Chris Basham testimonial

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Echoing a few on here, but I’m very glad that I went to this and was able to show appreciation to the greatest group of players I’ve seen in my lifetime, and probably will never see the like again. I took my nephew, who is 7 and was born just after the 16/17 season, so I had great delight in telling him about each player and how brilliant they were. He already adores Sharp, but hopefully he’ll be telling his mates about Coutts, Duffy, Fleck, Freeman, Jags, Kenny, Brown, Clarke and the rest.

Huge, huge credit to the club for putting this on and attracting a healthy crowd for a worthy cause. Some round us were youngish lads, possible Wednesday fans, and were there to see the YouTubers which meant more money in the Weston Park kitty which otherwise wouldn’t have happened had they not catered to a wider audience.

I think the emotion of today, especially the minutes applause for Baldock and Bash walking out with his shirt, really made me appreciate Wilder more. He’s come in for some (maybe justified) stick in the last month, but he’ll always be an absolute giant at the club. I just hope we can do the business this month, cos he doesn’t deserve to have his reputation tainted if we don’t go up.
 
Grey Blade said:
I found the afternoon quite emotional - from the tributes to George Baldock to the realisation that I will never feel as attached to a group of players again.

I doubt there will ever be players like Sharp and Bash who've played here so long. If we're promoted there's talk of all the players we'll need to bring in but if we aren't, it's talk of the players who will leave - I can't see it ever changing now that money rules
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I remember saying we'd never get out of League One with players like Basham. I didn't even dislike him I just saw him as emblematic of our mediocrity - average utility player that stood out in nothing. Seeing him progress with the club from the pits of League One to the top half of the Prem...there's just too much to be sentimental about that, and we're still feeling the effects in that any success we get even this season will be built on the likes of Basham that dragged us up the leagues with sheer force of will at times.
 
PokerBlade said:
I remember saying we'd never get out of League One with players like Basham. I didn't even dislike him I just saw him as emblematic of our mediocrity - average utility player that stood out in nothing. Seeing him progress with the club from the pits of League One to the top half of the Prem...there's just too much to be sentimental about that, and we're still feeling the effects in that any success we get even this season will be built on the likes of Basham that dragged us up the leagues with sheer force of will at times.
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Great summary of exactly why he’s such a legend. Timely reminder he was also player of the year in the 9th placed prem season!
 
Came back to Sheffield from Spain for the weekend for the last match,got the bonus of the bash game .Sat in BL lower and enjoyed it immensely .was strangely emotional and full of tears and laughter.just the over loud PA system nearly deafening me to moan about.

Seeing Billy score the extraordinary scissor kick reminded us a of his quality and Leon doing what he did so well..

Thanks Bash..what you lacked in quality as a footballer never showed as you worked so damn hard to be classed as one of our best ever
 
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The whole afternoon was really well done and a very nice atmosphere. Football-wise, Jags definitely carried a pretty dull first half with his antics coming out from goal. Second half was much more entertaining.

I thought there was a risk of the second half being spoiled by ‘comedy bantz’ of bringing on too many players, Bracknall bringing himself on etc etc. But actually it was pretty well judged and added to the entertainment.

Well done to everyone involved. A proper send off for Bash and others, a lot of money raised for a good cause, and I imagine everyone had a good time.
 
Was James Beattie there? He was announced in the lineups but I didnt see him.
 

PokerBlade said:
I remember saying we'd never get out of League One with players like Basham. I didn't even dislike him I just saw him as emblematic of our mediocrity - average utility player that stood out in nothing. Seeing him progress with the club from the pits of League One to the top half of the Prem...there's just too much to be sentimental about that, and we're still feeling the effects in that any success we get even this season will be built on the likes of Basham that dragged us up the leagues with sheer force of will at times.
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To be fair a lot felt like that because when he first came it was as a midfielder. The move to wingback / back three and our style of play transformed him in to one of the most important players in that fantastic team and a player capable of playing in the Premier League. The other aspects you mention we all agree with. He's a top and genuine bloke who deserved everything he achieved and we were lucky to have for so long.
 
Anyone see Terry Kennedy come on? I underestimated the demand, and ended up in the Lower tier in row C, and a crap view. Honestly thought I'd purchased in the BLUT but it was closed.
 
Sounds like the 2nd half was a good un! Unfortunately, due to the delayed start and us having a prior booking at 3pm, we had to leave at half time, which was a shame! Daughter enjoyed her first visit to Bramall Lane though and it was a really well organised event for good causes 👍
 
What a great afternoon!, loved it. Great to see all the lads together again, back on the pitch. Good cause as well.

I've been going to the lane for over 50 years, and that group of players is probably my favourite ever, something just "clicked" for them and they took us on that incredible journey.

Paul Coutts looked like he could pull the shirt on and play for us tomorrow, still calm on the ball, still bossing midfield, and as we all know, one thing that will never change. Billy. Sharp. Scores. Goals.

Seeing them all together, one last time, priceless.
 
I'm embarrassed to say that my friend and I struggled to identify some of the players. Our worst faux pax was thinking kieron Freeman was Didzy! Stupid really as we'd both seen him playing at Harrogate a week earlier - albeit closer to the pitch at Hg. I think we were misled by their similar lack of hair but their style of play should have have been the deciding factor - incidentally Didzy controlled the Notts County midfield and brought back happy memories
 
Grey Blade said:
I found the afternoon quite emotional - from the tributes to George Baldock to the realisation that I will never feel as attached to a group of players again.

I doubt there will ever be players like Sharp and Bash who've played here so long. If we're promoted there's talk of all the players we'll need to bring in but if we aren't, it's talk of the players who will leave - I can't see it ever changing now that money rules
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I think it will be difficult now, largely because any successful team would presumably be full of foreigners. That's the way the game has gone and also the demand of a lot of our supporters. Which is a shame because I don't think it could ever create that same connection with the fans.

I just wish they'd been given the opportunity to finish that 19/20 season properly, so that we could show our appreciation and maybe even celebrate us finally earning European football. If they'd have done it (and I think they would), they'd have been legends of Bramall Lane forever.
 
Very entertaining match yesterday. Shame Enda didn't even get a mention when he came on. Also didn't see James Beattie or a couple of others that I'm sure Gary Sinclair name checked before the game.

But was hard to keep track in fairness.

Excellent day for a good cause.
 
Decided not to go as money is tight and it's saved me a 3rd of the cost of my ticket for Bristol City at home in the playoffs, but honestly sort of regretting that choice reading all the comments on here. Sounds like it was a cracking afternoon. Fair play to all involved (even Bracknall, who looked like he took it all in good spirit).

Hoping there'll be some video highlights etc put out by the club soon.
 
Grey Blade said:
I'm embarrassed to say that my friend and I struggled to identify some of the players. Our worst faux pax was thinking kieron Freeman was Didzy! Stupid really as we'd both seen him playing at Harrogate a week earlier - albeit closer to the pitch at Hg. I think we were misled by their similar lack of hair but their style of play should have have been the deciding factor - incidentally Didzy controlled the Notts County midfield and brought back happy memories
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They do look like twins to be fair
 
blackydog said:
Anyone see Terry Kennedy come on? I underestimated the demand, and ended up in the Lower tier in row C, and a crap view. Honestly thought I'd purchased in the BLUT but it was closed.
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You wouldn’t have seen it pal but they opened the upper corner because of the amount of people turning up on the day
 
Not sure if it’s been mentioned earlier, but I thought Steve Bracknall was the perfect choice for the ‘opposition’ gaffer. Added an element of comedy to it. He might be pork afflicted, but he got the occasion & added another element to what was always going to be a good day anyway.

Fair fucks.

 

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