Merger gonna happen in next 10 years

[Gibbo89]

No! Wouldn't have the slightest interest in a merged club. If The Blades disappeared I wouldn't have the slightest interest in football anymore either.

 

[BusheyBlade]

With no real links to Sheffield, should a merger happen I would not support the new team. I'd instead have to find a local club to support. I think it would come down to a choice of Watford, Barnet or Borehamwood...with Watford being the glory choice. Actually, I dislike Watford too much, Barnet would probably win.

 

[shorehamview]

Fuck. That. Shit.
No. No. No!!!!!!!

 

[beightonblade]

The day it happens i'll have mi balls cut off and start wearin our gerts frocks !

 

[Tuns]

Of course a merger will happen. The only way it won't happen is if our support continues to decline sharply and they become so much bigger than us that a merger is no longer needed - a kind of Forest - County situation.

Traditions have been cast aside by the bucket load in the last 15 years or so in pursuit of money and trophies.

We're kidding ourselves if we think Sheffield football wont sell out when the time is right.

I used to think it couldn't happen in my lifetime but I think 10 years is now feasible.

20 years ago there was no way I would have believed some of things that have happened to football could possibly have happened.

It may be driven by some kind of European league nonsense or TV or maybe both clubs will be on their knees and see a merger as the only way out. Whatever, at some point circumstances will come together and that will be that.

 

[broomhillblade]

The day it happens i'll have mi balls cut off and start wearin our gerts frocks !

Maybe it would be worth it, after all. ;-)

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Of course a merger will happen. The only way it won't happen is if our support continues to decline sharply and they become so much bigger than us that a merger is no longer needed - a kind of Forest - County situation..

Eh? That's the sort of deluded comment I would expect from a pig on Porktalk. A Forest - County situation will never happen in Sheffield. The Blades & the pigs have both had periods with bigger crowds than the other - but generally average attendances have been very similar. As for our support continuing to decline sharply, it hasn't - given our position is has held up quite well.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

So if disgruntled United and Wednesday fans decided to all support Sheffield FC instead, isn't that err... exactly the same?

No, because Sheffield FC already exist . If disgruntled United and Wednesday fans chose to support them, that's all well and good, but it would'nt be a 'merged' club. Mind you, if the reaction on here is anything to go by then Sheffield FC would probably have to move to Bramall Lane to fit in all the new fans

 

[Princess Annes Dog]

Traditions have been cast aside by the bucket load in the last 15 years or so in pursuit of money and trophies.

We're kidding ourselves if we think Sheffield football wont sell out when the time is right.

And for me that's the key, tradition means nothing and the only league that matters to the money men is the Premiership....and of course the Champions League. We don't matter, the money boys who the media and the "new breed" of "fan" fawn over are all that's important now. The game isn't like it used to be, it's not fun anymore as the greed of all involved and the propensity to cheat have come to the fore. I hate the Premier League stuff, it's not good to watch and in essence it's bent so the big boys win. Problem is that for clubs like us, long term survival rests on a few seasons with the cheats as that's the only way we'll clear our debts.

I used to love football, I used to love the Blades and if you'd mentioned a merger to me I'd have smacked you in the mouth but now? Now I'd shake my head, nip for a pint and not give a shit. I have some marvelous memories of my time supporting the Blades, no one can take those fantastic days from me. I was lucky to see TC, Woody, Salmons, Badger etc etc. but now the game just leaves me cold. I'll always be a Blade, the tattoo and the place in my heart will always be there but my love for the club and the modern game is something that I can take or leave. And anybody who knows me knows that that's something I'd have never said one time of the day.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

That should read Sheffield FC. Bloody smart phone.

Name is taken, mate!



However, we could - as seems to fashionable in Manchester and Barcelona, be FC Sheffield...

 

[Sirius]

To anyone without any emotional ties, it would make perfect sense. Those of us who have connections with the club would never choose to see it happen. For that reason, I dont think McCable would be on board. I think Manderic would jump at the chance though.

I do think, however, a new shared ground would be right up McCabe's street.

Are there any supporters without emotional ties? The casual pay on the day fan would not pay the bills.
Living away, it must be 15 years since I was last at the Lane, the interest though is still as strong and will remain so, provided that there is a Sheffield UNITED. If the unthinkable happened and United merged, my interest in football would be zero.

 

[blade too long]

depends how you define ,"will do well"
my point is both our teams will never ever ever be a force on their own now as football is all about financial clout
As 2 seperate competing entities we are using all our resources to stay above one another

I cant see either club sustaining a prem place for above a couple of seasons, its a future of mediocrity and crumbs from the top table
Change is scary, but mediocrity is dull

 

[beightonblade]

IF it happened My football supporting days would be over.
I have no interest in football as it is today other than the Blades and that's hard enough.

 

[sothall blade]

Waa talking to my Wendy mate today who is quite high up in SWFC and there have been talks between the two clubs for a while now over a possible merge. I told him it was bullshit. Then he said it would be the best thing to happen to the city in sporting terms. Most of the younger generations have never seen us even close to winning anything and only some will remember their league cup. My mate then said: there would be less violence at football matches, a bigger ground, more fans. I still disagreed, left him and said I hope we never see a merged team but I would go and watch them. Would you??

fuckin hell, merger ? not again............. why dont you try sudoko to pass the time

 

[Zanzibar]

fuckin hell, merger ? not again............. why dont you try sudoko to pass the time

Makes economic sense to build a municipal stadium somewhere out by Woodburn Rd. Bigger clubs than ours share.
Would regenerate Darnall/Attercliffe, both looking dire, new roads etc.

 

[Rodley]

This 'Sheffield can't sustain two clubs' is the biggest pile of bollocks ever. Support wise both clubs, in the Prem, would be in the top half of the league in terms of average attendances.

 

[Blade nath]

What would the team be named anyway? That would cause problems straight away.
Also with the manager, chairman, players, kit, ground etc....
And no way on hells earth would i support a merged team, I'd support Sheffield Fc and hope they move back to Sheffield. Would also be nice to see Curtis Woodhouse again.

 

[Bladesway]

This 'Sheffield can't sustain two clubs' is the biggest pile of bollocks ever. Support wise both clubs, in the Prem, would be in the top half of the league in terms of average attendances.

But we aren't and won't be for a long time. With a merger you are instantly the most attractive prospect for a billionaire buyer in the country. Support base would be very attractive, history and heritage of Sheffield as the birthplace of the game etc.

Rather than just sticking fingers in ears it is surely better to appreciate that in the modern world its very possible. Averaging 50k as opposed to 30k gives you a major advantage.

I have said elsewhere I wouldn't support it or want it but that doesn't mean it can't happen.

 

[Selly]

But we aren't and won't be for a long time. With a merger you are instantly the most attractive prospect for a billionaire buyer in the country. Support base would be very attractive, history and heritage of Sheffield as the birthplace of the game etc.

Rather than just sticking fingers in ears it is surely better to appreciate that in the modern world its very possible. Averaging 50k as opposed to 30k gives you a major advantage.

I have said elsewhere I wouldn't support it or want it but that doesn't mean it can't happen.

Somewhat of a large assumption there that the new club would be averaging 50k no??

 

[Rodley]

But we aren't and won't be for a long time. With a merger you are instantly the most attractive prospect for a billionaire buyer in the country. Support base would be very attractive, history and heritage of Sheffield as the birthplace of the game etc.

Rather than just sticking fingers in ears it is surely better to appreciate that in the modern world its very possible. Averaging 50k as opposed to 30k gives you a major advantage.

I have said elsewhere I wouldn't support it or want it but that doesn't mean it can't happen.

Where's the 50k come from?! I suspect at least 25k STers in total would walk away, plus floating support. So you're asking someone to invest in a business which has completely alienated the majority of its customer base, needs a new ground, has a toxic brand identity and would probably start in the Northern Premier Division.

No you've persuaded me. I agree.

 

[Kentblade]

I don't get the obsession with the 'Premiership' and the perception that it is the only place to be? I support Sheffield United FC, as has every generation of my family since 1889. I always will support them irrespective of their financial status or league position and could never transfer that allegiance to any other team. I love watching them whatever, though admittedly some weeks are better than others, but I know one thing without doubt, if Sheffield United FC ceased to exist, so would my interest in Football.

UTB

Totally agree 100% with you.
Like you every generation of the family has been a Blade since the club started and still are now.
Long may it continue.
UTB

 

[Selly]

I suspect that, at some point in the next 10 years the propect of a franchised top flight will be suggested again, with 1 or 2 teams per city/area.

Given that we, as a city, don`t have a presence in the top flight at the moment, we, as a city, would probably not be able to argue for a dual presence in the remodelled division.

Given such a division would be a closed shop, I'd rather both teams died and a new team/merger took the place of Sheffield, than them lot from over the city "got the gig".

 

[Highbury_Blade]

The name FC United of Manchester i rather suspect was chosen because as an acronym it is FCUM, which has a two fingers up to the establishment kind of ring to it. Whereas we'd be FCUS, which to be honest given our propensity for shooting ourselves in the foot, is entirely appropriate....

 

[Tuns]

Eh? That's the sort of deluded comment I would expect from a pig on Porktalk. A Forest - County situation will never happen in Sheffield. The Blades & the pigs have both had periods with bigger crowds than the other - but generally average attendances have been very similar. As for our support continuing to decline sharply, it hasn't - given our position is has held up quite well.

We've lost half of our ST holders in the last few years. Our gates next season will be down again and another few years drifting in League One could easily see us down at 10,000 gates.

If that is matched by the pigs getting their act in order and getting to the Prem and some serious investment and ground improvement then yes there could be a bigger gulf between the clubs than there has ever been in my lifetime. Cos football has changed.

At that point a merger would of course be a non starter as they wouldn't need it. They'd have swept up the next generation of fans and all the kids that just want to be part of a glossy winning club.

We could also have done it if we'd had a bit of luck against Wigan and then some serious investment and ground improvement. But that's not the Blades way.

Yes our gates have been broadly similar and yes the pigs have ridiculous delusions of grandeur but football has changed.

Shiny Prem clubs are all the rage and if they get there, make a go if it and become properly established and we have a decade in the wilderness then the time will come when it's going to be incredibly hard to turn it round in the way we did under Warnock.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

The 'merger' idea has been talked about since I was a lad - and probably since my dad was a lad.

Unless the merged team had a billionaire owner, it would never be able to compete for top honours. We'd end up as a mid-table side, or worse. The lowest common denominator would take effect and we'd be back to square one.

I don't see why the Premiership couldn't support two Sheffield teams. It supports two from Manchester, two from Liverpool, quite apart from teams from the greater Birmingham area, and the north-east. Then of course there's London.

Maybe we could buy what's left of Rangers for a pittance and move it lock stock and barrel to Sheffield. Charles Green's master plan? ;-)

At £6M a game [recent Sky deal] Worksop could support Prem football

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

The day it happens i'll have mi balls cut off and start wearin our gerts frocks !

So that's not you in the avatar?

 

[geekblade]

Lol...no...

 

[geekblade]

Lol...no...

 

[BladeFisher]

The only other time I can remember two clubs merging was in 1994.

This story might have some parallels

In 1993, the Scottish Football League decided to expand and restructure. This meant that two vacancies for membership would be available. Caledonian FC decided to apply for membership, as did city rivalsInverness Thistle. The SFL hinted that a joint application might be more successful and the boards of Caley and Thistle decided to merge. This decision was met with widespread opposition by supporters of both sides, especially by Caley fans who were confident their club could successfully bid on their own. However, an amalgamation went ahead leaving deep resentment from Caley fans that the club's board had betrayed them. The new club, Caledonian Thistle (later Inverness Celedonoan Thistle), were granted membership to the Third Division at the beginning of season 1994–95. They are now an SPL club.

So the prcedent has been set, Sheffield Blades Wednesday or is it might be known Sheffield Bloody Wednesday.

 

[BladeFisher]

The name FC United of Manchester i rather suspect was chosen because as an acronym it is FCUM, which has a two fingers up to the establishment kind of ring to it. Whereas we'd be FCUS, which to be honest given our propensity for shooting ourselves in the foot, is entirely appropriate....

I wonder if Portsmouth fans might start a rival club?