First time

[Isaw Joeshaw]

To me it's about family, tradition and belonging. My grandfather who died years before I was born was 16 when Sheffield United were formed. He lived on Alexandra Rd where Heeley City Farm is now.
As 'The Wednesday' had chosen to leave the city ( Hillsborough and Owlerton were not within the city of Sheffield boundaries at that time ) he chose to support the Sheffield team.

Sheffield United are my club, there was no choice involved, it was simply a fact. Your dad takes you down the Lane to see Hagan play and you belong.

I actually feel a certain amount of pity for the bandwagon jumpers who decide to ' support ' a team based on their likelihood of success. What happens when they go through a barren period? All they had in terms of 'loyalty' was the guarantee of trophy's.Lose that even for a few seasons and what else have you got?

When you see a fellow Blade anywhere in the world you know that they are the real deal. Okay, they're obviously barmy, but in a good way.

My family's loyalties could not have been further apart . My grandfather , who was probably the nicest human being I ever met , was a dyed in the wool Wednesday fan whereas my dad was a passionate Blade who hated Wednesday with every fibre of his being , which was somewhat unusual back then .

Anyway , in the late 1940's I used to spend every Saturday with my grandparents and , as previously posted , my granddad would often take me to Hillsborough on the strict understanding that I was NEVER to tell my dad . To be fair , they had some good players at that time and I particularly remember Eddie Quigley and Eddie Kilshaw who were both signed from Bury as being very talented , and I watched some very enjoyable games with him .

Fortunately , my dad got there first by taking me to the Lane in December 1947 to watch us beat Chelsea 3-1 and that was game over for me , in terms of where my loyalties were going to lie for the rest of my life .

In spite of all the disappointments along the way , I've never regretted that decision for a single moment .

 

[Topplayersleave]

A school friend of mine changed from Blade to Pig.
I remember seeing him some years after leaving school at Charlton Athletic, (probably in the mid eighties) following United and fighting with anybody he could

Next thing I know it's 1990 ish, he's moved into our area and started drinking in the local pub, a fully paid up member of the fucking OCS
What a fucking tosser, even though he's dead now

 

[Northyorksblade]

So many of us 'foreigners' go to the Lane once and are hooked, although the game I got hooked on, was away at Bradford City in a cup game.

 

[Maidenhead]

I’m constantly having to explain why I’m a blade...or the connection at least, as I’m from Barnsley, live in Leeds (& work on Elland Road - luckily it’s at the opposite end to the leeds ground) but my Grandad was a blade and had 3 daughters so took them to the lane and my mum carried on the tradition !

Hey, you don't work at Crispin's do you?

(shameless attempt at obtaining discount footcare)

 

[HighfieldBlade]

The first football shirt my mum bought me was from Jack Archer's sports shop on Bramall Lane...she didn't realise it was a wendy shirt! True story.

 

[Bayingblade]

My Grandfather on my mothers side was a Wednesday fan but never went. Consequently, my mum was ambivalent...…….

Until she married my Dad. His father was a Blade and went back to Nudger Needham later in his career. He was in the biggest crowd ever at the Lane for the Leeds cup game. My Dad followed in his footsteps and my mum was slowly drawn in until they both had ST's. This is why I'm a Blade and Little BB is fourth generation. Followers of the dark side have thankfully, been bred out of the family.