Season Review / School Report 24/25: Part 7 - Development/Academy and Women

[Deadbat]

2024/25 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT: Part 7



Academy / Development side

A huge thanks to @goodpinch (twitter handle) for his help in most of this section and as always has helped me a fair bit to fill in the gaps etc and indeed without him I would really struggle! Indeed, a good section (majority!) of below was taken from @goodpinch who gave me lots of details on the competitions, form and players! He gave me all the details on competitions, how the teams fared at each age group and all the player stats. Fantastic research!

The Blades continued to run an Elite Player Performance Plan Category 2 academy in the Premier League’s Professional Development League, for a 13th season. The senior age category continued at U21 with the younger age category at U18.

With no clubs leaving Category 2 and Brentford returning after eight seasons away, there were 22 clubs split equally between the North and South sections. Again, the Blades were placed into the North section and played the other ten teams in their section home and away plus the 11 teams in the South section once - a total of 31 league games. The two teams finishing highest in each section qualified for the four-team playoffs to determine the national champions.

The U21s were again invited to play in the Premier League Cup, a competition mainly for those Category 1 clubs not playing in UEFA youth competitions but with a number of invited non-Category 1 clubs to make up the numbers. The competition provides at least six games, three at home and three away, in a group of four clubs before progressing to a knock-out.

The U18s entered the 73rd FA Youth Cup. They also played in the U18 Professional Development League Cup, a competition for Category 2 clubs and a number of invited Category 3 and 4 clubs to make up the numbers. The competition provides at least three games in a group of four before progressing to a knock-out.

Both the U21s and U18s saw changes in age group leadership. Micky Collins stepped down as U21 lead after almost three seasons with Gary McSheffrey taking over. Jim O’Brien came in as U18 lead following Matt Thorpe’s departure after just one season in the role. Del Geary continued in his role as overall academy lead.

---
​

Competition Overviews

U21 Professional Development League (“U21PDL”)

The Blades came into the campaign as both National and North section champions, the latter title having been won for the fourth successive season.

A 13 game unbeaten start to the campaign including a run of eight straight wins put the Blades in a very strong position. These games included three six goal winning margins together with a 10-1 thrashing of Crewe Alexandra, the Blades largest ever victory in the PDL. Despite two consecutive defeats in late autumn and a few more draws in the second half of the season, the Blades wrapped up a fifth consecutive North section title with three games to go.
​

U21 PDL North​	P​	W​	D​	L​	F​	A​	GD​	Pts​
1​	SHEFFIELD UNITED​	31​	19​	7​	5​	82​	36​	46​	64​
2​	Burnley​	31​	19​	2​	10​	89​	38​	51​	59​
3​	Coventry City​	31​	16​	3​	12​	73​	53​	20​	51​
4​	Hull City​	31​	17​	0​	14​	61​	56​	5​	51​
5​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​	13​	6​	12​	51​	51​	-2​	45​
6​	Fleetwood Town​	31​	13​	4​	14​	47​	59​	-12​	43​
7​	Peterborough United​	31​	11​	2​	18​	46​	74​	-28​	35​
8​	Birmingham City​	31​	9​	4​	18​	51​	82​	-31​	31​
9​	Barnsley​	31​	7​	9​	15​	43​	62​	-19​	30​
10​	Wigan Athletic​	31​	7​	5​	19​	48​	66​	-18​	26​
11​	Crewe Alexandra​	31​	6​	7​	18​	39​	76​	-37​	25​

As champions, the Blades had home advantage in the playoff semi final against South section runners-up Brentford who travelled north for the game which was played at Doncaster Rover’s Eco-Power Stadium.

Brentford had the better of the first half and took a late lead into half time. After the break the Blades piled on the pressure and finally equalised through Alfie Atherton. A frenetic ten minutes of injury time saw chances at both ends but the sides had to settle for extra time. With the temperature in the mid-20s the going was tough but it was Brentford who found something extra to get the winner and take the tie 2-1, ending the academy season for the Blades.

Zain Tahir had the most starts with 25, the most overall appearances with 29 and spent the most time on the pitch with 2291 minutes. Jevan Beattie was the top scorer with 16 goals.​

​

 

[Deadbat]

Premier League Cup (“PLC”)
The Blades were placed in a group with two Category 1 academies: Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers, together with Category 3 academy Huddersfield Town.

The Blades stormed through the games, first beating Sunderland away at Eppleton Colliery Welfare before winning all three home games at York. A fifth win out of five, away to Wolves at Kidderminster, meant the group was won and the last 16 confirmed with a game to go. With Huddersfield Town already unable to qualify there was nothing riding on the final group game and a somewhat youthful Blades team lost narrowly at the John Smith’s Stadium. Sunderland also qualified as one of the better performing second placed teams.
​

PL Cup Group D​	P​	W​	D​	L​	F​	A​	GD​	Pts​
1​	SHEFFIELD UNITED​	6​	5​	0​	1​	17​	7​	10​	15​
2​	Sunderland​	6​	3​	1​	2​	15​	7​	8​	10​
3​	West Bromwich ALbion​	6​	2​	1​	3​	8​	9​	-1​	7​
4​	Huddersfield Town​	6​	1​	0​	5​	7​	24​	-17​	3​

​

 

[Deadbat]

The last 16 brought the Blades a home tie against Southampton, played at York. Despite a spirited performance, a very young Blades side lost 4-1 to a Category 1 side riding high in Premier League 2, the goal coming from Alfie Atherton. Harry Boyes played all 630 minutes across the seven games. Louie Marsh was top scorer with five goals.

U18 Professional Development League (“U18PDL”)
After a disappointing 5th place finish in 2023/24, the U18s set off in incredible form and were well in front by Christmas following an 14 game unbeaten run, including 11 wins. Unfortunately the new year saw a huge drop off in form as a number of players picked up injuries. The side won just four games out of the remaining 17 and dropped down the table. The playoffs were out of reach with two games to go and the side finished in 4th place, a slight improvement on the previous season.
​

U18 PDL North​	P​	W​	D​	L​	F​	A​	GD​	Pts​
1​	Burnley​	31​	22​	3​	6​	88​	26​	62​	69​
2​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​	20​	5​	6​	86​	45​	41​	65​
3​	Coventry City​	31​	17​	3​	11​	59​	50​	9​	54​
4​	SHEFFIELD UNITED​	31​	15​	5​	11​	65​	61​	4​	50​
5​	Wigan Athletic​	31​	15​	3​	13​	69​	46​	23​	48​
6​	Barnsley​	31​	14​	5​	12​	54​	48​	6​	47​
7​	Crewe Alexandra​	31​	13​	5​	13​	58​	54​	4​	44​
8​	Hull City​	31​	12​	5​	14​	46​	60​	-14​	41​
9​	Birmingham City​	31​	11​	3​	17​	47​	65​	-18​	36​
10​	Peterborough United​	31​	8​	3​	20​	49​	77​	-28​	27​
11​	Fleetwood Town​	31​	7​	3​	21​	42​	91​	-49​	24​

Alfie Hough had the most appearances with 27, including 25 starts and the most time on the pitch with 2255 minutes. Jevan Beattie was top scorer with 17 goals.

FA Youth Cup (“FAYC”)
The Blades U18s entered the competition at the third round stage with a home tie against Category 1 academy Blackburn Rovers. After a very heavy downpour led to a late postponement at Bramall Lane, the game was eventually played at York Community Stadium. The Blades raced into an early two goal lead through McLachlan and Sidibe before the visitors came back to level it and looked the most likely to win it. But an amazing volleyed goal from Dylan Tawodzera saw the Blades through to the fourth round and another home tie, this time against Derby County - another Category 1 academy.

After another late postponement, this time due to a frozen York pitch, the game was played at the same venue a few days later. Despite the Blades taking a 1-0 lead through Seth Okyere, the visitor’s showed why they are constantly one of the best U18 Premier League academy teams in the country and came back to win 3-1 meaning the Blades time in the competition was over.

Eleven players played in both games including eight who started each time. Sam Colechin, Coby Hewitson and Zain Tahir played all 180 minutes across the ties. Riley McLachlan, Seth Okyere, Lamine Sidibe and Dylan Tawodzera each scored one goal.
​

 

[Deadbat]

U18 Professional Development League Cup (“U18PDLC”)
The Blades were placed in a group with fellow Category 2 academies Burnley and Wigan Athletic as well as invited Category 3 academy Preston North End. The Blades and North End beat both of the other academies with the latter having the better goal difference. This meant the Blades needed to beat them in the third and final group game to advance to the quarter finals. The Blades won 4-2 at Shirecliffe in a fairly comfortable fashion to set up a home tie against Brentford.
​

U18 PDL Cup Group D​	P​	W​	D​	L​	F​	A​	GD​	Pts​
1​	SHEFFIELD UNITED​	3​	3​	0​	0​	6​	2​	4​	9​
2​	Preston North End​	3​	2​	0​	1​	7​	7​	0​	6​
3​	Burnley​	3​	1​	0​	2​	5​	3​	2​	3​
4​	Wigan Athletic​	3​	0​	0​	3​	2​	8​	-6​	0​

After 62 minutes of the quarter final with the score at 0-0 it’s doubtful anyone could have guessed the final result. But just 14 minutes later the Blades were 5-0 up with goals from Eyob-Abraha (2), Christie-Crainie, Beattie and an unfortunate Brentford defender. The visitors pulled one back before Long restored the five goal cushion and the game ended 6-1 to the Blades.

The Blades were drawn at home again in the semi finals with Colchester United the visitors. Somewhat against the run of play, the Blades found themselves 1-0 up at half time through a McLachlan goal. Although the visitors equalised from the spot early in the second half the Blades quickly got back in front through Okyere. Shortly afterwards Eyob-Abraha gave the Blades a two goal lead from the spot and although Colchester set up a nervous finish by scoring to make it 3-2, McLachlan grabbed his second late on to help the Blades to a 4-2 victory and a first appearance in the U18 PDL Cup final where they were to face Peterborough United.

Home advantage was given to the Blades and York Community Stadium was chosen as the venue. Despite drafting in a number of players with U21 experience the side never got going and lost out 1-0 to the visitors who also boasted a number of players more used to U21 football.

Coby Hewitson and Alfie Hough played all 540 minutes across the six games. Siem Eyob-Abraha was the top scorer with four goals.
​

 

[Deadbat]

Home Grounds
The home ground designation for U21 fixtures returned to York Community Stadium after a season at the Chesterfield FC Stadium although the Premier League again required at least five U21PDL games to be hosted at Bramall Lane. However, with the York ground also hosting Leeds United U21, Hull City U21 and various York sports teams, some U21 games were played at the Blades Academy at Shirecliffe. The Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster was used for the U21PDL playoff semi final. Shirecliffe continued as the designated home ground for U18 fixtures although some higher profile cup games were played at York.​

Ground	U21PDL​	PLC​	U18PDL​	U18PDLC​	FAYC​	Total​
Bramall Lane	5​	0​	0​	0​	0​	5​
Eco-Power Stadium	1​	0​	0​	0​	0​	1​
Shirecliffe	6​	0​	16​	4​	0​	26​
York Community Stadium	4​	4​	0​	1​	2​	11​

​

 

[Deadbat]

U21

Player Statistics (not including playoffs)

Goalkeepers

Goalie​	Starts​	Sub​	Clean Sheets​	Conc​
Luke Faxon	11	0	5	15
Coby Hewitson	14	0	5	18
Henry Molyneux	12	0	4	11
Trialist	2	0	0	2

Outfield

Player​	Starts​	Subs​	Goals​
Todd Alcock	1	0	0
Alfie Atherton	15	12	4
Sam Aston	21	5	1
Jamal Baptiste	16	1	2
Jevan Beattie	20	7	18
Billy Blacker	27	0	7
Jackson Blaize	2	3	0
Charlie Bulmer	0	1	0
Harry Boyes	30	0	8
Andre Brooks	4	0	1
Jili Buyabu	5	2	1
Jefferson Cáceres	7	0	2
Tyrese Campbell	2	0	4
Sam Colechin	12	7	1
Ismaila Coulibaly	3	0	1
Ethan Cummings	9	10	1
Sam Curtis	2	0	0
Tom Davies	4	0	1
Evan Easton	19	0	3
Siem Eyob-Abraha	0	1	0
Marshall Francis	20	11	5
Zach Giggs	4	5	0
Alfie Gilchrist	1	0	0
Antwoine Hackford	1	1	0
Owen Hampson	15	0	7
Kurtis Havenhand	0	1	0
Alfie Hough	2	4	0
Jaydon Makhalira	4	2	1
Louie Marsh	6	0	12
Sam McCallum	2	0	0
Riley McLachlan	0	3	0
Rhys Norrington-Davies	7	0	0
Seth Okyere	4	3	1
Ryan Oné	10	0	9
Lennon Patterson	3	3	1
Jayden Prunty	1	0	1
Aaron Reid	2	4	1
Jack Robinson	1	0	0
Sai Sachdev	5	0	0
Dovydas Sasnauskas	20	4	1
Femi Seriki	3	0	0
Jamie Shackleton	4	0	0
Lamine Sidibe	0	2	0
Zain Tahir	31	4	1
Jay Tinsdale	12	6	2
Trialist	5	6	1
Jack Waldron	26	4	0

 

[Deadbat]

Sorry, having issues uploading all of it - so will send more later tonight when on my own computer!

 

[Deadbat]

Goalscorers

Player​	PDL2​	PLC​	Total​
Jevan Beattie	16	2	18
Louie Marsh	7	5	12
Ryan Oné	9	0	9
Harry Boyes	7	1	8
Billy Blacker	6	1	7
Owen Hampson	6	1	7
Marshall Francis	4	1	5
Alfie Atherton	3	2	5
Tyrese Campbell	4	0	4
Evan Easton	3	0	3
Sam Aston	2	0	2
Jamal Baptiste	2	0	2
Jefferson Cáceres	2	0	2
Jay Tinsdale	2	0	2
Andre Brooks	1	0	1
Jili Buyabu	1	0	1
Sam Colechin	1	0	1
Ismaila Coulibaly	1	0	1
Ethan Cummings	1	0	1
Tom Davies	0	1	1
Jaydon Makhalira	1	0	1
Rhys Norrington-Davis	1	0	1
Seth Okyere	0	1	1
Lennon Patterson	1	0	1
Jayden Prunty	1	0	1
Aaron Reid	0	1	1
Dovydas Sasnauskas	1	0	1
Zain Tahir	0	1	1
Trialist	1	0	1
Own Goals	0	1	1

 

[Deadbat]

U18

Player Statistics

Goalkeepers

Goalie​	Starts​	Sub​	Clean Sheets​	Conc​
Tommy Betts	10	0	1	22
Ben Grainger	7	0	1	15
Coby Hewitson	20	0	3	29
Trialist	1	1	0	5
Alfie Venners	1	0	0	1

Outfield

Player​	Starts​	Subs​	Goals​
Keehan Barrett-Underwood	8	1	1
Jevan Beattie	19	0	19
Zach Benjamin	1	1	1
Tyrone Bishawu	0	1	0
Jackson Blaize	10	7	3
Theo Buckle	1	0	0
Charlie Bulmer	9	6	2
Beau Cheesewright	0	1	0
Archie Christie-Crainie	20	8	2
Sam Colechin	22	3	1
Arlo Coubrough	9	7	6
Tom Dearden	11	1	2
Harry Evers	1	0	0
Siem Eyob-Abraha	25	2	12
Zach Giggs	15	2	0
Franklyn Gordon	9	6	0
Bobby Hassall	1	0	0
Theo Howard	9	0	1
Alfie Hough	32	2	2
Frankie Jones	5	2	0
Noah Kiwomya	9	8	2
Jaye Long	9	7	1
Jaydon Makhalira	11	8	1
Riley McLachlan	16	10	9
Ben Murray	2	2	1
Kesiah Nembhard	1	0	0
Seth Okyere	11	2	4
Marley Parr-Pearson	7	2	0
Lennon Patterson	10	3	0
Matty Poppleton	1	1	0
Aaron Reid	24	3	2
Eddie Roberts	6	1	0
Dovydas Sasnauskas	6	0	0
Lamine Sidibe	23	2	12
Zain Tahir	13	0	0
Dylan Tawodzera	23	6	2
Trialist	11	5	0

 

[Deadbat]

Goalscorers

Player​	U18PDL​	U18PDLC​	FAYC​	Total​
Jevan Beattie	17	2	0	19
Siem Eyob-Abraha	8	4	0	12
Lamine Sidibe	10	1	1	12
Riley McLachlan	6	2	1	9
Arlo Coubrough	3	2	0	5
Seth Okyere	2	1	1	4
Jackson Blaize	3	0	0	3
Charlie Bulmer	2	0	0	2
Archie Christie-Crainie	1	1	0	2
Tom Dearden	1	1	0	2
Alfie Hough	2	0	0	2
Noah Kiwomya	2	0	0	2
Aaron Reid	2	0	0	2
Keehan Barrett-Underwood	1	0	0	1
Zach Benjamin	1	0	0	1
Sam Colechin	1	0	0	1
Theo Howard	1	0	0	1
Jaye Long	0	1	0	1
Jaydon Makhalira	1	0	0	1
Ben Murray	1	0	0	1
Dylan Tawodzera	0	0	1	1
Own Goals	1	1	0	2

​

 

[Deadbat]

Player Summaries

Players

As with previous seasons, the types of players appearing in matchday squads could be placed into five groups.

Across the groups and for each of the five competitions the following information is provided:

• Apps (match day squad involvements - set out as starting appearances, appearances from the bench and non-appearances as an unused sub)
• Mins (minutes played based on 90 minute games as it’s often impossible to gather any added time played - substitution and red card times are taken into account in the total)
• Gls (goals scored)

1 - EFL U21 Squad: U21, U20 and U19 Age Groups

Unlike with the Premier League, any loan players from the U21 or younger age groups had to be named in the primary EFL squad. This included Alfie Gilchrist, on loan from Chelsea.

27 players from the U21, U20 and U19 age groups were named in the Blades U21 squad during the season.

23 players together with Alfie Gilchrist all appeared in academy matchday squads:

Sam Aston (U19) - Midfield
See First Team for Notes. January - Made first matchday squad in FA Cup.
U21PDL: Apps 17-4-0 Mins 1561 Gls 2
PLC: Apps 4-1-0 Mins 365 Gls 0

Alfie Atherton (U19) - Attack
August - Trialled for U21, joined from Oldham Athletic. February - Loaned to Peterborough Sports
U21PDL: Apps 11-12-2 Mins 1084 Gls 2
PLC: Apps 4-1-0 Mins 340 Gls 2

Jamal Baptiste (U21) - Defence
See First Team for Notes. September - Trialled for U21. November - Joined from Manchester City. December - Made first matchday squad in EFL Championship, made first appearance in EFL Championship. January - Made first start in FA Cup.
U21PDL: Apps 17-4-0 Mins 1594 Gls 3
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 45 Gls 0

Billy Blacker (U19) - Midfield/Attack
See First Team for Notes. October - Made first matchday squad in EFL Championship. January - Made first start in FA Cup, made first appearance in EFL Championship.
U21PDL: Apps 22-0-0 MIns 1938 Gls 6
PLC: Apps 5-0-0 Mins 450 Gls 2

Andre Brooks (U21) - Midfield
See First Team for Notes. August - Made first start in EFL Championship, made first start in EFL Cup. December - Scored first goal in EFL Championship.
U21PDL: Apps 4-0-0 Mins 285 Gls 1

Jili Buyabu (U21) - Defence
See First Team for Notes. October - Loaned to Rochdale.
U21PDL: Apps 4-2-0 Mins 438 Gls 1
PLC: Apps 1-0-1 Mins 49 Gls 0

Ethan Cummings (U19) - Midfield
Came from Man City a few years ago but after a bad ACL injury, he did well for the u18s and moved up the u21’s. Not played much this season at this level and was released at the end of the season.

U21PDL: Apps 7-8-4 Mins 663 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 2-2-0 Mins 231 Gls 0

Sam Curtis (U19) - Defence
See First Team for Notes. August - Loaned to Peterborough United. January - Loaned to St Johnstone (Scotland). September - Scored first international goal in UEFA U21 Euros (Ireland).
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 77 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

 

[Deadbat]

Evan Easton (U20) - Defence/Midfield
Easton came to the Blades from Celtic’s development squad and did make the bench in the cup at Gillingham last season. He was originally signed as a centre back but played in midfield also for the u21’s. Seemed to have a few injuries this season as not seen him as involved as he was last campaign. With players like Peck, Arblaster, Marsh and Blacker coming through, he has maybe not been able to force himself into contention with competition tough but still has another season. Not had a loan out yet so maybe might benefit from some senior football?

U21PDL: Apps 13-0-0 Mins 1308 Gls 3
PLC: Apps 3-0-1 Mins 247 Gls 0

Luke Faxon (U20) - Goalkeeper
See First Team for Notes. August - Made first matchday squad in EFL Cup. October - Made first matchday squad in EFL Championship. January - Made first matchday squad in FA Cup.
U21PDL: Apps 7-0-0 Mins 630 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 4-0-0 Mins 360 Gls 0

Marshall Francis (U19) - Attack
Was top scorer in the u18s in 23-24 and started to get game time in the u21’s at the end of last season. This campaign he has been heavily involved at this level and been a regular in the squad and popped up with a fair few goals too.
U21PDL: Apps Apps 17-9-2 Mins 1580 Gls 4
PLC: Apps 4-1-0 Mins 373 Gls 2

Alfie Gilchrist (U21) - Defence
See First Team for Notes. August - Loaned from Chelsea as part of the first team squad.
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 70 Gls 0

Antwoine Hackford (U21) - Attack
See First Team for Notes. August - Loaned to Port Vale.
U21PDL: Apps 1-1-0 MIns 105 Gls 0

Owen Hampson (U20) - MIdfield
See First Team for Notes. August - Made first start in EFL Cup. October - Made first international appearance in U21 friendlies (Wales). January - Made first appearance in FA Cup, made first matchday squad in EFL Championship. March - Loaned to Dunfermline Athletic (Scotland).
U21PDL: Apps 10-0-0 Mins 900 Gls 6
PLC: Apps 5-0-0 Mins 427 Gls 1

Mekhi Haughton-Parish (U19) - Defence
Left wing back who has been involved in the u21’s after getting a pro deal last summer. Has spent some time at Hallam and last season with Cleethorpes and also Liversedge. Has now been released.

September - Loaned to Cleethorpes Town. October - Loaned to Liversedge.
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-2 Mins 0 Gls 0

Kurtis Havenhand (U19) - Attack
Forward. Was prolific at U18 level and had some games at U21 but then got a bad injury and was out for a season – had time on loan at Sheffield FC – and then left for Birmingham.
December - Loaned to Sheffield. February - Joined Birmingham City.
U21PDL: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 7 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0

Louie Marsh (U21) - Attack
See First Team for Notes. August - Made first matchday squad in EFL Championship, made first start in EFL Cup, scored first goal in EFL Cup. September - Made first international start in Elite League Squad (England), scored first international goal in Elite League Squad (England). January - Made first start in FA Cup. February - Loaned to Fleetwood Town.
U21PDL: Apps 4-0-0 Mins 344 Gls 7
PLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 5

Henry Molyneux (U20) - Goalkeeper
Signed for United last summer after coming through at Charlton. He has been involved in the Charlton u21’s and also was in some matchday squads. He played for the u21’s who were extremely successful again, winning most weeks before he moved to Chatham Town in the Isthmian League. He did well here as his team had an upward trajectory in terms of results. He is still only 19 and clearly United identified him as someone they felt could develop, hence taking him from another promising academy in Charlton but whatever they have seen in him has not been enough to keep him and he has been released.
February - Loaned to Chatham Town.
U21PDL: Apps 9-5-0 MIns 810 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 3-0-2 Mins 270 Gls 0

Ryan Oné (U19) - Attack
See First Team for Notes. August - Made first appearance in EFL Cup. September - Made first matchday squad in EFL Championship. October - Made first international appearance in UEFA U21 Euros (Scotland). November - Made first appearance in EFL Championship, scored first goal in EFL Championship. December - Made first start in EFL Championship. January - Made first start in FA Cup. March - Scored first international goal in U21 friendlies (Scotland).
U21PDL: Apps 9-0-0 Mins 801 Gls 9
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

Jayden Prunty (U19) - Defence
Had skippered the u18s and become a regular in the u21’s this season.
September - Loaned to Cleethorpes Town.
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-1 Mins 90 Gls 1
PLC: Apps: 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0

Sai Sachdev (U20) - Defence
See First Team for Notes. U21PDL: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 270 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0

Femi Seriki (U21) - Defence
See First Team for Notes. U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 166 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 60 Gls 0

Jay Tinsdale (U20) - Midfield
Signed from Bradford, Tinsdale spent time at full back and in central midfield and was a regular in the u21s in 22-23 season but he has not been as involved this season with a few injuries seemingly?
U21PDL: Apps 11-3-0 Mins 1039 Gls 2
PLC: Apps 1-3-0 Mins 141 Gls 0

Jack Waldron (U19) - Defence/Midfield

19-year-old ‘Wally’ Waldron, is a Sheffield lad out of All Saints School – just a stones throw from the Lane. He was part of the title winning u21 squad last season and always looked impressive with his energetic and tenacious style as he bombed on from right back. Went to National League North side Scarbrough this season and done very well, making himself a regular and endearing himself to fans and local businesses (got a link with an ice cream parlour!). Hopefully he may get another loan to a league above next season.

December - Loaned to Scarborough Athletic.
U21PDL: Apps 22-3-0 Mins 2158 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 3-1-0 Mins 308 Gls 0

 

[Deadbat]

2 - Scholars: U18 and U17 Age Groups

25 players from the U18 and U17 age groups were named as Blades scholars during the season. All made appearances in matchday squads:

Jevan Beattie (U18) - Attack
March - Made first international appearance in U19 friendlies (Scotland). Brother of former United loanee Craig. Scored 37 goals in both u18’s/u21’s and quite a split so clearly know where the net is. Be interested to watch his development.

U21PDL: Apps 15-6-0 Mins 1563 Gls 16
PLC: Apps 4-1-0 Mins 356 Gls 2
U18PDL: Apps 14-0-0 Mins 1228 Gls 17
FAYC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 259 Gls 2

Jackson Blaize (U18) - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 2-3-0 Mins 177 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 10-5-0 Mins 865 Gls 3
U18PDLC: Apps 0-2-0 Mins 66 Gls 0

Archie Christie-Crainie (U18) - Attack
Scored for the u21’s v Crewe after coming on as sub.

U21PDL: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 18-4-0 Mins 1409 Gls 1
FAYC: Apps 0-2-0 Mins 16 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 2-2-0 Mins 384 Gls 1

Sam Colechin (U17) - Defence
January - Made first appearance in FA Cup.
U21PDL: Apps 11-5-1 Mins 1024 Gls 1
PLC: Apps 1-1-1 Mins 94 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 15-4-0 Mins 1405 Gls 1
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 5-0-0 Mins 384 Gls 0

Arlo Coubrough (U17) - Attack
U18PDL: Apps 8-7-0 Mins 711 Gls 3
FAYC: Apps 0-1-1 Mins 14 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-1-1 Mins 121 Gls 2

Siem Eyob-Abraha (U17) – Attack
Came from Manchester United – who had released him – last summer.
U21PDL: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 6 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 19-3-0 Mins 1680 Gls 7
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 165 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 4-0-0 Mins 360 Gls 4

Zach Giggs (U18) - Defence/Midfield
September - Made first international appearance in U19 friendlies (Wales). November - Made first international appearance in UEFA U19 Euros (Wales).
U21PDL: Apps 2-4-2 Mins 248 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 2-1-0 Mins 225 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 10-2-0 Mins 841 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 270 Gls 0

Franklyn Gordon (U17) – Defence
Attended Meadowhead School.
U18PDL: Apps 7-4-5 Mins 600 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 0-0-2 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 2-3-0 Mins 135 Gls 0

Ben Grainger (U17) - Goalkeeper
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-13 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 7-0-17 Mins 563 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 0-0-2 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 0-0-4 Mins 0 Gls 0

Coby Hewitson (U18) - Goalkeeper
U21PDL: Apps 13-0-11 Mins 1290 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-0-5 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 12-0-2 MIns 1080 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 6-0-0 MIns 540 Gls 0

Alfie Hough (U17) - Defence
Skippered the u18’s much of this season.
U21PDL: Apps 0-4-8 Mins 83 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 25-2-1 Mins 2255 Gls 2
FAYC: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 91 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 6-0-0 MIns 540 Gls 0

Theo Howard (U17) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 7-0-0 Mins 609 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0

Frankie Jones (U18) - Midfield
U18PDL: Apps 5-2-1 Mins 425 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 3 Gls 0

Noah Kiwomya (U18) - Attack
Assume he is related in some way to former footballers Chris and Andy? (whose son Alex was on Chelsea’s books and attended Notre Dame School in Sheffield). Has been released this summer.
U18PDL: Apps 7-6-4 Mins 618 Gls 2
FAYC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 77 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-2-0 Mins 78 Gls 0

Jaye Long (U18) - Midfield
Came from Fulham. Has now been released.
U18PDL: Apps 6-8-3 Mins 607 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 0-1-1 Mins 6 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 3-1-0 Mins 290 Gls 1

Riley McLachlan (U17) - Attack
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-3-0 Mins 28 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 10-10-1 Mins 1101 Gls 4
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 4-1-0 Mins 366 Gls 2

Jaydon Makhalira (U17) - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 4-3-0 Mins 461 Gls 1
U18PDL: Apps 8-7-2 MIns 671 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 3-1-0 Mins 230 Gls 0

Seth Okyere (U18) - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 2-3-2 Mins 207 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 135 Gls 1
U18PDL: Apps 8-1-0 Mins 692 Gls 2
FAYC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 66 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 2-1-0 Mins 225 Gls 1

Lennon Patterson (U18) - Defence
October - Trialled for U21. November - Trialled for U18. February - Joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
U21PDL: Apps 4-4-1 Mins 356 Gls 1
U18PDL: Apps 9-1-0 Mins 775 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 114 Gls 0

Aaron Reid (U17) - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 1-3-3 Mins 191 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-1-1 Mins 90 Gls 1
U18PDL: Apps 19-1-0 Mins 1644 Gls 2
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 3-2-0 Mins 313 Gls 0

Lamine Sidibe (U17) - Attack
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 3 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 1 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 19-1-0 MIns 1566 Gls 10
FAYC: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 109 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 229 Gls 1

Dovydas Sasnauskas (U18) - Defence
Ended up being involved in the first team last season after he quickly moved up from the u16 to the u18s and u21 games but was still a shock when he was on the bench at Wolves (and had a few other games in the match day squad)! We had a lot of injuries but even so, clearly Wilder and his coaching staff had seen something they liked. A ball playing centre back with decent size, he was originally at Chelsea. He has been involved with Lithuania, his national side and has skippered his respective age group which is quite an honour I am sure. This season maybe he has not quite pushed on and ended up back with the u21’s (and sometimes even back to the u18’s) and not even been a regular at the u21 level with Baptiste and others coming in. He went on loan to Buxton and played three games (they did concede 6 in these) for them whilst still playing for the u21’s. He is only 18 and hopefully next season he can push on again. Having watched him, I always thought he was decent on the ball and a big lad but lacked physicality to be a top centre back but that may come of course.
September - Made first international appearance in U19 friendlies (Lithuania), scored first international goal in U19 friendlies (Lithuania). November - Made first international appearance in UEFA U19 Euros (Lithuania). March - Made first international appearance in U18 friendlies (Lithuania).
U21PDL: Apps 17-2-0 Mins 1679 Gls 1
PLC: Apps 2-2-0 Mins 249 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 270 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0

Zain Tahir (U18) - Defence

Came through the u18s. Ball playing defender who has featured regularly for the u21’s this season.

U21PDL: Apps 25-4-1 Mins 2291 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 6-0-0 Mins 495 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 9-0-0 Mins 810 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 180 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 174 Gls 0

Dylan Tawodzera (U17) - Defence
A pupil at Rastrick High School in Brighouse; the same school at McLachlan.
U18PDL: Apps 18-5-0 Mins 1667 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 178 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 3-3-0 Mins 330 Gls 0

Alfie Venners (U17) - Goalkeeper
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-3 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 1-0-8 Mins 90 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 0-0-2 Mins 0 Gls 0

 

[Deadbat]

3 - Schoolboys: U16 and U15 Age Groups
The Premier League allows U16 boys (school year 11) to play in both the U21PDL and PLC. It allows U16 and U15 boys (school years 11 and 10) to play in both the U18PDL and the U18PDLC. The FA allows U16 and U15 boys (school years 11 and 10) to play in the FAYC.

13 schoolboys made development matchday squads for the Blades including two at U21 level:

Keehan Barrett-Underwood (U16) - Defence
March - Joined from Liverpool.
U18PDL: Apps 8-1-0 Mins 704 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0

Zach Benjamin (U15) – Attack
Only 14 but scored a lovely lobbed finish in his first game for the u18’s as he came on as sub at Colchester.
U18PDL: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 109 Gls 1

Tommy Betts (U15) - Goal
U18PDL: Apps 10-0-2 Mins 900 Gls 0

Tyrone Bishamu (U15) - Unknown
Only 16. Signed from the Young Elites/UK Football Trials.
U18PDL: Apps 0-1-1 Mins 45 Gls 0

Theo Buckle (U15) - Defence
U16 player who appeared for the U18’s at the end of the season.
U18PDL: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 117 Gls 0

Charlie Bulmer (U16) - Attack
U21PDL: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 18 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 8-6-1 Mins 808 Gls 2
U18PDLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 60 Gls 0

Beau Cheesewright (U15) - Unknown
Made his debut off the bench in the game against Brentford in May.
U18PDL: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 13 Gls 0

Tom Dearden (U16) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 10-1-1 Mins 945 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 80 Gls 1

Bobby Hassall (U16) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 1-0-0 MIns 90 Gls 0

Ben Murray (U16) - Midfield
U16 player who appeared for the U18’s at the end of the season.
U18PDL: Apps 2-2-2 Mins 253 Gls 1

Marley Parr-Pearson (U16) - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-1 MIns 0 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 5-3-2 Mins 440 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 2-1-0 Mins 156 Gls 0

Matty Poppleton (U16) - Midfield
April - Joined from Everton following a trial. From the Manchester area. Played mostly for the u16’s.

U18PDL: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 86 Gls 0
These stats do not include the player’s match day involvement as a trialist. Sheffield United does not disclose the names of trialists and it was not possible to determine the information through any other means. Combined stats for known and unknown trialists are provided in the Trialists section.

Eddie Roberts (U15) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 6-1-1 MIns 487 Gls 0


4 - Over Age Pros

The Premier League returned to its default position of allowing up to three outfield players and the keeper to be over age in U21PDL and PLC games. This followed a two year transitional period, following the switch from U23 to U21, where a higher number of over age players had been allowed.

The rule allowing U19 keepers to play in U18PDL and U18PLC games remained in place.
As usual the FA did not allow over age players in the FAYC.
Eight over age players were used in the U21PDL and PLC:

Harry Boyes - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 23-0-0 Mins 1951 Gls 7
PLC: Apps 7-0-0 Mins 630 Gls 1

Jefferson Cáceres - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 8-0-0 Mins 666 Gls 2

Tyrese Campbell - Attack
U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 114 Gls 4

Tom Davies - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 163 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 1

Sam McAllum - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Min s 121 Gls 0

Rhys Norrington-Davies - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 6-0-0 Gls 311 Gls 1
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 1

Jack Robinson - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-0 MIns 63 Gls 0

Jamie Shackleton - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 211 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 66 Gls 0

The Blades had no U19 keepers so no over age players were used in the U18PDL or U18PDLC.

5 - Trialists

The Premier League allows trialists in the U21PDL, PLC, U18PDL and U18PDLC. The FA allows trialists in the FAYC. Sheffield United does not disclose the names of trialists and it is not always possible to identify individual trialists through other means.

Trialists were part of a match day squad on 32 occasions. Their combined stats were:
U21PDL: Apps 7-3-1 Mins 570 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 14-6-1 Mins 1362 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

Subsequently four of the trialists were identified. Alfie Atherton and Lennon Patterson went on to sign for the Blades and their combined stats appear in the relevant subsections. Two others didn’t go on to sign for the Blades:

Todd Alcock (U20) - Midfield
April - On trial from Aston Villa.
U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 167 Gls 0

Charlie Warren (U18) - Goal
February - On trial from Tottenham Hotspur.
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

The combined stats for all unknown trialists were:
U21PDL: Apps 2-1-1 Mins 216 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 14-6-1 Mins 1362 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

Summary / Next season
The U21 side has been incredibly successful in winning their league again with many comprehensive victories – that set against a number of those eligible being out on loan or in our first team. The U18 team were not quite at the level we have been in this age group – but many had moved up to play in the older section. It seems the Academy and our situation at development football is at a crossroads. We will continued to win most weeks (at U21 level) but it seems we need to be tested against more competitive sides. Until we get Category One status, we seem kind of stuck. We are still producing players though, for us, and for other teams if they do not quite make it at the Lane but the coaching/reputation we have means that if we can elevate the status/level of competition -we can progress even more. I worry, that despite the discussions and hullabaloo over Dore being secured, we have not actually started on renovating this and the first team move will be a few years away (we need to put planning permission in for a first team building/sort out the pitches and it seems in a state of flux - nothing happened since we acquired the site nearly a year ago). We cannot even discuss even applying for this elevated status until the academy has all of Shirecliffe and the pitches/buildings just for the younger teams. Teams like Birmingham and Burnley (I believe?) have recently been awarded Category One – so it is frustrating that we are facing further delays. You hope the new owners can move on this. It is clear, the coaching and how well trusted that United are – means we do get a lot of the local talent and have done a good job spotting released players from other clubs too (Peck a fantastic example) but to keep building on this – we need to take this next step.

 

[Deadbat]

3 - Schoolboys: U16 and U15 Age Groups
The Premier League allows U16 boys (school year 11) to play in both the U21PDL and PLC. It allows U16 and U15 boys (school years 11 and 10) to play in both the U18PDL and the U18PDLC. The FA allows U16 and U15 boys (school years 11 and 10) to play in the FAYC.

13 schoolboys made development matchday squads for the Blades including two at U21 level:

Keehan Barrett-Underwood (U16) - Defence
March - Joined from Liverpool.
U18PDL: Apps 8-1-0 Mins 704 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0

Zach Benjamin (U15) – Attack
Only 14 but scored a lovely lobbed finish in his first game for the u18’s as he came on as sub at Colchester.
U18PDL: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 109 Gls 1

Tommy Betts (U15) - Goal
U18PDL: Apps 10-0-2 Mins 900 Gls 0

Tyrone Bishamu (U15) - Unknown
Only 16. Signed from the Young Elites/UK Football Trials.
U18PDL: Apps 0-1-1 Mins 45 Gls 0

Theo Buckle (U15) - Defence
U16 player who appeared for the U18’s at the end of the season.
U18PDL: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 117 Gls 0

Charlie Bulmer (U16) - Attack
U21PDL: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 18 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 8-6-1 Mins 808 Gls 2
U18PDLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 60 Gls 0

Beau Cheesewright (U15) - Unknown
Made his debut off the bench in the game against Brentford in May.
U18PDL: Apps 0-1-0 Mins 13 Gls 0

Tom Dearden (U16) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 10-1-1 Mins 945 Gls 1
U18PDLC: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 80 Gls 1

Bobby Hassall (U16) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 1-0-0 MIns 90 Gls 0

Ben Murray (U16) - Midfield
U16 player who appeared for the U18’s at the end of the season.
U18PDL: Apps 2-2-2 Mins 253 Gls 1

Marley Parr-Pearson (U16) - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 0-0-1 MIns 0 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 5-3-2 Mins 440 Gls 0
FAYC: Apps 0-0-1 Mins 0 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 2-1-0 Mins 156 Gls 0

Matty Poppleton (U16) - Midfield
April - Joined from Everton following a trial. From the Manchester area. Played mostly for the u16’s.

U18PDL: Apps 1-1-0 Mins 86 Gls 0
These stats do not include the player’s match day involvement as a trialist. Sheffield United does not disclose the names of trialists and it was not possible to determine the information through any other means. Combined stats for known and unknown trialists are provided in the Trialists section.

Eddie Roberts (U15) - Defence
U18PDL: Apps 6-1-1 MIns 487 Gls 0


4 - Over Age Pros

The Premier League returned to its default position of allowing up to three outfield players and the keeper to be over age in U21PDL and PLC games. This followed a two year transitional period, following the switch from U23 to U21, where a higher number of over age players had been allowed.

The rule allowing U19 keepers to play in U18PDL and U18PLC games remained in place.
As usual the FA did not allow over age players in the FAYC.
Eight over age players were used in the U21PDL and PLC:

Harry Boyes - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 23-0-0 Mins 1951 Gls 7
PLC: Apps 7-0-0 Mins 630 Gls 1

Jefferson Cáceres - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 8-0-0 Mins 666 Gls 2

Tyrese Campbell - Attack
U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 114 Gls 4

Tom Davies - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 163 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 1

Sam McAllum - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Min s 121 Gls 0

Rhys Norrington-Davies - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 6-0-0 Gls 311 Gls 1
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 1

Jack Robinson - Defence
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-0 MIns 63 Gls 0

Jamie Shackleton - Midfield
U21PDL: Apps 3-0-0 Mins 211 Gls 0
PLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 66 Gls 0

The Blades had no U19 keepers so no over age players were used in the U18PDL or U18PDLC.

5 - Trialists

The Premier League allows trialists in the U21PDL, PLC, U18PDL and U18PDLC. The FA allows trialists in the FAYC. Sheffield United does not disclose the names of trialists and it is not always possible to identify individual trialists through other means.

Trialists were part of a match day squad on 32 occasions. Their combined stats were:
U21PDL: Apps 7-3-1 Mins 570 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 14-6-1 Mins 1362 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

Subsequently four of the trialists were identified. Alfie Atherton and Lennon Patterson went on to sign for the Blades and their combined stats appear in the relevant subsections. Two others didn’t go on to sign for the Blades:

Todd Alcock (U20) - Midfield
April - On trial from Aston Villa.
U21PDL: Apps 2-0-0 Mins 167 Gls 0

Charlie Warren (U18) - Goal
February - On trial from Tottenham Hotspur.
U21PDL: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

The combined stats for all unknown trialists were:
U21PDL: Apps 2-1-1 Mins 216 Gls 0
U18PDL: Apps 14-6-1 Mins 1362 Gls 0
U18PDLC: Apps 1-0-0 Mins 90 Gls 0

Summary / Next season
The U21 side has been incredibly successful in winning their league again with many comprehensive victories – that set against a number of those eligible being out on loan or in our first team. The U18 team were not quite at the level we have been in this age group – but many had moved up to play in the older section. It seems the Academy and our situation at development football is at a crossroads. We will continued to win most weeks (at U21 level) but it seems we need to be tested against more competitive sides. Until we get Category One status, we seem kind of stuck. We are still producing players though, for us, and for other teams if they do not quite make it at the Lane but the coaching/reputation we have means that if we can elevate the status/level of competition -we can progress even more. I worry, that despite the discussions and hullabaloo over Dore being secured, we have not actually started on renovating this and the first team move will be a few years away (we need to put planning permission in for a first team building/sort out the pitches and it seems in a state of flux - nothing happened since we acquired the site nearly a year ago). We cannot even discuss even applying for this elevated status until the academy has all of Shirecliffe and the pitches/buildings just for the younger teams. Teams like Birmingham and Burnley (I believe?) have recently been awarded Category One – so it is frustrating that we are facing further delays. You hope the new owners can move on this. It is clear, the coaching and how well trusted that United are – means we do get a lot of the local talent and have done a good job spotting released players from other clubs too (Peck a fantastic example) but to keep building on this – we need to take this next step.

 

[Deadbat]

SUFC Women

Please subscribe to Ben Meakin’s (BladesPod) excellent Women of Steel on Substack for in depth analysis and deep dives into the going on with the women’s team – indeed I have stolen/borrowed with his permission the end of season ratings/review –detailed below which is far more in depth and insightful than my brief thoughts below:
However, to say this season has been a disaster for the women is an understatement. It began last summer as several (most?) key players moved on – either seeing the stagnancy at the Lane or wanting to improve themselves – found other clubs. The experienced players were not replaced and after the previous campaign with the tragedy of Maddy Cusack’s death hanging over the club. The subsequent investigation into this against the club and the managerial controversy which saw him eventually have his contract terminated meant it was a bit of a mess. There seemed to be a lack of clear plan or direction behind the scenes and we just limped into the season. Reading not been able to play the season in theory should have helped as there was now only one relegation place but in reality we struggled from the get go and it became clear we would be in a fight to stay up. A defeat at home to Portsmouth – our nearest rival – meant that we had to find a win from somewhere but never did and after failing to beat Blackburn – it seemed the inevitable would happen and it did. We ended up bottom and got relegated. However, as I write this there may be a reprieve as Blackburn Rovers are not going to meet the requirements to play in the Championship.
The future for the side seems uncertain. Will the new owners want to invest in a side effectively now playing part time regional football – and a long way from the spotlight of the Premier League and Sky TV coverage. Will the team still play at the Lane? It seems many more players may move on for the sake of their career but the side was full of youngsters mostly anyway so maybe there will be less changes but not sure if many would have to be part time now and thus setting us back even more. There is a real question if the club will continue to fund it – we want equality and a women’s team to support but do we know if the owners do? They have said very little about the men’s team so expecting to hear about other facets of the club is unlikely but at some point they will have to decide whether we can commit funds (now we have not gone up – things will be stretched) to this part of the club? I would not be shocked if it was disbanded – bigger clubs than us have done this with women’s and even academy set ups but would be a real shame with the boom of women’s football – we seem to have gone backwards and not capitalised. I was disappointed that even with free tickets we could only attract 3,000+ for games late in the season – when some of the other clubs were selling out stadiums with such offers – maybe the appetite for the Blades fans is not there – clearly some do enjoy going and have sold season tickets but most games are watched by a few hundred (losing not helping I would suggest?).


Position: 11th / 11th – relegated *pending situation with Blackburn Rovers

Record: Played 20 - Win 1 / Draws 4 / Losses 15

Leading Scorer: Maria Farrugia 4

Appearances: Most – Leanne Cowan 20, Maria Farrugia 20 (both ever present), Eva Butler 19, Monique Robinson 19, Sian Rogers 19, Jaqueline Hand 16, Abbie Lafayette 16, Ella Kinzett 15

---
Please go to and subscribe to BladesPod (Ben Meakin) superb weekly reviews and match reports on the Women but please find below his season ratings/review – that he allowed me to nick!
https://womenofsteel.substack.com/
SUFC Women 2024/25 - Player by player review by Ben Meakin/Bladespod
Grading every player in United's squad from the 2024/25 season

A nice bit of news for the Blades women themselves came in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior County Cup final at Rotherham’s New York Stadium, as United’s U21 team beat Huddersfield 5-0. It’s the first time the club have lifted the trophy, and a huge congratulations to all the players and staff - very few of whom are yet established in United’s first team and could play bigger roles next season.

Anyway, back to United’s 2024/25 squad, who I’m now going to rate out of 10 for the season - get yourself a cup of tea / coffee / beverage of your choice and settle in for over 3,000 words of player reviews. In order to get a rating, I’m setting a bar of 300 minutes played in all competitions – numbers that I’m taking from playmakerstats.com. All other stats are taken from SofaScore unless otherwise stated.

Players with at least one appearance who played fewer than 300 mins: Liv Edwards, Tilly Bristow, Molly Graham, Maddy Earl, Chloe Salisbury, Ellie Jones, Ruby Ormiston, Holly Jones, Emmie King, Ruby Watts, Elicia Clarkson, Isla Phillips, Isobel Stewart, Lexi Goward.

A few significant mentions from that list: Molly Graham suffered a season-ending injury in the second game and was a huge loss in defence. She’s now back in training and hopefully will be back up to speed by the time the new campaign starts. Youngster Tilly Bristow was just starting to make her first senior appearances when she too had her season ended by injury – Bristow was one of the leading players for the U21s so again we hope that her recovery is swift.

Ellie Jones and Maddy Earl were two January loan signings from WSL clubs but neither teenager made an impact. Jones (from Everton) barely featured while Earl (Arsenal) did at least get some minutes and look tidy enough without really affecting a game. I expect both will be back on loan to the Championship next season although there may be a case for dropping down to the National League and getting more experience than warming the bench for the bottom side of the second tier.

On to the ratings then. Maybe some readers will think I’ve been a tad harsh with some of my marks, but I’d refer to last season’s ratings for some context. Would love to hear any of your own ratings in the comments, though!
Sian Rogers, GK – 19 appearances, 1 clean sheet

A consequence of United’s shoddy summer was that they got worse in almost every single position across the pitch. I say that without meaning disrespect to the 2024/25 side; more that the 2023/24 one possessed a lot of very good Championship players who have gone on to do well at other clubs in the league this season (and in the case of Bex Rayner, jumped up to the WSL).

One exception is Sian Rogers, who I think has been a close like-for-like replacement for Fran Stenson. Stenson (now at Southampton) is a lot younger and has been part of the England U23 setup, so may well go on to eclipse Rogers’ ability – but looking purely at the here and now, Rogers did a solid job as the last bastion behind a struggling defence.
She may have only one clean sheet to show for it, but she kept United in games where – had the squad possessed more firepower, or a more cohesive way of attacking – we might have snatched more points. She made the second-most saves per game of any keeper in the league (4.3 – almost double the saves she was required to make for Charlton the year before).

She wasn’t a dominant keeper with crosses and had a couple of bad bits of goalkeeping mixed in with some excellent saves. Expected goals don’t tell the full picture as they don’t account for wayward finishing (someone please bring us post-shot xG numbers for the Championship… and now the National League) but United were one of five teams to concede more than their xG Against suggests, with only Portsmouth performing worse in the metric. But that’s understandable for a team so consistently under pressure.

It would be great for the club to be able to hang onto Rogers next season for the National League, but (I’m assuming she was only on a one-year contract) my guess is she’ll get offers to stay in the second tier. The league will be back up to 12 teams next year, and either promoted club might be looking at her. With more teams investing in their women’s side, I also wouldn’t be surprised if someone picks her up as a reliable backup or competition for the starting role.
Rogers won the club’s Player of the Season award this weekend – curiously, the keepers of both men’s and women’s sides picked up the top honour – and it’s very hard for me to argue otherwise (although I kind of do, below).

Rating: 7/10
United’s player of the season, Sian Rogers.


Bethan Davies, GK – 6 appearances, 0 clean sheets

United’s backup keeper made only one league appearance – on the final day of the season – with Rogers firmly established as first choice. She didn’t really push for a starting role in those games, conceding 10 in back-to-back cup appearances albeit with six of them coming to WSL side Crystal Palace. Davies also features regularly for the U21s and I’ll be unsurprised if she’s the number 1 for the senior side next season if Rogers does indeed depart.

5/10


Leanne Cowan, RB, RCB, RWB – 24 appearances, 0 goals

An up and down year for Cowan, who brought some valuable experience and versatility – playing a number of defensive positions through the season – but also struggled with some back-breaking errors that generally got punished. Her loose backpass in the home game against Portsmouth was a real killer, leading to the opening goal that saw United’s season spiral.

Errors aside, she was solid enough. She led all United players for clearances per match (3.3) and ranked third for accurate long balls per match.

5/10


Abbie Lafayette, LB, LCB, LWB – 17 appearances, 1 goal

It’s consecutive relegations for Lafayette, having suffered that fate with Watford last season. I was hoping for a bit more from her going forward – she suffers in comparison to our sensational left wingback of last season, Jodie Hutton – but overall she had a steady-enough season. She had the fourth-most key passes per match of any United player, so we did see some creativity from the left back slot – but not enough to tip the scales. She smashed in a superb penalty against Southampton but that was her only goal contribution.

6/10


Annie Wilding, CB – 16 appearances, 0 goals

Wilding missed a good chunk of the season through injury, although some of that was mitigated by the return to fitness of Satara Murray. I have a hard time rating her campaign because she didn’t stand out (or exhibit much in the way of stand-out qualities) at any point, but nor did she do anything particularly wrong apart from be a part of a defence that only kept one clean sheet all season (in a game she didn’t play in). I think that with better players around her she could be a perfectly functional Championship defender, but – as with a lot of United’s squad this season – she’s not at the level where she herself can be a difference-maker.

5/10


Satara Murray, CB – 15 appearances, 1 goal

While the numbers don’t tally with the “eye test” on this one, I’m adamant United’s defence got a lot better once Murray returned from injury. She was an unfortunate add-on to last summer’s mess – brought in as a senior figure and appointed captain, she missed the start of the campaign with a knee injury and looked to have reaggravated it upon her first appearance where she lasted just 36 minutes.

She started to feature again around December and bagged a goal in the league cup. Overall though she was levels above any of United’s other defenders for physicality, and I really do wonder if things could’ve been different had she been the bedrock around which the defence was built for the whole season. Murray, aged 31, announced her retirement before the penultimate game, which is a shame as she certainly looked like she could continue to do a job at Championship level or below.

6/10
Captain Satara Murray announced her decision to retire at the end of the 2024/25 season.

 

[Deadbat]

Issy Hobson, CB, LCB – 7 appearances, 0 goals

Things started so brightly for Hobson and then took a sharp, season-derailing nosedive. I was impressed with her first appearance where she looked composed on the ball on top of using her athleticism to good effect – the only player in our side who came close to Murray’s physical defending ability. But she struggled mightily against Durham’s dangerous wide forwards, and then of course had the disastrous red card against Portsmouth.

She was recalled by Everton shortly after serving her suspension, so didn’t really get the chance to atone. She’s only 17 years old and has a lot of tools that could see her develop into a really good player, but sadly her impact for us was tilted towards the negative.

4/10


Liv Page, RCB – 12 appearances, 0 goals

I’m excited by Page’s potential after the signs she showed this season – it’s just a shame we didn’t see more of her. She made sporadic appearances at the start of the season but only locked down a starting spot in January, during which United held Newcastle and Durham to draws and narrowly lost to Birmingham. Defensively she was very good, but it was her passing that really caught my eye: one of the few players who looked capable of a line-breaking ball out of defence. Just 20 years old, there’s a lot to work with here and hopefully the club can keep her for next season and beyond.

6/10


Charlotte Wardlaw, LCB – 13 appearances, 0 goals

I’d argue that Wardlaw was our standout defender during the period she was here – but unfortunately Chelsea yoinked her back from her loan deal in January and promptly allowed her to join Newcastle United. She then made her Magpies debut at Bramall Lane and scored one of the funnier own goals I’ve seen in a long time as the Blades picked up a draw. If I factor that in, it’s probably more like an 8/10, but I’ll stay humourless for now.

6/10


Fallon Connolly-Jackson, LB, LWB – 20 appearances, 0 goals

Regular readers will have noticed I’m a fan of Connolly-Jackson, even though she’s yet to lock down a first-team spot. That will surely come next season – assuming she doesn’t get a better offer elsewhere, which is very possible especially given her international credentials with Scotland U19s. But for now I find it very easy to see the upside of her as a player: an attacking fullback with good dribbling abilities and a fearless, take ‘em on attitude on and off the ball. She’s not the biggest defender but athletically – speed, strength – she’s up there with a lot of our squad. I’d be really disappointed to lose her, but my worry is that Championship teams will see the same things as me and think they can quite easily mould her into a very good player within a year or two. Get her that contract, Blades.

6/10

Fallon Connolly-Jackson on the ball for Scotland U19s.


Esther Morgan, RWB, LWB, CM – 8 appearances, 0 goals

Morgan signed in January and was a regular starter, although it felt like she was slightly misused on the left (unless I’m making a big mistake, I’m sure she’s right-footed). She was steady without impacting a game, which was a slight disappointment given that we were trying to use her in an attacking role. This sounds reductive but I appreciated her upbeat attitude on and off the pitch, which I imagine was an asset in a struggling team. She got back into the senior Wales squad after a long layoff with injury from before her time at United, so for her personally this wasn’t an unsuccessful season.

I believe she signed a short-term contract with United, so is likely to stay in the Championship rather than stick around. A likeable player, just wish we could have seen more of her.

6/10


Ella Kinzett, CM – 18 appearances, 0 goals

After a promising 2023/24, I was a little disappointed with Kinzett this season – although I sympathise in the lack of midfield stability around her until deep into the season. With Sophie Barker’s departure there was probably a little too much for her to do in the middle of the park for a player who is still only 20. Still, I was hoping that when Jade Bailey arrived we’d see a bit more of the roaming no.8 role that saw Kinzett catch the eye last season, but it never really happened. Still yet to score for the Blades, she also registered just a single assist (in the league cup) and just 0.3 key passes per game. I imagine there’s a good chance she sticks around for next year and that’s more than fine by me – I’m not selling my Kinzett stock just yet.

5/10


Monique Robinson, CM – 24 appearances, 2 goals

Robinson is an intriguing player (and another who is only 20 years old). Signed from WSL side Leicester City last summer, I was hoping for a bigger impact from her than a single league goal which arrived late on in a last-day dead rubber. When she gets on the ball you can see the WSL academy ability, but too often games passed her by in the first part of the season when she was a regular starter.

She lost her place in the side with the arrival of Connie Scofield in January, but actually played far, far better as an impact substitute where her role allowed her to be a lot less structured and a lot more “just get it and do stuff”. I think those kinds of moments are probably what will see her stay in the Championship. She’s another one whose attitude I have to commend – a proper feisty character who occasionally looked like she could start an argument in an empty room. The team needed a bit of that this season. Somehow she only got booked four times.

5/10


Jade Bailey, CM – 16 appearances, 0 goals

Bailey didn’t sign until late in the summer after a long injury and it wasn’t until game seven that she was ready to play a full 90 minutes (by coincidence, United’s only league win of the season). A pure DM, she was a handy pickup by United and one I’d love to keep and build around as a senior figure next season. She was back in the starting lineup for Jamaica and, at 29, potentially still has a few more years at this level (or the one below). Not a player that jumps out statistically but a really useful win-it-and-give-it midfielder who – to me – could be a key part of a successful side with better talent around her.

6/10


Ellen Molloy, CM, FWD – 7 appearances, 1 goal

A case of what might have been, as Molloy sadly left the Blades midseason to return to Ireland for personal reasons, resulting in mutual termination of her contract and her rejoining Wexford. Prior to that, she was one of United’s better attacking players – a skillful, driving talent through the middle who scored possibly our goal of the season against Birmingham.

She averaged the third-most shots per game for the Blades, the joint-most shots on target and the second-most successful dribbles per game (at a 76% success rate). Overall she looked a potentially very good Championship player, is still just 20 and a full Ireland international – I’m sure I speak for all Blades fans when I wish her well.

7/10


Connie Scofield, CM – 7 appearances, 0 goals

Loaned from London City in January, Scofield was a definite upgrade to United’s midfield as a roaming, do-it-all presence. Her numbers were impressive: not only did she complete more passes per game than any other Blade (with almost 50% more than the next highest volume passer), she did it at a 91% clip. And this wasn’t a case of her playing safe – she also led all players for key passes per match, had the third-most successful dribbles per match and was second behind Maria Farrugia in shots per game.
She’s pretty clearly a Championship calibre player and could have been a big asset for us had she become available sooner. Given that, I think it’s extremely unlikely she’ll be playing for us next season, and Championship clubs will likely be lining up to take her off London City’s hands following their promotion. A really nice footballer.

7/10


Grace Foy, FWD – 15 appearances, 0 goals

Foy was thrown in the deep end at the start of the season as United’s complete lack of forward options left us having to pick an inexperienced youngster up top. She worked hard with understandably little reward, and later in the season showed some really promising signs as an impact sub, similar to Monique Robinson with whom she was often introduced at the same time. Foy scored twice as United U21s won the County Cup this week and I’d expect her to have a bigger role next season if she’s still a Blade.

6/10


Maria Farrugia, FWD – 25 appearances, 8 goals

An excellent signing. While four of Farrugia’s eight goals arrived in the cup competitions, she was still by far United’s top league goalscorer and I dread to think what sort of non-goalscoring records the Blades might have set without her. As with Abbie Lafayette, Farrugia is another to suffer back-to-back relegations now but it’s absolutely through no fault of her own as she was United’s most talented player by a distance.

And what goals they were! Two of them have been nominated for the Championship’s goal of the season, with her dipping long-range effort against Bristol City my personal pick. I also have to credit her fitness: only Leanne Cowan played more than her 2,081 minutes, and she appeared in more games than anyone else in the squad. She also led the team in shots per game, successful dribbles per game and was joint-second for key passes per match.

A lovely footballer to watch with her dribbling and willingness to shoot from long range – a rare spark of excitement among an otherwise dreadful season. She absolutely deserves to be playing in the Championship and I certainly won’t begrudge her the move that’s surely coming her way.

8/10
Top-scorer Maria Farrugia was nominated for Championship player of the season and 2x goal of the season.


Eva Butler, FWD, RWB – 23 appearances, 2 goals

Butler’s breakout season was a bit stop-start, as the free-scoring U21s striker found herself playing a mix of roles both offensive and defensive. I thought it was a missed opportunity to not use her further forward as a wide attacker where she could use her speed and directness to get at defenders, but by the end of the season she wasn’t really getting a look-in with just 77 minutes played across United’s final seven fixtures.
She scored a lovely goal against Bristol City and also created Maria Farrugia’s cracking strike with a brilliant cross-field pass. She occasionally found it heavy going against stronger defenders, but for someone just starting their career this was an encouraging full campaign. I’m expecting her to take a huge step forward next season in the National League – assuming she’s still our player.

6/10


Alyssa Aherne, RW, FWD – 8 appearances, 1 goal

Signed on deadline day last autumn, Aherne didn’t feature until mid-January as she essentially arrived injured. Given United’s paucity of attackers at that point, it was a real blow and she would surely have had a big role to play. She scored on her eventual debut against Crystal Palace in the WSL and started the last six games as a winger / wide forward, with some good moments on the ball including creating what could have been a crucial equaliser against Southampton. It’ll be interesting to see where she ends up next, as it feels unlikely that she’ll crack Manchester United’s team any time soon.

6/10


Jacqui Hand, FWD – 21 appearances, 2 goals

The final player in these ratings is another one to suffer back-to-back relegations, as a former teammate of Maria Farrugia at Lewes. The New Zealand international brought a desperately-needed focal point for United’s attacks, although for months it felt like we barely created a single chance for her. After an assist at Portsmouth, Hand found the net in her 14th appearance with a thumping header in the draw with Durham; she also bagged the equaliser against Southampton. I hoped for more goals but could never fault the workrate, and we saw a few glimpses of how she can play with the ball at her feet when she finally got the chance to face goal and run with it.
A good player and one I’d hope we have a chance of keeping next season, although her international commitments might see her move closer to home.

6/10

 

[robbiez666]

Blimey. Have a rest!

Thanks again.

I know it has been discussed elsewhere but it would be a really bad move to get rid of the women's side. Especially with a Euros this summer. Attendances are down but it's hardly surprising when the club has essentially asset stripped it and set it up to fail. I think a lot of their support is different from the men's team, which again is good. And is ethically good to give all your young fans role models.

The club need to invest in it, find a smaller ground for them to use (Dronfield, maybe, or they might even be able to use Hallam at that level?) and have some stability. With a competitive team, attendances will pick up. I'm guessing the men's team doing well and playing 2-3 times per week didn't help either.

 

[Deadbat]

Yeah, I hope the Women's side carries on but as you say it will be a big summer to see if the new owners want to invest in it. Will be telling what happens but they may wait and see on the decision re Blackburn and being reinstated which seems to be taking an awfully long time

 

[robbiez666]

Yeah, I hope the Women's side carries on but as you say it will be a big summer to see if the new owners want to invest in it. Will be telling what happens but they may wait and see on the decision re Blackburn and being reinstated which seems to be taking an awfully long time

I assume it will end up like last year with just a team less.

 

[Beans]

I assume it will end up like last year with just a team less.

Nah there's definitely going to be 12 teams, the league body have said as much. Just still TBD on who the 12th team is - Burnley for example have just gone professional and publicly stated that they'll gladly meet the new league criteria for wages etc.