Sharp

[Grappler]

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

From a Scottish point of view, i'm surprised that no SPFL club hasn't made a move,
even the simplest, 'would you be interested?' enquiry.

 

[S64 Blade]

A few Rotherham fans I know aren't too excited by the prospect of him going there. I kind of get why, he didn't look up to Championship quality last season and they probably need someone a bit more dynamic (already have Hughill). Would probably end up as Rotherham's highest paid player as well.

 

[I should coco]

It's why we have to remember that Adkins wasn't 100% useless.

He did that one good thing and it set us up perfectly for the 100 point wonder season of 2016/17.

In the 'One of our own' podcast from the club, Billy says he was surprised it didn't work out better under Adkins and he still rated him from the time at Southampton.

 

[Slim Man]

As it stands he genuinely would start against Palace.

That in itself is so so so fucking funny.

 

[RossingtonBlade]

As it stands he genuinely would start against Palace.

That in itself is so so so fucking funny.

Yep. Honestly would explore the chances in him re-signing if I was Heckingbottom. Can’t believe he is still without a club.

 

[s20Blade]

As it stands he genuinely would start against Palace.

That in itself is so so so fucking funny.

Just give him the contract now for me, would make for some interesting premier league stats.

 

[Toronto Blade]

Might as well bring him back to join the other grandads Fleck and Norwood

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

 

[Addison]

Sharp on what he'll do when he retires

"I'll probably become Wrexham manager when Parkinson gets the sack!"

 

[BettingBlade]

RaTtLeD

 

[ThatJa]

Love that interview

 

[Foxy]

In isolation, it looks a little petty, but the editing and rewriting of history is on its way, so I guess it’s a preemptive strike.

Imagine knowing so little about football that you’ve one of those hot takes in the comments

Imagine the style of pelters and accusations made when your own club employs Phil Parkinson and Shaun Harvey… I still recall his utter bollocks responses and him embarrassing himself about the FLT… developing the future of young English players indeed

 

[biggiesablade]

Will someone copy and paste the article in the Athletic for a brother? Come on ma dawgs

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

He’s enjoyed a successful start to life in Major League Soccer, but Billy Sharp was not supposed to be in Los Angeles five weeks into the Premier League season. If the Galaxy striker had his way, he would still be in his hometown of Sheffield, England, playing for his boyhood club Sheffield United.

But before the 2022-23 season, the 37-year-old was told by Sheffield United hierarchy that he would be offered a one-year contract as a more peripheral player, contributing as a leader and culture-setter in the dressing room with a somewhat limited role on the field. That season ended with the Blades’ promotion from the second-division EFL Championship to the Premier League, but Sharp would not be a part of the Blades’ return to the top division.

“I got told I was getting one more year,” Sharp tells The Athletic. “I wanted to go into the Premier League with everybody knowing it was my last year, and then it was up to me whether I’d retire after that. I had my heart set on coming back to play the Premier League and committing to playing whatever minutes it would be. When that opportunity didn’t come, it was difficult to digest.”

In the pantheon of strikers in the Championship, Sharp ranks among the very best. In January 2022, he passed one-time England international David Nugent as the league’s record goalscorer with 122 goals in 348 appearances. A large portion (117) of the 240 goals he scored in English league football – the highest total in the 21st century – came with Sheffield United, where he started and finished his career in England and enjoys legend status.


Sharp left Sheffield United after the 2022-23 season (George Wood/Getty Images)
Arguably, his most notable contribution in his last season with Sheffield United came in the FA Cup, scoring the winner deep into injury time to knock Wrexham out and thus ending their fairytale run to the Fourth Round.

Sharp then made headlines for his involvement in a confrontation between both sets of players in the tunnel after the full-time whistle and for comments regarding the refereeing, which he later apologized for. With the corresponding episode of “Welcome to Wrexham” set to air soon, Sharp is looking forward to watching the show unfold.

“If they want to put me in the documentary, go ahead,” he said. “I think people in Los Angeles probably know me now for scoring goals rather than knocking (Wrexham) out of the FA Cup. People don’t even know the real story. Wrexham will put out what they want to on their documentary, and maybe I’ll put out my own and tell them what really happened.”

So, what really happened?

“I scored the goal, which knocked them out, and a little scuffle happened in the changing room,” he said. “I don’t really like their manager anyway from past experiences, and he probably doesn’t like me. It’s just one of those things in football where it sometimes gets very overheated…I know what they’re going to do; they’re going to show the clips that make me look like a baddie. That’s fine. I’ll wait to see what happens and have my say afterwards. The record book says we beat them in the FA Cup, so they can have a documentary about it if they want.”

go-deeper
GO DEEPER

At last, Wrexham's most painful loss doesn't feel so devastating

With his future in doubt, Sharp was visibly emotional in the promotion parade as he came to terms with the prospect of not retiring at Bramall Lane. He had several offers on the table from Championship and League One clubs but started the European season unattached as he waited for a situation that fit his aspirations.

“Playing for someone else in English football was always going to be the hard part for me,” says Sharp. “The opportunities just were not exciting me…Then this opportunity came along, and playing abroad is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s not something I thought would come around at this stage of my career – I was jumping at the chance to come here, and my family were on board as well, and they’re really enjoying it.”

Away from football, Sharp has settled into life in Southern California like a duck to water. He bounced into the interview room with a strawberry and banana smoothie in his hand after spending an evening at Dodgers Stadium for his first baseball game, something he is keen to take his family to again. A trip to Los Angeles Zoo is the only time he has been recognized outside the perimeter of Galaxy’s home stadium, a welcome relief for Sharp and family, who could barely walk ten meters in Sheffield’s town center without someone stopping him for a picture or an autograph.

On the pitch, the transition could not have gone much better, either. After signing a short-term deal until the end of the season, Sharp opened his MLS account on his debut, tucking away a 90th-minute penalty after entering the field as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire. He added his second to equalize against Western Conference leaders St. Louis City in a 2-2 draw and won his first start in a defeat to LAFC last weekend, where he scored his third goal.

“As a striker, you want to hit the ground running with that first goal,” says Sharp. “Riqui (Puig) gave me a penalty in my first game, which he usually takes, which was nice of him, so I owe him one for that. I’ve had a few issues getting up to speed because I haven’t had a proper pre-season, and these boys are mid-season, so I’m taking the time to get up to 90 minutes (fit).”

Sharp’s goals will be essential if the Galaxy are to qualify for the postseason. The Galaxy are without club captain and designated player Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who has been placed on the season-ending list after suffering an ACL injury. Serbia international Dejan Joveljic, the club’s other first-team striker, has struggled to impact games from the start, so head coach Greg Vanney is expected to lean on Sharp’s experience in leading the line as his fitness improves. As are the fans, who have shown their appreciation for the 37-year-old with a chant to the tune of “Baby Shark”, a catchy children’s song that took the world by storm during lockdown.

But what does he think of it?

“I don’t understand it,” says Sharp. “I’m sure the tune of the song that Sheffield United fans used to sing was an American song (Give it Up by KC and the Sunshine Band). If that’s what they want to sing, that’s fine. They’ve been really supportive of me. I don’t think they really want to sing that because it’s kind of half-hearted. They’re just trying to get behind me, which I’m obviously thankful for. It did happen in England, but it soon stopped. Listen, I’m not overly fussed, but if they sang the other one… yeah.”


Sharp and Puig have formed an effective partnership in LA (Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
In MLS and Los Angeles specifically, much of the inspiration for how American soccer fans experience the game comes from south of the border in Mexico and South America. Sharp experienced the noisy North End in LAFC’s BMO Stadium during last weekend’s disappointing 4-2 defeat at the hands of the MLS Cup champions, and the Galaxy’s supporters’ groups often chant in Spanish. Galaxy’s dressing room is no different – 10 of the 18 players in the defeat to LAFC are Spanish-speakers. This led to some awkward early exchanges for Sharp, whose Spanish is basic, as he navigated the dynamics during his first few sessions.

“It’s a bit like when I was at Southampton; it was quite South American in the changing room then,” laughs Sharp. “I can’t speak Spanish, but I understand some of the words and their jokes. One of the first times I sat down to eat my lunch at one of the tables, it was just all Spanish. They asked me, ‘Do you want us to speak English?’ and I replied, as a joke, ‘No, I understand what you’re saying.’

“They’ve all been great. That was one of the things for me: going into the changing room was weird because I’d had it the same for eight years, and I was the captain. It took two or three days, but a lot of things are the same: the talk and the banter.”

Naturally, given the esteem he holds in England and, particularly, with Sheffield United, a career in coaching feels like an obvious next step for when he finally hangs up his boots. He completed his UEFA A License coaching qualification in England and coaches his son’s local club in his spare time, something he enjoys and takes seriously.

Still, he’s not ready to call quits on his career yet. He’s scoring goals at an impressive rate, and the prospect of beating LAFC and facing Inter Miami, potentially both at the Rose Bowl, motivates him to earn a contract for next season.

But, Billy, when you do retire, whenever that may be, what are you going to do?

“I’ll probably become Wrexham manager when (Phil) Parkinson gets the sack,” he said with a laugh.

 

[tyke1889]

Billy doing what Billy does, again

 

[adiosmiamigo]

Billy doing what Billy does, again

I think most Blades would like to see him back home at the Blades in some capacity.

 

[adiosmiamigo]

I think most Blades would like to see him back home at the Blades in some capacity.

Billy the Hatrick.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Galaxy home shirt player version heavily reduced on the MLS store. Without nameset though. Bizarrely now costs less than the replica (shitter) fan version.

Will get nameset done locally.

 

[Dkc]

Seems a bit strange that he was told that he'd get a final year, then he was told that he wouldn't. Especially when the manager made no secret about his desire for Billy to stay.

Seems the decision was taken out of PH's hands.

 

[Champagneblade]

Seems a bit strange that he was told that he'd get a final year, then he was told that he wouldn't. Especially when the manager made no secret about his desire for Billy to stay.

Seems the decision was taken out of PH's hands.

Could well be Hecky before he sees the Board saying he’d like to keep everyone.

But then there is the financial reality and the longevity aspect. As a Prem club it does allow you to attract some young up and coming players that might not fancy you as a club lower down. Different once you have your claws in them!

Do you miss that chance to build for the future to keep Billy and Enda in the building, on probably decent wages, when they might not play?

It’s a hard one but it is still probably the right decision. It doesn’t for one minute stop us revelling in Billy’s success and if truth be known, it may well extend his career. If he stayed one more year, that opportunity might not have been there and ending his career at BDTBL might have been hard to top. But now he has a new home and he can probably even get a few more years out of his career than he might have done.

 

[jt64]

Seems a bit strange that he was told that he'd get a final year, then he was told that he wouldn't. Especially when the manager made no secret about his desire for Billy to stay.

Seems the decision was taken out of PH's hands.

As it should have been

 

[Blademan18891889]

Absolutely no where near good enough last season in the championship, nowhere near good enough last time in the premiership so wouldn't even remotely be close to doing anything this season. Just because he was brilliant for us getting us from league one to the premiership it doesn't mean you just continue paying a bloke 1m plus a year because of it. It's worked out Absolutely perfect for him to see his career out in a great place playing in a conference or at best league 2 standard where he's still easily good enough to play a big part and enjoy his football. Time moves on as has Billy sharp. Best for both parties.

 

[Dkc]

As it should have been

You may think Billy didn't merit another year, but do you think it's fine for the manager to be overruled in his decisions on who plays for the club?

 

[Weasel]

You may think Billy didn't merit another year, but do you think it's fine for the manager to be overruled in his decisions on who plays for the club?

You could argue that they happensost of the time in transfer windows anyway. If PH had gone to the board and said I want X and Y who were both in their 30s and which didnt fit the club's strategy for incoming players then quite rightly he would be told 'no' by the board unless there was real mitigating circumstances which made it an exception that these were needed. Billy (as much as we all loved him) is 37 and is no longer the future. Perhaps PH can count himself lucky that they allowed him to resign some of the others. I think the board were right to step in and make the decisions they did if they told him that Billy and Enda had to move on. I'd have told him that he couldn't give JF one either if I was on the board.

 

[jt64]

You may think Billy didn't merit another year, but do you think it's fine for the manager to be overruled in his decisions on who plays for the club?

Yes. Coaching the players and preparing them for matches is a full time job for multiple people. Scouting and recruitment is an entirely different full time job for multiple people. The manager should never be in a position to do both. Players are contracted to SUFC, not Paul Heckingbottom, and 95% of player's contracts will outlast the manager at the point the contract is signed, and frankly if managers are overly involved, they will generally favour short termism which is the best to help them keep their job, rather than longer term views as to what is best for the club. In my eyes the only time a manager should ever be asked to be involved is to break ties when you have two evenly matched potential incoming players as to which they would prefer.

Decisions on Sharp, JOC, Stevens, Fleck and Osborn should have taken all of fifteen seconds in terms of retention for the PL with a discussion going "no, no, no, no, he's versatile I guess but no", yet we are stuck paying two of them for another year

 

[JPBrods]

Nice assist last night in another late comeback for the Galaxy to keep their season going.
He’s having more fun there than he would be here that’s for sure.

 

[Frank the tank]

Next manager ?

 

[jono_t2000]

Nice assist last night in another late comeback for the Galaxy to keep their season going.
He’s having more fun there than he would be here that’s for sure.