This list is very subjective, as are all these kinds of things. The first players listed may well indeed have been better than others higher up the list, but as I never had the pleasure of seeing, for example, "Nudger" Needham play then I can't really rate him in my Top Ten.
Nor does this list mention players who were indeed greats elsewhere, but had little or no impact for us. Ian Rush was one of the greatest players Liverpool had, but when we had him on loan from Newcastle he covered about eight square inches in the centre circle. So he's not there, and there's no room for Jimmy Johnstone or Paul McGrath either.
The first players are either ones that I never saw play, or only saw very little or don't remember much. It's only when it gets to the 30's that it gets more personal. And it's only the Top Ten that I've got in order. The rest is just too hard, and constantly changing.
With thanks for a few nudges of my memory to Tony, Tezza, and the
www.sheff-utd.co.uk forum members, especially Silverfox. Cheers.
So here goes.
50. Fred Tunstall
Scored the only goal in the 1925 FA Cup final, the last time we won it! 129 goals in 437 games, from 1920 to 1931. Not too bad for a left winger.
49. Billy Gillespie
United's most capped player, this Irish international went on to manage Derry City. He played for the Blades for nineteen years. Derry held him in such high regard they changed their kit to red and white stripes.
48. Derek "Doc" Pace
He switched to centre-forward when we signed him in 1957, and in 253 matches he scored 140. Short for a forward at only 5'8", Pace scored amazing headers and also with both feet.
47. Graham Shaw
439 appearances in sixteen years, Graham Shaw was one of the best left backs United have ever had.
46. Joe Shaw
Joe Shaw is viewed by many older Blades as the best player we ever had. As I didn't see him play then I can't really comment, but as a man who played for us for twenty-one years that says a lot. 632 league appearances for us, and 53 cup matches. Both club records. He played for us more than anybody else, and his appearance records are highly unlikely to ever be broken.
45. Gil Reece
I was four when Gil Reece left United in 1972 after 210 appearances and 58 goals. Many Blades older than me go all misty-eyed when they speak about him. A plumber who went on to play for Wales, he was a central part of the 70/71 promotion side.
44. Cec Coldwell
Cec Coldwell was to many people of a certain age synonymous with Sheffield United. Player, captian, coach and caretaker manager, he played for us for over 600 matches. He was captain of possibly the greatest ever Blades side, that which won promotion in 1961.
43. Ernest "Nudger" Needham
Nudger was indeed a player from a bygone age. Footballer, county cricketer for Derbyshire for 186 games, he played for United in their first seasons until he retired in 1910. He captained the side to two FA cup victories, in 1899 and 1902. 554 appearances for United, and wearer of possibly one of the finest moustaches in football.
42. William "Fatty" Foulke
Literally a giant of a man, "Fatty" was United's goalkeeper for 299 matches from 1894 to 1905, until he left for Chelsea. The tales about him are legendary. Tipping the scales at well over 20 stone by the end of his career - some reports put it at as much as 24! - and 6'4" he was, as the book about him by Graham Phythian calls him a "Colossus". He chased a referee into the dressing room, forcing him to hide in a cupboard. He turned a player upside down and also wasn't above chucking opposing players who upset him into his goal. The chant "Who ate all the pies" is rumoured to be about him too!
41. Jimmy Hagan
Another legend. Jimmy played for us for nearly 20 years, making 361 appearances and scoring 117 goals. He is also, it's said, the man who designed the badge United have on their shirts. He scored his first hat-trick in 1939, in the last match of the season. The Blades needed victory to be promoted. We won 6-1, and Jimmy scored one of them. And the team that missed out because of our victory? Sheffield Wednesday. He went on to manage, amongst others, Benfica, presiding over their 72-73 season without defeat, including 23 consecutive victories.
40. Eddie Colquhoun
We still sing his name now, over 30 years after his last appearance for us in 1978. 416 appearances at centre back in ten years, and played in the 70-71 promotion side.
39. Len Badger
Len came through the ranks, and made 457 league appearances in 13 years. But for George Cohen and Keith Newton he would probably have played for England, but had to make do with the youth and under-23 caps. Another gifted right back, he is regarded by many Blades as one of our finest players not to win a full cap.
38. Mick Jones
A United apprentice, Mick scored 63 goals in 149 appearances before he went, as many of our players seemed to go, to Leeds in 1967 for £100,000. Manager John Harris said it would be "the worst mistake the club had ever made." Not for the last time did a manager say words along those lines to the United board either....
37. Ted Hemsley
Edward John Orton Hemsley was a professional cricketer for Worcestershire, but as simple Ted, because Blades don't go in for that posh name stuff, he was an integral part of the 70-71 promotion side. At left-back he reigned supreme for United for nine years.
36. Trevor Hockey
Trevor Hockey wore the finest beard ever to grace Bramall Lane. He only played for United for two years before a broken leg virtually ended his time at Bramall Lane, but his play - win it, pass to Currie - made him a firm favourite amongst Blades fans.
35. Alan Birchenall
He started his much-travelled career with us, before going on to play for, amongst others, Chelsea and Leicester City, where he now works as a match-day host. An attacking midfielder, he scored 31 goals in 107 appearances.
34. Alan Hodgkinson
"Hodgy" was only 5 feet 9 inches, almost a midget for a goalkeeper, but he excelled for us. He made 675 appearances in his 17 years with United, and went on to become a successful goalkeeping coach, credited with bringing Schmeichel to Manchester United.
33. Alex Sabella
When he was on form, Sabella was fantastic. No shinpads, shirt hanging out, and superb ball control the little Argentine could work wonders, but often flattered to deceive. Played for the Blades for two years, and was sold to Leeds when we were relegated to the old Third Division in 1980. And we only signed him because our board wouldn't let the manager sign one Diego Maradona.
32. Tony Kenworthy.
Made over 400 appearances for United, and with a goal tally of 39 still holds the record for most goals by a United defender. Plus he's one of the players who really made me a Blade. I have no idea why, but Tony Kenworthy helped shape my footballing allegiance. That and my Granny brainwashing me as a small child....
31. Vinnie Jones
Hollywood hard man Vinnie only had one season at Bramall Lane. and apparently didn't like it, but I'm one of the Blades who was glad to see him arrive and sad to see him go.
30. Ian Bryson
One of Dave Basset's promotion sides, plus he scored against Wednesday. That'll do for me.
29. Rob Kozluk
"Kozzy". Eight years at Bramall Lane. Right back and occasional left back. And funny as hell. As Sir Neil Warnock remarked, "Every side needs a Kozzy."
28. Carl Asaba
23 goals form 67 appearances doesn't say it all. Has a place in our hearts for the winner in a 2-1 game at Hillsborough. Cheers Carl.
27. Adrian Littlejohn
Another in a long line of small Blades, Littlejohn seemed so fast he could have lapped the Roadrunner.
26. Mel Rees
Dave Bassett had already signed two great keepers for United and in Welshman Mel Rees he made it three. However Mel made only nine appearances for United, as his life was tragically ended by cancer at the age of just 26.
Gone, but never forgotten.
25. Shaun Murphy
United Player of the Year in 2001, Murphy was a solid defender, playing 158 times for the Blades and scoring 9 goals. An Australian international, he even scored against the mighty Brazil.
24. Jan Age Fjortoft
Another player who became a favourite with the Kop, Fjortoft's aeroplane goal celebrations were simply magnificent. Although he only played 34 games for United he scored 19 goals, and was controversially sold at the same time as Brian Deane, prompting the resignation of manager Nigel Spackman.
23. Dean Saunders
He might well have had better days at other clubs, but Saunders is fondly remembered for his cheeky throw-in. With no Blades players in support, he threw the ball in against the retreating Port Vale keeper's back, then scored from the rebound. Funny, quality, and still talked about by Blades now.
22. Glyn Hodges
Another one of Dave Bassett's ex Crazy Gang signings, Hodges was a winger who some might say was mercurial. Blades tended to go for "Good when he can be bothered". Capable of excellent football, and sometimes just so frustrating to watch, his quality moments were worth it. Just!
21. Nick Montgomery
This just might be the most argued about name on this list. Monty divides opinion amongst Blades like no other player in recent years. Some dislike him, some hate him with a passion. Me? I'm one of those who think he can be worth his weight in gold. He might not be the best passer of the ball, but he is always guaranteed to give his all for the team, every minute of every game. A total trier, and on his day a very good defensive midfielder.
20. Peter Ndlovu
Ah, Nuddy and his gloves. Played for us 114 times, and scored 25 goals, including during the 02/03 season of two cup semi finals and a play off final. Fast down the wing, when he wasn't on his bum anyway.
19. Paul Peschisolido
Short, and not very athletic looking, Pescy was loved by the Bramall Lane crowd. Often a substitute, viewed by many as THE supersub, another player who tried his hardest no matter what. And at Old Trafford against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi final he made David Seaman make what just might be the finest save of his career.
18. Alan Cork
"He's got no hair and we don't care, Alan Alan Cork." Last Blade to score at Wembley, and owner of Second Finest United Beard, Corky was, or at least seemed to be, 173 years old when Sir Dave Bassett signed him from, you guessed it, Wimbledon. He managed two seasons in the Premier League for us, and scored against the Pigs at Wembley. Not too bad for a player older than the rest of the team put together.
17. James Beattie
Still United's record signing. Signed from Everton by possibly United's second worst manager ever after Adrian Heath, Beattie managed to score 34 goals in just 62 games. Sure, some were penalties, but they still need knocking in. We only sold him because of the financial need, a situation we've been in before and will very probably be in again one day. And he wasn't lazy either.
16. Derek Geary
Del-Boy Geary is only three and a half feet tall, and weighs four stone seven wet through. Yet his tenacity as a defender, rampaging runs down the wing from left- or right-back positions won us over. Yes, he had played for Wendy, but he was obviously one of us that we took him to our hearts. Currently recovering from injury, we want him back in the side if only to see him get the better of six foot six opponents. Actually, he's 5'6", and is taller than some of the ball boys at Bramall Lane. Not many though....
15. Michael Tonge
Not the Tonge who left for Stoke, the Tonge of 02/03 who terrorised defences. The Michael Tonge who mesmerised Liverpool, and who single-handedly ripped Millwall apart. His form dipped in 2004 and many would argue has never been the same, but for a couple of years he was fantastic.
14. Michael Brown
The other Michael who played in midfield during the "Glory Season" of 02/03, Browny scored 105 goals from 250 appearances, including 24 in 02/03, which saw him named Player of the Year ahead of Michael Tonge. The "Oh Lord, Michael Brown" chant was often heard at the Lane. Scored a peach of a goal against Wednesday too. He's never seemed to capture the form he showed at United in subsequent spells at Spurs, Fulham and Wigan.
13. Stuart McCall
Yet another midfielder from the 02/03 side, many thought McCall had merely come to United for a last payday. They were wrong. 71 games despite being in his late 30's, McCall was just short of 41 when he retired. He wasn't flamboyant for united, he just did the simple things, and made them look easy, which they quite obviously weren't. The archetypal "midfield general".
12. Simon Tracey
The second of Dave Bassett's goalkeepers on this list, Tracey played one game at Wimbledon before 332 appearances for United. He played every game of the 1989 promotion season and was the first choice keeper in Division One. Only Alan Kelly kept Tracey out of the United side, and he went out on loan, but was pretty disastrous for the clubs he was at. For United though he was outstanding, and finally retired after injury and the arrival of Paddy Kenny in 2002. His transfer fee from Wimbledon to the lane was £75,000 - a lot for a keeper who had only one appearance in four years for the Dons. It was a bargain.
11. Colin Morris
240 appearances and 67 goals from his six years with the Blades. Colin Morris was an entertaining right winger whose crosses usually had Keith Edwards on the end of them, and often ended in a goal. Ho seemed to love taking on the opposition. And no other player in United's history has scored as many penalties for us, so I am told. Nor missed as many either! His son played for United too.
