar, this was a 100m sprint competition in 1992 open to players from all of the top four divisions, with the incentive of a £10k prize for the final (a lot in the pre-Premier League days, especially for a 4th Division club), held at Wembley as part of the league cup final entertainment. Winners of the regional completions went to Wembley for the final.

Adrian Littlejohn reached it, making him the only player to appear on the Wembley turf in Sheffield United kit during a cup final since 1936, and during a league cup final ever.

 

[Geordie Blade]

I think I remember an interview from Littlejohn around that time where he said that John Pemberton was the quickest at SUFC. Top five fastest Blades? I'll go for:

1. Andy Campbell
2. Luton Shelton
3. John Pemberton
4. Andy Scott
5. Adrian Littlejohn

 

[Revolution]

I didn't watch that game but I remember being annoyed by the result, as had Forest won Man Utd would have taken the Pigs spot in the UEFA Cup.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I liked Adrian Littlejohn, he scored a number of important goals for us and wasn't a bad partner for Deano.

And he lived next door to me for a while and he was a really nice bloke with a lovely family (apart from the thick brummie accents).

 

[Sothall_Blade]

This came up on the Guardian podcast yesterday and refreshed the memory of something I'd completely forgotten about.

For those not familiar, this was a 100m sprint competition in 1992 open to players from all of the top four divisions, with the incentive of a £10k prize for the final (a lot in the pre-Premier League days, especially for a 4th Division club), held at Wembley as part of the league cup final entertainment. Winners of the regional completions went to Wembley for the final.

Adrian Littlejohn reached it, making him the only player to appear on the Wembley turf in Sheffield United kit during a cup final since 1936, and during a league cup final ever.

Also the first of many Blades since 1936 to reach Wembley and then disappoint on the big stage (5th).

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I think I remember an interview from Littlejohn around that time where he said that John Pemberton was the quickest at SUFC. Top five fastest Blades? I'll go for:

1. Andy Campbell
2. Luton Shelton
3. John Pemberton
4. Andy Scott
5. Adrian Littlejohn

No Steve Kabba?
Ndlovu might trouble that list too.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I think I remember an interview from Littlejohn around that time where he said that John Pemberton was the quickest at SUFC. Top five fastest Blades? I'll go for:

1. Andy Campbell
2. Luton Shelton
3. John Pemberton
4. Andy Scott
5. Adrian Littlejohn

No Steve Kabba?
Ndlovu might trouble that list too.

Kyle Walker and Franz Carr too?

 

[Geordie Blade]

No Steve Kabba?
Ndlovu might trouble that list too.

They were both 'jinky' on the ball, but I don't think they were as quick as the other five in a straight line. Ndlovu had slowed a bit by the time he came to us - he seemed pretty quick when he first arrived at Coventry.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Kyle Walker and Franz Carr too?

Walker surely. That bloke was like lightening. Carr was quick but I always thought he was more quick of foot (like Brandy and JCR) than having a full on breakneck sprint speed.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Kyle Walker and Franz Carr too?

It's funny, but I don't remember Walker being quick at all when he played for us. He seemed pretty solid and could get forwards, but never seemed overly quick. I don't know whether he's got quicker over time, or whether our style didn't really allow for his runs.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It's funny, but I don't remember Walker being quick at all when he played for us. He seemed pretty solid and could get forwards, but never seemed overly quick. I don't know whether he's got quicker over time, or whether our style didn't really allow for his runs.

I always thought he was exceptionally quick "once he got going" i.e. not as quick as some over 5 yards but over say 40 yards, he outstripped every opponent he came up against.

Henri Camara was another quick one but was getting on when we signed him.

Michael O'Halloran was also very quick. Just an atrocious footballer.

 

[INTERUNITED]

George Donis and David White could shift a bit!!

 

[Geordie Blade]

George Donis and David White could shift a bit!!

Good call. George "The Adonis" Donis was very, very quick (I think he'd pip Littlejohn to the fifth spot, maybe even go above Andy Scott), and David White was a lot faster than he looked.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I think I remember an interview from Littlejohn around that time where he said that John Pemberton was the quickest at SUFC. Top five fastest Blades? I'll go for:

1. Andy Campbell
2. Luton Shelton
3. John Pemberton
4. Andy Scott
5. Adrian Littlejohn

I reckon Shelton would beat Capmbell with a good dip on the line.

Jagielka must be up there too, he's often in Premier League 'top 10 recorded sprint speed' lists.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Silent Blade is going to appear and mention Colin Collindridge at some point soon.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

George Donis and David White could shift a bit!!

He could do with shifting a bit now.

 

[N20 Blade]

I liked Adrian Littlejohn, he scored a number of important goals for us and wasn't a bad partner for Deano.

And he lived next door to me for a while and he was a really nice bloke with a lovely family (apart from the thick brummie accents).

Agreed; he was arguably the most natural partner for Deano apart from Tony Agana, he scored some important goals especially the one against the Pigs at the Lane. Seem to remember a goal against Liverpool too? From memory it was quite short lived, was it injury, loss of form or a fallout with DB?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I seem to remember Chris Short being quick too.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It's funny, but I don't remember Walker being quick at all when he played for us

Quickest instance of his pace I witnessed was 2nd half in the playoff final when he sprinted back to make up for a right balls-up of his own making. His pace has helped rescue him over the years.

 

[Grappler]

It's funny, but I don't remember Walker being quick at all when he played for us. He seemed pretty solid and could get forwards, but never seemed overly quick. I don't know whether he's got quicker over time, or whether our style didn't really allow for his runs.

Never forget his run from our goal, all the way to the opposition box and put a great cross in for Greg Halford to head home and send us to Wembley.

 

[I should coco]

What about

Neil Shipperly, Billy Tightshirt, Higdon or a certain Mr Foulke esq?

You did say 'fattest', didn't you?

 

[cooperblade]

I think I remember an interview from Littlejohn around that time where he said that John Pemberton was the quickest at SUFC. Top five fastest Blades? I'll go for:

1. Andy Campbell
2. Luton Shelton
3. John Pemberton
4. Andy Scott
5. Adrian Littlejohn

There was a female coach working at United at some point in the early 90s (think she was a sprinter) and she said that Pemberton had the perfect sprinting technique and could've been an Olympian if he'd chosen athletics over football.

Is Andy Campbell the quickest ginger in history?

 

[Wards]

Yep, if I remember right Littlejohn took the spot due to an injury keeping Pembo out of the qualifiers. I vividly remember watching it up at my nans wondering what the hell it was all about!

Shelton was also like shit off a stick too - he'd have done Walker and I reckon head to head with Pemberton. Andy Campbell and Littlejohn not far behind.

 

[JohnDenver]

I reckon head to head with Pemberton. Andy Campbell and Littlejohn not far behind.

Andy Campbell would be running in the wrong direction.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Quickest instance of his pace I witnessed was 2nd half in the playoff final when he sprinted back to make up for a right balls-up of his own making. His pace has helped rescue him over the years.

Walker and Naughtons first half performance v Preston in the Play Off semis was the best display of attacking full backs Ive ever seen for United. They were like the red arrows up and down that wing. We should have been out of sight.

 

[Silent Blade]

Silent Blade is going to appear and mention Colin Collindridge at some point soon.

Yes as both older Wendy and Blades fans would tell me.

Also
Eddie Colquhoun
Colin Franks (won a 100m sprint for fastest footballers)
Geoff Salmons
Brian Smith
Tony Agana
John Francis
Chris Short

 

[Silent Blade]

This came up on the Guardian podcast yesterday and refreshed the memory of something I'd completely forgotten about.

For those not familiar, this was a 100m sprint competition in 1992 open to players from all of the top four divisions, with the incentive of a £10k prize for the final (a lot in the pre-Premier League days, especially for a 4th Division club), held at Wembley as part of the league cup final entertainment. Winners of the regional completions went to Wembley for the final.

Adrian Littlejohn reached it, making him the only player to appear on the Wembley turf in Sheffield United kit during a cup final since 1936, and during a league cup final ever.

Only 11.48 secs? A boy at my boarding school could did it at 11.0 in 1975

 

[N20 Blade]

Yes as both older Wendy and Blades fans would tell me.

Also
Eddie Colquhoun
Colin Franks (won a 100m sprint for fastest footballers)
Geoff Salmons
Brian Smith
Tony Agana
John Francis
Chris Short

Yes John Francis was seriously fast, always wish we hadn't sold him to Burnley! He was built like a boxer.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Only 11.48 secs? A boy at my boarding school could did it at 11.0 in 1975

On grass in football boots, though?

 

[Silent Blade]

On grass in football boots, though?

Fair enough.