Pettitt to retire

[Foxy]

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Long-serving physio Dennis Pettitt is retiring after more than 12 years with the Blades.

Dennis and his magic sponge have clocked up more than 1,000 games as a physio - the majority with the Blades - and he established himself as a popular face amongst United's backroom team.

His last game on duty was Monday's Play-Off Final at Wembley.

Dennis said: "It's been a rollercoaster ride and it has been fantastic to serve this club, there's been many enjoyable and emotional times but I'm 65 now and it is time for a younger man to take over."

Terry Robinson, on behalf of United, added: "Dennis is a outstanding physio and a tremendous person, his work has been much appreciated over the years and and he will always be welcome at the Lane."

Dennis served the medical arm of the RAF for 25 years before moving into football in 1986. He worked with Mansfield Town and Notts County before arriving at Bramall Lane in 1997 during Nigel Spackman's reign.

Paul Teather will take over as United's Head Physiotherapist with Dennis overseeing the transitional period by continuing at the club for two days per week for the next six months.

Rotherham-born Paul, 31, is a former professional with Manchester United but his career was cut short by injury before qualifying as a Chartered Physiotherapist. He has been with the Blades since 2007.

 

[Sensiblade]

Oi I was 1st

 

[Vistoma]

A really nice guy, a few years ago United were away at QPR (Slade was the manager) and I was working in London staying at the swallow hotel. The team stayed there as well and after the players had gone to bed, Dennis played the GCB song on the piano with me supplying vocals along with a few others.

Thanks for everything Dennis.

 

[SRBlade]

I can't speak highly enough for the bloke.

When UTD played up here on good friday (3-0 drubbing ) The team stayed at a hotel along the road from me, so on the day i stood outside waiting for the coach/team to arrive so I could spring out and get them to sign my shirt.

The coach arrived and there was no players on it, but Pettitt was the first of the coach followed by, Tony Daley, Mick Jones (i think, coach at the time) and the late great Derek Dooley. I shook their hands, as a dazed 14 year old, then asked where the players were, Dennis then told me that they were still in the hotel and that they would be having a walk along the beach in about an hour or so. He then suggested that I give him my shirt, so that he could get all the players to sign it, then he would leave the shirt at the hotel reception for me to collect.

The shirt is now framed and on a wall in my house