Taking a step back, over the past twenty years we seem to have had our ups and downs more than most, and been in the headlines for a variety of reasons.
Looking at the timeline with a rough summary (please correct or add anything):
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2002: Battle of Bramall Lane: We have several players sent off and injured so have to forfeit the game for the first time in English footballing history
2003: Triple Assault season: Reached two semi-finals and lose in the play-offs
2006: Promoted to the Premier League
2007: Relegated from the Premier League on the last day of the season with a dramatic devastating loss on the final day to Wigan. Carlos Tevez transfer saga commences.
2007-8: Warnock departs, Robson comes in who is sacked several months later and replaced by Blackwell. Transfer fee broken for James Beattie at £4 million who scores 22 goals. Defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup courtesy of 'balloongate'. Just missed out on play-offs despite fine form end of season.
2008-9: Beattie is sold to Stoke in January having contracted 'flu'. Missed out narrowly on automatic promotion (Kevin Phillips 90th minute strike on the opening day of the season for Birmingham against us being ever so costly) and lost in the play-off final to Burnley with Jamie Ward being sent off as a substitute. Naughton and Walker dramatically under-sold to Spurs as a consequence. SUFC receive £20 million compensation from West Ham in out of court settlement to end Carlos Tevez affair.
2010-11: Blackwell sacked after just two league games. Speed promoted to manager but leaves after a few months for Wales. Carver takes over for the Christmas period as part of the interview process, but Micky Adams preferred and appointed in January. Britton and Bartley leave replaced by Collins and Doyle. Relegation follows, Adams sacked. Reached the FA Youth Cup Final in front of a record 30,000 fans at Bramall lane.
2011-12: Wednesday favourite Danny Wilson brought in to mass protests. In November 2011 former manager and player Gary Speed tragically died in suspected suicide (RIP). SUFC featured in channel 4 documentary showing dodgy dealers attempting to buy our club. On course for automatic promotion until 1-0 loss to MK Dons and collapse following Ched Evans' rape conviction. Defeated in play off final to Huddersfield on penalties, despite them missing several first.
2012-13: Wilson sacked whilst we were in the hunt for automatic promotion following poor run of form. Replaced by club legend Chris Morgan, and then we go on to lose in the play-offs to Yeovil.
2013-14: David Weir given first professional job following retirement from Everton. Build the team around Kevin McDonald, who is then sold suddenly to Wolves due to a little known clause in his contract. Put in worst run in history and sacked after only three months. Replaced by Nigel Clough who put in a club record for straight wins and reaches the semi-final in the FA Cup with a thrilling 5-3 defeat to Hull ending the run. Prince Abdullah buys 50% stake in club for £1 and becomes co-owner with Kevin McCabe promising new investment.
2014-15: Defeated Premier League Southampton and took a modicum of revenge in a penalty shoot out win against West Ham at Upton Park (with Doyle mocking the home support) to make the League Cup semi final where Che Adams stars in our narrow loss to Spurs. Ched Evans released from prison. We offer him the chance to train, but following mass outrage from the media, political establishment (including the Prime Minister) and resignations from club patrons Jess Ennis and Charlie Webster we u-turn and retract that offer in humiliation. Lose in the play-offs following a ridiculous 5-5 draw with Swindon. Clough subsequently sacked.
2016-17: Adkins sacked after failing to make the play offs, with local lad Billy Sharp's resigning being the only highlight. Hammond paid off to leave in what has to be one of the worst transfers in the clubs history. Boyhood fan Chris Wilder is brought in, who almost immediately releases every single player out of contract and transfer lists Coutts and Freeman. Started dreadfully as we were at the foot of league one after several games, but recovered in spectacular style to win the league with 100 points. Meanwhile Ched Evans is cleared of rape in a re-trial.
2017-18: Ched Evans re-signs for the club, and conspiracy theories reign supreme. Leon Clarke is our star striker though, scoring 21 goals shocking the championship. We were on course for the play-offs or even higher until Coutts got his leg broken thanks to a shocking tackle by Sordell at Burton. The two co-owners fall out, starting the beginning of lengthy legal proceedings. Famously defeat Wednesday 4-2 at Hillborough in 'bouncing day'. Former academy Blade Harry Maguire stars for England at World Cup with Kyle Walker.
2018-19: David Brooks sold for a club record £12 million. Receive £5 million from sell on clause from Walker moving to Manchester City for £50 million. Gain promotion pipping rivals Leeds to the Premier League with revolutionary 'roaming centre backs' tactic which receives national acclaim. Wilder wins LMA manager of the year, ahead of Klopp and Guardiola.
2019: Record transfer fees broken several times. Prince Abdullah wins his legal battle to take full control of the club. Comments about Bin Laden family make national headlines. We start promisingly in the PL...
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This can't be normal can it?
UTB