If your not a Sheffielder, how did you come to support the Blades??

[Dublinblade]

North or Southside?

Southside

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

Born in Scotland, moved to Sheffield when I was 5. The United player Gerry Summers (this is 1960 ish) lived about 6 doors up from us. If we were playing with a ball on the road he would sometimes join in. Trying to get the ball off him was impossible. Not sure that many players would these days join a kick about on the road. To be fair, you don't see many kids playing footy on the road these days. Anyway, that small interaction with a player at that young age set a group of us on the path to being Blades.

 

[jt64]

Went to uni there, got cheap tickets in the Warnock era, with Stockport being a dumpster fire picking the Blades up seemed obvious

 

[corner_flag]

As a teenager, not much into football, I went to games near home in South London, Millwall or West Ham (boo) with various mates.

Moved to Yorkshire when I was 20, then finally ended up in Sharrow. Would see fans walk past on march day and could hear the roars from the ground. Made me want to start watching football again.

Alas my first season was relegation from the Championship. But I loved the club, stayed loyal and have raised a young Blade.

Great to see the club in the Prem, but hope the price for this is not losing what makes the club special.

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

I was born in Sheffield but left Sheffield before I became a Blade.

Moved away when I was 7 years old and my older brother changed his allegiance from the Blades to Scunny (where we had moved to)....I said in that case I was going to support the Blades!

Remember my first game being in March or April 85 and remember it for a freak snow storm...unless I dreamt it!

I always say my first game was Maidstone at home in the cup in 86 though. Remember everything about that day, and was fascinated by the red and white striped nets.

Have a one year old boy and really hope he comes to love football, and the Blades!

 

[Grey Blade]

I was brought up in a village between Harrogate and Leeds. My Dad wasn't interested in football, but my Grandad watched Huddersfield Town and he used to take my brother and I to odd games when we visited. Just before I started at secondary school we moved into Harrogate and came under the influence of York City, Bradford City ( I think Bradford Park Avenue were still a league club) and of course Leeds United.

My best Friend was a Leeds fan so it was obvious where I was going to go. I went to Uni in Sheffield from October 1971, ended up living in Ranmoor House on a corridor alongside a Blades fan, an unmentionable and a Tottenham fan. If Leeds were away I would watch whoever were playing at home in Sheffield. As my Uni days went by, I gradually started watching the Blades whenever I couldn't get to Leeds.

It started to dawn on me that there was a better, more friendly and less hostile atmosphere at Bramall Lane, and I suppose this realisation came to a head in 1975.

I was a final year student at Sheffield Uni in 75. If I could have, I would have gone to that game but fortunately didn't have enough money or tokens. It was embarrassing to see what the fans did after the game. As the 70s went on, I became increasingly fed up with the hostility within the stadium - I suppose the fact they were in decline didn't help the atmosphere.

During 1979 I left the area to work in Orkney, and for the next 7 years the only game I attended was the Cup winners cup final in Gothenburg, when Aberdeen beat Real Madrid. I left Orkney in summer 1986, and went to Leeds' first game of the season against Leicester. There was so much aggression and hostility around the ground that I never set foot there again until we beat them 4.0 a few years ago,

My issue was the fans. Ironically I now live opposite a leeds Fan and next door to him a Barnsley fan, both of whom are top blokes. The Barnsley fan was ecstatic when I arrived at his daughter's wedding reception, us just having beaten Ipswich and virtually ensured promotion ahead of Leeds!

I saw every game home and away in 2017 - I didn't think it could get any better.

 

[northsomersetblade]

I was brought up in a village between Harrogate and Leeds. My Dad wasn't interested in football, but my Grandad watched Huddersfield Town and he used to take my brother and I to odd games when we visited. Just before I started at secondary school we moved into Harrogate and came under the influence of York City, Bradford City ( I think Bradford Park Avenue were still a league club) and of course Leeds United.

My best Friend was a Leeds fan so it was obvious where I was going to go. I went to Uni in Sheffield from October 1971, ended up living in Ranmoor House on a corridor alongside a Blades fan, an unmentionable and a Tottenham fan. If Leeds were away I would watch whoever were playing at home in Sheffield. As my Uni days went by, I gradually started watching the Blades whenever I couldn't get to Leeds.

It started to dawn on me that there was a better, more friendly and less hostile atmosphere at Bramall Lane, and I suppose this realisation came to a head in 1975.



I saw every game home and away in 2017 - I didn't think it could get any better.

I was in Ranmoor - 5G8 - how can I ever forget - I still see it as it was in my head before they built whatever they put on it

 

[Grey Blade]

I was in Ranmoor - 5G8 - how can I ever forget - I still see it as it was in my head before they built whatever they put on it

I was in 2J7. It would have been the perfect room but for the bloke in 3J7 who played his stereo full blast and never appeared to do any work.

 

[georgethecat]

Didn't grow up in Sheffield. Have no Sheffield connections. Took a real interest in the blades during the Bassett era and was immediately hooked. I loved the never say die attitude and commitment of the squad at that time. Have been travelling over from NI up to 10 times each season for about the last 18 years. Can't describe the feeling that I get when I approach bdtbl. It's amazing to see the red and white stripes everywhere! (Very rare to see another blades shirt over here). This is a football club that gets under your skin and draws you in at every turn, both positive and negative. My kids are brought up as blades (see my avatar) and we wear our colours with pride over here. I regularly bring friends over for the weekend to watch a game and they all have developed a genuine affection for the club. Best way to describe it for me is that on the mornings of travelling to see the blades I am like a kid on xmas day. There is nothing like it.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Grew up in Gloucestershire and still live there now, but the likes of Bristol & Swindon too far away to feel any allegiance to those places. I started following Uniteds’ results in the early 70’s because of Tony Currie and the Blades had a good team then anyway (so it didn’t seem a daft choice of club). Of course it has seemed an odd choice for most of the subsequent 40 odd years!
I was a keen railway enthusiast in my teens and one of my first trips with my mates was to Sheffield as a 13 year old. We went to Wath, Tinsley and Darnall during the day. On that day my slightly casual interest in United was transformed into a love affair with the city and the team. I was mesmerised by the industrial, gritty atmosphere of the city and felt an immediate affinity with the people.
I’ve always had the kind of personality that supports the downtrodden, plus I’m a glass half empty kind of bloke. Sheffield United has proved to be the perfect choice of team.
Now 56 & a season ticket holder for many years. My daughter also has a ST and is as mad about United as I am. It’s been a bumpy ride but wouldn’t swap my love of Sheffield & United for anything. UTB ❤❤

Wow, you've really got it bad (or well). For those of us born into the city and the Blades, it is wonderful to hear from those of you who have chosen to follow this path...

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

Fair question, just been talking to my gaffer, he's from Cleethorpes, supports Arsenal.....
Previous gaffer from Linton, supports Liverpool......
One of the lorry drivers, from Lincoln, supports Man U.......
So just found out there are some glory hunting fuckers about, but why the Blades???

(I know it's the greatest club in the world)...

Poor sod being from Cleethorpes!

 

[MancBlade85]

Dad grew up in Sheffield and took me to a few games as a kid.

 

[BigBed]

I am from Ireland but recently living in Derby. My dad worked in Sheffield for a few years in the fifties and my uncle lived there from the fifties until he passed away. I started following the blades in the 80s and used to enjoy Harry Bassett. I flew over for a few games here and there. Away to Man City the previous time in the PL. Away at Villa last season. Away at Walsall. Home games include Chesterfield. Preston NE. Walsall Charlton Swindon town WBA. Peterborough Milwall. Managers at those times...Warnock. Clough...Atkins.Wilder.
I had the pleasure of seeing Dean Hammond live and thinking he can't even run.

Atleast you got to see the twat, most of us only saw the unseen side of him!!

 

[BrisBlade]

I'm from Hampshire. When I was about six (and the Blades were in the old third division in the early 80s) my dad managed to get hold of a BBC micro computer and about the only game it had was football manager. I went through all the 'top' teams before finally getting the hang of it and cleaning up with the Blades.

My Dad was initially mortified being a Chelsea man (he grew up in south west London, so you've got to let him off). He indulged me though and eventually started taking me to local matches at Reading, Swindon, Portsmouth, etc.. Then Deane and Agana joined and we were on fire, so he developed a real soft spot for the Blades too.

We started doing pilgrimages to the lane when we could. I was playing pretty much every Saturday and Sunday, so maybe just two or three home games a year plus any away matches we could get to. I live in Australia now, but whenever I'm back we take in a game at BDTBL...

I always just tell people I'm a glory fan waiting for some glory, so may have to reframe that soon!

 

[Sheff de party]

I’m from Donny but I was the first person outside my family to be born outside Sheffield in as long as any grandparent can remember (probably ever).

My cousins were a bit older and a lot cooler than me, both looked amazing at football (one played semi pro) and were generally awe-inspiring and they were all mad Blades so I just copied them.

Given my Dad is an Owl, it was a lucky escape.

Every single member of the family except for my brother (Newcastle) supports Wednesday or United. We’re not close, but it gives us all something to bond/argue over.

 

[Mansfield_Blade]

When my father was first married they moved to a mining village near Mansfield, next door lived a Blade who started taking my father to the matches, When they moved away My father continued to go on his own, and my mother would drag me and my sister around the shops whilst he was at the match. When I was 4 my father joked asking me if I wanted to go to the match? I said yes even though I knew nothing about football, but it must be better than shopping. He said he was joking so I created a scene, so to keep me quiet he took me and that was that I was hooked. It was 1966

 

[Alf Tuppers Shorts]

Not a million miles away from Sheffield. Barnsley. My dad was a cricket fanatic and always took us to Bramall Lane to see the cricket whenever his pit shift allowed. One game he said they also play football here shall we come . Couldn't wait from him finishing his sentence for the season to start. To this day cannot remember the game but we did sit in the newly built Bramall Lane stand.Got hooked from minute one. Because I lived in the Barnsley area a few of my mates where Barnsley fans and use to alternate between the Blades and them, but at Jokewell you could go on the Slagheap end for next to nowt but you would come home with scruffy shoes and socks especially if it rained. Got home one day after torrents of rain and my shoes and socks were only fit for the bin so my mam said " look at the state of you, you're not going there again." That's how you become a Blade . Mucky shoes and socks.

 

[BigBed]

So, living in Barnsley, you had the choice of both Barnsley clubs and you still chose to be a Blade! well done that man!

 

[Maidenhead]

Whilst I am pitsmoor born and raised, left sheffield at 21 to go to uni and never returned to live there, my son is born and raised in essex. He goes to all the games with me and has done since he was 8, he's 19 now. Hes a died in the wool blade...i can see the emotion in him when we play, win, lose...im so glad he could be on the journey of the lst 4 years, mirrors what me and my mates enjoyed going home and away during the bassett years.

My son was 9 when we moved from Leeds to Maidenhead.

Every home game we left at about 10.45 to drive up, went to the Royal Oak (now Beer Engine) before the games and then drove straight back to Maidenhead arriving at about 8.00pm.

I cherish those days.

How many fathers get to spend so much quality time with their sons?

 

[Maidenhead]

My Mum was from Sheffield and supported United and I lived in Dronfield until I was 18 and have since lived in the south and midlands. My son is 22 and has been a season ticket holder with me since he was 7 or 8. He lives in High Wycombe and i live in Northampton but we still go to just about all home games together. The club has done great deals for season tickets. Next season will be the first he will pay the full adult price. Fortunately I will now get the OAP discount!

Do people actually live in Wycombe? I thought it was more just a case of existing when I worked there

My son is now 35 and lives in Hull.

He still has his season ticket, still sits with me at every home game, and yes, I too now have a senior citizen discount.

UTB

 

[Alf Tuppers Shorts]

Do people actually live in Wycombe? I thought it was more just a case of existing when I worked there

My son is now 35 and lives in Hull.

He still has his season ticket, still sits with me at every home game, and yes, I too now have a senior citizen discount.

UTB

Another plus from the Blades hierarchy. Senior Citizens discount on turning 60. Most clubs 65. Get in.

 

[CountryBlade]

I’m from the South West and had never been to Sheffield before meeting my now wife. My wife’s family are from Sheffield and it started off as me trying to make polite conversation with her Dad when we first got together.
My family were never very sporty so until that point I didn’t have any family ties to Football teams although my Mum later professed to being an Arsenal fan. We still live down south so I started going to the odd game when we went back up from about 2002/03 I suppose. I think one of my first games was against Ipswich but every time I went, we lost so not such a good luck charm! Been following the blades ever since and have now probably eclipsed my father in law in terms of interest. We brought our first child home from hospital on the day we got relegated from the Prem last time round but despite my best efforts, neither of my two are terribly interested yet. I’m still trying though! UTB

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Mi fatha suppuarted 'em.

 

[CWA14]

I was born and raised in the USA but have spent most of the last 10 years living and working abroad. I came here for graduate school at the University of Sheffield 2 years ago. Having played competitive football growing up, I wanted to support an English team but couldn't fathom supporting Leeds and/or some other Top 6 glory hunter laden club like many/most Americans do.

What sold me to the club was how well its run and and how friendly everyone is/was. The examples are many:

Wilder's leadership + his "no dickhead, 100% in or fuck off" squad and recruitment policy
Fellow Blades making me feel welcome at the Cricketers Arms and other nearby pubs on matchdays
Ticket staff helping me sort out tickets and loyalty points issues at the start of this season
The kind gentleman and his mum telling me about the clubs history, Tony Currie etc. when I first started going to matches last year (in the Tony Currie stand no less)

It was one of the easiest and best decisions I've ever made becoming a Blade/Sheffield United supporter. I have to move back overseas next year (wife's job) but will always look forward to supoprting dem' blades from abroad from Thailand for the next two years. UTB!!!!

 

[Vikkster]

I bloody love all these

Fair question, just been talking to my gaffer, he's from Cleethorpes, supports Arsenal.....
Previous gaffer from Linton, supports Liverpool......
One of the lorry drivers, from Lincoln, supports Man U.......
So just found out there are some glory hunting fuckers about, but why the Blades???

(I know it's the greatest club in the world)...

These replies from everybody are bloody brilliant!!

 

[bigpockets]

Born and bred in South London. Millwall season ticket holder for 30 years. Moved to Sheffield with work. In 2008 my on then aged 9 wanted to go to a proper football match. Blades were the ones at home that weekend. Beat QPR 3:0 Billy Sharp hat trick and Paddy Kenny thumped the ball into the crowd in a fit of frustration and hit an old fella full on in the face smashing his glasses. Son was hooked had season tickets ever since (and despite some nostalgia fully support Blades when they play Millwall although do go in the home end at The Den for old times sake).

 

[BigBed]

I bloody love all these

These replies from everybody are bloody brilliant!!

We aim to please!

 

[Robbat]

None of my family were football supporters but living right next to the ground who else could I support. They used to let me go in for free under the turnstile when I was 7 years old. Now live in your neck of the woods bb.

 

[BigBed]

None of my family were football supporters but living right next to the ground who else could I support. They used to let me go in for free under the turnstile when I was 7 years old. Now live in your neck of the woods bb.

The Marsh pal?

 

[S64 Blade]

Mi Dad was a blade and used to take me to the odd game from being around 2 years old and "ooh ah Bob Booker" were some of my first words apparently

Im from Swinton near Rotherham though and all my mates were Millers and I'd get taken along to Milmoor with them and their parents, I remember absolutely hating it! Then a lad who I used to knock about with when we were about 10 who was also a blade, started letting me jump in car with him and his Dad around 1997. We took our autograph books freshly bought from the club shop and screamed and hounded Quinny, Wilder and Borbokis constantly until they came over to giz a scribble, life changing moments, think I got Kozluks every other week in later years too and always got a handshake off Marcelo although I'd been brought up to be a Blade, I always rebelled against my Dad pushing them on me until that day, fully cemented into me 100% Blade for life, never looked back. Eventually a Wednesday convert started nicking my seat in the car to games as I'd moved over Kimberworth way, so being a street smart 11 year old lad, I'd catch 2 buses from Greasbrough to Swinton and train to Sheff on my own(wasn't smart enough to get train from Rotherham Station haha) every week. Still get the same buzz walking up towards BDTBL at 32 years old as I did as a nipper, the sights, the SMELLS. It never leaves ya!

You must be a bit older than me then (I'm also from Swinton originally - hence the name). My Dad is also a Blade (lots of his mates were too - they all seemed to get into United during the Currie/Woodward years).

There's loads of United fans in and around Swinton to be fair. I think this has only grown more again in recent years.