THANK YOU MARK DUFFY

[benn5712]

I wish he'd stayed but we don't know what's happened.

Sensible post Nade.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

If he had not scored that special goal at Hillsborough, would fans be quite so upset about his departure? (Scoring against the Owls automatically brings with it 'Legend' status).

Yep, considering over the 3 seasons he's arguably been our best technical, most creative player.

We generally look flat without him. He's absolutely crucial to how we've played.

 

[Working Class Hero]

If it transpires that Duffy had been offered bigger wages by Stoke, and he made that known to CW and asked him to match it, would people still be on Wilder's side? It's very possible that's what happened given that CW said himself that Duffy had other offers.

If that happened with a potential new signing, we'd all say the club are being tight.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

If it transpires that Duffy had been offered bigger wages by Stoke, and he made that known to CW and asked him to match it, would people still be on Wilder's side? It's very possible that's what happened given that CW said himself that Duffy had other offers.

If that happened with a potential new signing, we'd all say the club are being tight.

Indeed, however he's no better off as things stand. He's on the same cash, playing at a lower level in a new environment. He must be absolutely fuming with himself.

 

[burtonstreetblade]

If it transpires that Duffy had been offered bigger wages by Stoke, and he made that known to CW and asked him to match it, would people still be on Wilder's side? It's very possible that's what happened given that CW said himself that Duffy had other offers.

If that happened with a potential new signing, we'd all say the club are being tight.

From Alan Biggs interview.
When asked if Duffy had other offers Wilder replied “That’s what he said”. Wilder was implying that Duffy had been touting himself around other clubs to use as bargaining tool against United. Wilder wasn’t having any and told him to have the weekend to think about it. Duffy came in in Monday with his agent.
Bridges burned.

For the record, Duffy has been my favourite player, behind Billy, for the last 3 years and I would have loved him to stay but Wilder is the gaffer. GLTTL and I hope he has a successful end to his career.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

If it transpires that Duffy had been offered bigger wages by Stoke, and he made that known to CW and asked him to match it, would people still be on Wilder's side? It's very possible that's what happened given that CW said himself that Duffy had other offers.

If that happened with a potential new signing, we'd all say the club are being tight.

Still doesn't explain his reaction though. I know I could get 10/20% more by moving jobs but I actually like where I work, respect the company, respect my boss and as a result get on with my job without any kind of angst.

If Duffy has thrown a stop because he could get £5k a week more elsewhere, then that doesn't reflect well on him at all - Bouncekiller or otherwise...

 

[BadgersBigToe]

Irrespective of the actual events that took place behind closed doors this just seems a total shame for club, player and fans. Good luck and thanks to Duffs and onwards and upwards for the Blades.

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

As a blade for nearly 40 years , he has been one of my favourite players to watch

Why oh why couldn't he of kept quiet , been part of the squad and taken his chance when he got it (and he would have got an opportunity ) then asked around xmas about another year

Will miss watching him play and hope I'm wrong but I think having him on the bench would have been handy and valuable esp as the new boys settle in

As others have said I think it was obvious that CW and duff didn't have the greatest of relationships at times

All the best Duff man

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

I just wonder if it didn't have something to do with Jags getting a contract at 37...…...…….

 

[Woodwardfan]

Sometimes agents lead their players up blind alleys. Having said that I don't think he would have had much playing time this season.

Great part of the Wilder 'miracle', will always be the legend that 'stopped the bounce' and all credit to Alan Knill for having faith in him and bringing him here and to whoever converted him to a 'No.10'.

Proper footballer, silky skills and played as big a part as anybody on the field.

 

[bonnet de douche]

Was always going to end this way this summer ...unless he went at the end of the season ..

He and his representatives are a feisty lot, as proven before , so not a major shock to see a bitter sweet parting .

He did his bit ..cheers ...and let's focus on moving forward .

 

[BushBlade]

Anyone who has studied the potted history of Duffy's career here will not be surprised it's ended in this way.

From Mrs Duffy's tweeting about Wilder's selection policy, to his pulling him after 60 minsin most games, to him buying a dozen players to attempt to oust him...

One assumes its been an uneasy relationship over the years...

I have wondered why someone so talented failed to make it as a youth and, having worked his way back, has been a bit of a journeyman. Maybe he’s a more difficult character than we thought? As much as I’ve enjoyed his time with us, I feel like I’ve just found out my girlfriend has been texting some bloke she works with a lot and it’s not about spreadsheets.

 

[Speedracer]

If Duffy has thrown a stop because he could get £5k a week more elsewhere, then that doesn't reflect well on him at all - Bouncekiller or otherwise...

Whilst I understand the point you are making, £260k extra over the 12 months is a substantial amount of money, especially for someone coming to the end of their earning potential as a player.
I am deeply saddened by this, Duffs has been my favourite player to watch over the last three years & I would have loved seeing him perform in the Premier League, something I have no doubts at all he could still do, but sadly it is now not meant to be. We have no idea what happened or what was said in that meeting with Chrissy, until such time as one of them writes their biography, & I have no doubt that the end result was not what either party wanted & could have been handled better, but I suppose CW had to take the stance he has otherwise everyone would be knocking his door wanting more.
Thanks for the memories Mark.

 

[theoneandonly36]

My first post having watched this forum for years has to be a tribute to a genius footballer. Whatever has happened will not take away the memories.
That isn’t saying Tufty is wrong, sometimes a manager has to make a stand. Just imagine what would have happened to the group team spirit if one person had been allowed to demand extra. Then Fleck, then Bash etc etc ...
I sincerely hope he returns from loan, admits he was wrong and reignites his form.
In truth we never looked the same without him. Less creativity, fewer incisive balls past defences and less natural understanding of the runs others make.
If that is too good to believe, let’s hope the incoming midfielders have that genius.

 

[Harry's Game]

His wife thinks there has been jealousy in some quarters since bouncing day at the high regard Duffy has been held in since then with the fans.

 

[Bayingblade]

How many of us had heard of Mark Duffy before CW signed him (on a free)? His career up to that time had been nothing special. Whatever the relationship between the two, Duffy's time with the Blades has been the most productive of his career, so Wilder got the best out of him.
If he had not scored that special goal at Hillsborough, would fans be quite so upset about his departure? (Scoring against the Owls automatically brings with it 'Legend' status).

I liked Duffy, by the way, and would have preferred him to stay, but I'm just trying to insert a little balance into this thread.

I think quite a few of us knew of the Duffster before he came, BB. We remember him ripping us apart on numerous occasions when he played for Scunny. I seem to remember the general consensus when he signed was "about bloody time"!
Really sorry to see him go as I think he would offer us something this season but I will always remember him as the golden cog in the Wilder machine. Whoever replaces him in the 10 role will have to be very, very good...…..here's hoping.

 

[Snowman]

They’re both Mardies.

 

[BushBlade]

His wife thinks there has been jealousy in some quarters since bouncing day at the high regard Duffy has been held in since then with the fans.

That’s mental though. CW is the most popular manager I’ve ever known at the Lane.

 

[guancheblade]

Nose, meet knife.

Wilder may live to regret this.

 

[PokerBlade]

Still doesn't explain his reaction though. I know I could get 10/20% more by moving jobs but I actually like where I work, respect the company, respect my boss and as a result get on with my job without any kind of angst.

If Duffy has thrown a stop because he could get £5k a week more elsewhere, then that doesn't reflect well on him at all - Bouncekiller or otherwise...

But if you had an offer on the table for 20% more down the round for the same work, I wouldn't blame you for saying to the boss "I'd rather be here so can you do anything to get close to this other place?". And if the boss said "No, and here's why" I wouldn't blame him either. You'd then have a personal choice to make and I don't think it would reflect badly on you either way.

Look, individuals have competing desires. For the most part, we'd all like to make more money, and we'd all like to have a certain level of comfort in our lifestyle. That means we've pretty much all had to make a decision like this, whether it's to take extra shifts or to move companies. Often enough there's not a wrong answer.

A lot of the time people part ways there's not a bad actor. If Duffy doesn't play regularly at his age that's probably the end to his playing career. And he doesn't have a lot of time left to make money playing football. At the same time, Wilder's signed big competition for his place in the team, and Duffy's value to us decreases with that. If those two things aren't reconcilable in a way that is best for both parties, that's a shame but it doesn't have to mean that anyone did anything wrong or that it should reflect badly on anyone.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Of all the players I've loved through the decades, Mark Duffy easily stands alongside the very best of them etched on my memory for ever. My Dad insisted I saw Jimmy Hagan play many times, but I have very vague memories of him. I can remember Ringstead and Hawksworth as my earliest heroes, and I won't bore you with my very long list of Blades legends. I'm relishing the new season, along with all the rest of you, but I'm very sad at not being able to see Mark Duffy play in the Prem. I must say that I have similar feelings about Paul Coutts, though obviously for different reasons.
John Harris was my all-time Manager-Hero, and there are a significant number of great Blades players on my list who played for him.
I have long wished to see someone come along and equal what John Harris did, and to "Blend-it-like-Harris" in order to excite my senses (OK, OK - Fill Up My Senses). Chris Wilder is almost there - no other manager has come anywhere near. I admit that, given the task Wilder faced, he has already achieved miracle status and in many ways has eclipsed the achievements of the legendary John Harris.

CW's man-management skills cannot be in doubt for me, and having experienced some of the illogical and sometimes humiliating nonsense that dressing-room pantomime psychology throws at you from spoilt young lads who can thrill you on the field, hug you off it, and then stab you in the back, I stand firm in my belief in this man. I stood back to let him struggle past me in the stands at Huddersfield many years ago as he took his seat with the fans (he was nursing a long-term injury) and I admired his tenacity as a player back then; I am astonished at his achievements now as a manager.

Chris Wilder and Mark Duffy will always be heros to me. Countless "THANK-YOU's" to both of them.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Nose, meet knife.

Wilder may live to regret this.

Be hard to ever prove whether Duffy would have made any difference or not if we do go down won’t it.

 

[guancheblade]

Be hard to ever prove whether Duffy would have made any difference or not if we do go down won’t it.

General productivity in front of goal may be a decent barometer however.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

General productivity in front of goal may be a decent barometer however.

I get where you’re coming from but Duffy has never played in the top flight so no one has any idea how productive he would be and how he would cope. The greater quality of opposition and their scouting could easily have completely nullified him or he might have been fantastic like our own version of David Silva (sort of). We will never know now, which is sad I grant you, but we can never prove what difference he would (not could) have made.

 

[BushBlade]

Be hard to ever prove whether Duffy would have made any difference or not if we do go down won’t it.

No, it’s easy. Just keep posting it until it becomes fact.

 

[penthouseblade]

I dunno. Seem we arent allowed to question Wilder at any point. Unless it's about carruthers etc..than it's fine. Some.people had the audacity to question their signing. How very dare they!. And they were proved wrong. Weren't tthey?
Duffy probably contributed to his own downfall but it's no way to reward a loyal servant imo.
I've had to make business decisions before, regarding top employees who've tried it on and overvalued themselves, theres a couple of ways to resolve it. I'd rather point out why they're valued but being a bit silly, give them a while to think about it

I think it was a case of 'how' you'd said something, not 'what' you'd said? Plenty of folk seem to be questioning the wisdom of this act, myself included, but, as sad as it is, I really do believe Wilder has done the right thing.

Not sure if anyone else has suggested this, but imagine if Duffy had been granted more money and the extension he wanted. I believe he signed a contract not so long ago with a promotion bonus included? It would open the door for every member of the squad (apart from new signings of course) to demand the same. Obviously the club/squad doesn't need that sort of a shit storm, especially so close the start of the season. We probably couldn't afford it anyway? Also, I remember Wilder saying he gave Duffy a few days off to think about it?

Having observed and listened Wilder these last few years, do you really think he would have binned Duffy off in the same manner as say FLN?! I think not....

Anyway, fuck it. What's done is done. We've got great memories of the guy and signed what appear to be superb replacements! Onwards and upwards pal....

UTB

 

[GrayBlade]

Cheers Duffs and good luck pal. Every time I spray on the Viktor and Rolf I’ll think of all the good days you gave us Blades.

 

[Argentinemanager]

Just got to say thanks for the memories, one of the greatest footballers to grace the lane, always showed for the ball never hid, Mark Duffy you will always be welcomed by the supporters, the total respect for you will never diminish, part of the trinity. Good luck in the future

 

[Snowman]

Squad Numbers just released. I see they've retired 21 in his honour.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

No, it’s easy. Just keep posting it until it becomes fact.

Ah yes the S24SU way should have remembered