Deadbat
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The end of season has seen some jubilant, amusing and downright bizarre celebrations to mark United's promotion. For a bit of fun; I thought I'd give a quick summary of events and rate the players for their efforts. Some have been lower key than others but a few have somehow enhanced their reputation despite it not being to do with a single ball kicked!
I will start off with how the final weeks unfolded....and try and sum up some of the crazy celebrations…..
Easter weekend
Saw the win against Forest and then the incredible win for Wigan with 10 men at Leeds...this was when United got 2nd back and saw fans start to believe. We had a tough game at Hull but a tremendous performance saw the away fans really now think we could do it and the singing and chants at Hull for almost 90 minutes was something else. Some stayed in Hull to watch the Leeds game at Brentford. We watched it on Skygo on the train. Several were huddled round phones which are like the modern-day transistor radio. The delays between some feeds/phones meant the cheers were staggered down the train. I got texts from my son which came up before the goals were seen on Sky. Great scenes on full time as we now knew we were so close with a win at the Lane that could effectively promote us.
Ipswich
The longest wait for a game seemingly in years. It was only 5 days but seemed like so much longer. Fans flip flopped between we will do it and this team is different to we will blow it- we always do! United put in a superb performance with everyone bang at it and swarmed all over Ipswich. The first goal settled the nerves and then the second saw the whole place go berserk and the relief and euphoria mixed in was something to behold. There were flares all over the ground and on full time the players came together in a huddle. Some looked in shock. Recall Duffy just stood with his head in his hands. Sharp was so elated punching the air as he went to the Loo. We were so close and I think even the most pessimistic Blade thought we were there.
After the game there was the usual melee on London Road with hundreds of fans in the road and mostly good-natured scenes with several more flares....buses had to turn around. Seeing the same scenes around the Cricketers and then even in Woodseats the Big Tree was jumping.
Promotion confirmed on the Sunday
I watched the Leeds game at home and the fury when they scored quickly evaporated when Bielsa let Villa scored...the last part of the game and the stoppage time added seemed to pasta eternity but then as Villa cleared another Leeds chance it seemed that was it. Leeds knocked one final ball forward but it went out and the ref blew for full time.
At the Lane this is when the celebrations really started. We saw the players massed together and Richard Stearman banging his pint glass down just after throwing a whole pint over the players. George Baldock was on the shoulders of someone and Sharp was to the fore as always. We then saw Wilder and Sharp doing live interviews on Sky TV as Wilder was singing the Coutts song mid interview before quickly trying to professional and do the interview. He quickly lapsed into the passionate Wilder mode and called some Leeds players muppets. McGoldrick rang Leon Clarke and the rest of the squad sang to him which was a nice touch.
The players were seen celebrating to the Billy Sharp song (KC and the Sunshine band, Give It Up!’), the Olly Norwood song (George Ezra) ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Living on a Prayer’ etc. We saw Wilder’s wife showing Dean Henderson a few dance moves and then Martin Cranie was seen with his shirt off singing Wonderwall, with a slight variation – ‘say Cranie, you're gonna be the one that saves me.’
Wilder’s interview to Radio Sheffield he was genuinely choked. The players were seen on the pitch singing and then they eventually came around to the Car Park to see the fans in attendance.
We were treated to Billy Sharp jumping on a Range Rover, Marvin Johnson throwing up, Fleck and Coutts high fiving fans, McGoldrick and Wilder dancing with each other and then Egan and Stevens staying out with the fans for ages.
We got a few photos with most. Coutts seemed quite drunk as did Deano and Stearman who was twirling a flag on his own.
We then went into the bar in the hotel and the fans were freely being allowed to mix with the players. We had the full range of chants led by the skipper. Some players such as Duff, Bash, Norwood were not in the bar and a few like Jack drifted up to their rooms to get changed. Think Egan and Stevens who were just dancing with fans outside the hotel with fans singing their songs. Both these lads were telling everyone how much they love the Blades. The League one holdovers Billy, Freeman, Coutts etc were staying put and joined by Henderson, Baldock, Fleck, Deano, Madine for a bit, Stearman, Didsy, Dowell, Cranie, Bryan etc.
The next hour saw the Blades celebrating and singing mixed with the fans. There was no them and us...no barrier. I say down and John Fleck was next to me having a breather after Billy put him on his shoulders. Players were having photos and all filming themselves going crazy.
Stears was destroyed and could barely stand – the pictures and videos of him throwing beer around and putting a glass on his head after trying to drop every bit of beer went viral. Deano left at this point but Stears was going on and on ‘Derrr, derrr, derr, Stearman’s f****g blindo’ was the chant from players and fans alike. Maybe the least likely player you expect to go so mad! Billy and Coutts also clearly had taken rather a few drinks in....lots of anti Wednesday/Leeds songs. Billy taking his shirt off to "You fat bastard!' and being lifted shoulder high and then headbutting a light. Players were taking it turn leading the chants. Even Didsy led a song and was spraying beer. They Facetimed Duffy in his room and sang the September song to him as he put his tie on.
The woman Sue who does all the player liaison came in and told Billy to get them out and ready for the player of the year do but he wasn't listening. It was like his Mum telling him off. Eventually they went away into the lifts.
The player of the year do saw Egan take centre stage with Baldock acting as the classic wing man and then beckoning him to the stage… Baldock discussed how his defensive teammate has created a song and then Egan came back and suddenly asked the whole squad and backroom to come up and this incredible song was born. After some banter with manager Wilder over his accent and him being from ‘Cork’ Egan took over. The song was to the Allez, Allez, Allez! song that many clubs sing but the lyrics were very clever and suddenly every fan had seen it on social media and the infamous line, ‘If you go to a pub in Ireland, you have got to have a song…if you don’t have a song you might as well not go in the pub at all.’ Baldock seemed to know all the words but a few others did. At this point Henderson was struggling and Coutts was barely able to stand with his mate Fleck holding him up. McGoldrick was a popular winner of player of the year and Sharp and Henderson won awards as did Bash for goal of the season.
The following day saw more drinking with Henderson, Sharp, Wilder, Knill and Basham at the Star Sports Awards at the Meadowhead Doubletree hotel. Basham described how he was 11/10 for how drunk he was/had been as United cleaned up. Bash was given player of the year, United team of the year and Wilder manager of the year. Henderson also was given an award for young player of the year. After being interviewed by James Shield and then Billy Sharp, Bash was likened to a steam train and was seen puffing into an ecig and blowing smoke out and pretending to be a train!
Around the city most of the players were still ‘on it’. Coutts allegedly fell asleep at the Crucible after watching one frame and drinking the referee’s water! He was seen stumbling around town some time after. The same evening as the Star Awards, we saw videos of Egan, Stevens and Dowell in the Grapes Pub singing Irish songs. The players then all met up and were seen in Crystal bar later. Wilder was seen in various pubs on Ecclesall Road and Broomhill in the next few days. The players eventually went back into training around the middle of the week and got ready for Stoke.
Stoke and post match
After Stoke with great scenes at half time both here and at the Lane for the beam back; we had the players celebrating as a team on the pitch with McGoldrick in particular enjoying himself! Egan did the song again and then again on the coach. Bash led the players on a train like conga mocking his earlier video in the week! Back at the Lane, fans started to gather in the car park and with a huge flag near the hotel and across from the Railway and flares starting to fire up; the numbers steadily grew. I had been to Champs and the Sheaf Island where songs and much drinking ensued! Back near the Lane, the pubs on here were packed with more singing and partying long before the coach arrived. We received news that it was around 20 miles away and then it arrived. The crash barrier put in place did not work and the fans surged all down to the Stand. The coach had to crawl in and with flares emanating around it; the scenes were reminiscent of that you see on the continent. The players could not really get off the coach without having to crowd surf and after a few had come out and started some chants (Madine with a ‘Mind the Gap’) before Knill, Stevens, Sharp all jumped into the crowds and then eventually made it into the ground – we later saw videos of Martin Cranie pretending to be an airline captain with a megaphone and describing the coming days where they will be on a plane to Vegas. The players then were wearing Mexican dress with hats etc as part of another celebration. We had Cranie again singing Wonderwall, Mr Brightside and Angels. In his pants. Of course. We had Billy diving into the crowd after singing his song again.
It seemed like the celebrations would never stop….the team and fans had a day off before the town hall parade.
Town hall parade
More understated than maybe a few years ago and the feeling that the players and maybe fans had burnt themselves out…the weather was not great but there were thousands at the Lane, on route and back at the town hall. We had screens put up everywhere and Premier League banners emblazoned on lampposts all round town. Even the o2 had lettering normally for upcoming gigs; had the words ‘Night Out in Sheffield.’ There were more flares lit and the team arrived to great noise. The sound/pictures were not great and Gary Sinclair was a bit cringeworthy (all this mind the gap and anti Wednesday/Leeds stuff was too much). The players were in the town hall meeting the departing mayor and the dignitaries before being welcomed out with each area of the team coming out in stages. We had all the normal songs although the sound did not help everyone be in unison and then Martin Cranie led more sing songs (after having his trousers pulled down by Madine) although maybe he had the mic a bit too long also! The players (Cranie aside who seemed to be singing the same songs later at a private event in Town – somewhere at WestOne?) The final part of the evening saw the players stood on the stage for a period and milked the songs/applause.
It was good to see the players for the last time before they went on their own final end of season trip – Wilder and Sharp both seemed quite emotional again and they came out last and were presented to the masses as they stood on the erected platform and clearly soaked it all in. The Greasy Chip Butty lyrics were sang for the final time before the players and fans moved off. The players to Vegas (the next day) and some of the fans for a final drink.
I will start off with how the final weeks unfolded....and try and sum up some of the crazy celebrations…..
Easter weekend
Saw the win against Forest and then the incredible win for Wigan with 10 men at Leeds...this was when United got 2nd back and saw fans start to believe. We had a tough game at Hull but a tremendous performance saw the away fans really now think we could do it and the singing and chants at Hull for almost 90 minutes was something else. Some stayed in Hull to watch the Leeds game at Brentford. We watched it on Skygo on the train. Several were huddled round phones which are like the modern-day transistor radio. The delays between some feeds/phones meant the cheers were staggered down the train. I got texts from my son which came up before the goals were seen on Sky. Great scenes on full time as we now knew we were so close with a win at the Lane that could effectively promote us.
Ipswich
The longest wait for a game seemingly in years. It was only 5 days but seemed like so much longer. Fans flip flopped between we will do it and this team is different to we will blow it- we always do! United put in a superb performance with everyone bang at it and swarmed all over Ipswich. The first goal settled the nerves and then the second saw the whole place go berserk and the relief and euphoria mixed in was something to behold. There were flares all over the ground and on full time the players came together in a huddle. Some looked in shock. Recall Duffy just stood with his head in his hands. Sharp was so elated punching the air as he went to the Loo. We were so close and I think even the most pessimistic Blade thought we were there.
After the game there was the usual melee on London Road with hundreds of fans in the road and mostly good-natured scenes with several more flares....buses had to turn around. Seeing the same scenes around the Cricketers and then even in Woodseats the Big Tree was jumping.
Promotion confirmed on the Sunday
I watched the Leeds game at home and the fury when they scored quickly evaporated when Bielsa let Villa scored...the last part of the game and the stoppage time added seemed to pasta eternity but then as Villa cleared another Leeds chance it seemed that was it. Leeds knocked one final ball forward but it went out and the ref blew for full time.
At the Lane this is when the celebrations really started. We saw the players massed together and Richard Stearman banging his pint glass down just after throwing a whole pint over the players. George Baldock was on the shoulders of someone and Sharp was to the fore as always. We then saw Wilder and Sharp doing live interviews on Sky TV as Wilder was singing the Coutts song mid interview before quickly trying to professional and do the interview. He quickly lapsed into the passionate Wilder mode and called some Leeds players muppets. McGoldrick rang Leon Clarke and the rest of the squad sang to him which was a nice touch.
The players were seen celebrating to the Billy Sharp song (KC and the Sunshine band, Give It Up!’), the Olly Norwood song (George Ezra) ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Living on a Prayer’ etc. We saw Wilder’s wife showing Dean Henderson a few dance moves and then Martin Cranie was seen with his shirt off singing Wonderwall, with a slight variation – ‘say Cranie, you're gonna be the one that saves me.’
Wilder’s interview to Radio Sheffield he was genuinely choked. The players were seen on the pitch singing and then they eventually came around to the Car Park to see the fans in attendance.
We were treated to Billy Sharp jumping on a Range Rover, Marvin Johnson throwing up, Fleck and Coutts high fiving fans, McGoldrick and Wilder dancing with each other and then Egan and Stevens staying out with the fans for ages.
We got a few photos with most. Coutts seemed quite drunk as did Deano and Stearman who was twirling a flag on his own.
We then went into the bar in the hotel and the fans were freely being allowed to mix with the players. We had the full range of chants led by the skipper. Some players such as Duff, Bash, Norwood were not in the bar and a few like Jack drifted up to their rooms to get changed. Think Egan and Stevens who were just dancing with fans outside the hotel with fans singing their songs. Both these lads were telling everyone how much they love the Blades. The League one holdovers Billy, Freeman, Coutts etc were staying put and joined by Henderson, Baldock, Fleck, Deano, Madine for a bit, Stearman, Didsy, Dowell, Cranie, Bryan etc.
The next hour saw the Blades celebrating and singing mixed with the fans. There was no them and us...no barrier. I say down and John Fleck was next to me having a breather after Billy put him on his shoulders. Players were having photos and all filming themselves going crazy.
Stears was destroyed and could barely stand – the pictures and videos of him throwing beer around and putting a glass on his head after trying to drop every bit of beer went viral. Deano left at this point but Stears was going on and on ‘Derrr, derrr, derr, Stearman’s f****g blindo’ was the chant from players and fans alike. Maybe the least likely player you expect to go so mad! Billy and Coutts also clearly had taken rather a few drinks in....lots of anti Wednesday/Leeds songs. Billy taking his shirt off to "You fat bastard!' and being lifted shoulder high and then headbutting a light. Players were taking it turn leading the chants. Even Didsy led a song and was spraying beer. They Facetimed Duffy in his room and sang the September song to him as he put his tie on.
The woman Sue who does all the player liaison came in and told Billy to get them out and ready for the player of the year do but he wasn't listening. It was like his Mum telling him off. Eventually they went away into the lifts.
The player of the year do saw Egan take centre stage with Baldock acting as the classic wing man and then beckoning him to the stage… Baldock discussed how his defensive teammate has created a song and then Egan came back and suddenly asked the whole squad and backroom to come up and this incredible song was born. After some banter with manager Wilder over his accent and him being from ‘Cork’ Egan took over. The song was to the Allez, Allez, Allez! song that many clubs sing but the lyrics were very clever and suddenly every fan had seen it on social media and the infamous line, ‘If you go to a pub in Ireland, you have got to have a song…if you don’t have a song you might as well not go in the pub at all.’ Baldock seemed to know all the words but a few others did. At this point Henderson was struggling and Coutts was barely able to stand with his mate Fleck holding him up. McGoldrick was a popular winner of player of the year and Sharp and Henderson won awards as did Bash for goal of the season.
The following day saw more drinking with Henderson, Sharp, Wilder, Knill and Basham at the Star Sports Awards at the Meadowhead Doubletree hotel. Basham described how he was 11/10 for how drunk he was/had been as United cleaned up. Bash was given player of the year, United team of the year and Wilder manager of the year. Henderson also was given an award for young player of the year. After being interviewed by James Shield and then Billy Sharp, Bash was likened to a steam train and was seen puffing into an ecig and blowing smoke out and pretending to be a train!
Around the city most of the players were still ‘on it’. Coutts allegedly fell asleep at the Crucible after watching one frame and drinking the referee’s water! He was seen stumbling around town some time after. The same evening as the Star Awards, we saw videos of Egan, Stevens and Dowell in the Grapes Pub singing Irish songs. The players then all met up and were seen in Crystal bar later. Wilder was seen in various pubs on Ecclesall Road and Broomhill in the next few days. The players eventually went back into training around the middle of the week and got ready for Stoke.
Stoke and post match
After Stoke with great scenes at half time both here and at the Lane for the beam back; we had the players celebrating as a team on the pitch with McGoldrick in particular enjoying himself! Egan did the song again and then again on the coach. Bash led the players on a train like conga mocking his earlier video in the week! Back at the Lane, fans started to gather in the car park and with a huge flag near the hotel and across from the Railway and flares starting to fire up; the numbers steadily grew. I had been to Champs and the Sheaf Island where songs and much drinking ensued! Back near the Lane, the pubs on here were packed with more singing and partying long before the coach arrived. We received news that it was around 20 miles away and then it arrived. The crash barrier put in place did not work and the fans surged all down to the Stand. The coach had to crawl in and with flares emanating around it; the scenes were reminiscent of that you see on the continent. The players could not really get off the coach without having to crowd surf and after a few had come out and started some chants (Madine with a ‘Mind the Gap’) before Knill, Stevens, Sharp all jumped into the crowds and then eventually made it into the ground – we later saw videos of Martin Cranie pretending to be an airline captain with a megaphone and describing the coming days where they will be on a plane to Vegas. The players then were wearing Mexican dress with hats etc as part of another celebration. We had Cranie again singing Wonderwall, Mr Brightside and Angels. In his pants. Of course. We had Billy diving into the crowd after singing his song again.
It seemed like the celebrations would never stop….the team and fans had a day off before the town hall parade.
Town hall parade
More understated than maybe a few years ago and the feeling that the players and maybe fans had burnt themselves out…the weather was not great but there were thousands at the Lane, on route and back at the town hall. We had screens put up everywhere and Premier League banners emblazoned on lampposts all round town. Even the o2 had lettering normally for upcoming gigs; had the words ‘Night Out in Sheffield.’ There were more flares lit and the team arrived to great noise. The sound/pictures were not great and Gary Sinclair was a bit cringeworthy (all this mind the gap and anti Wednesday/Leeds stuff was too much). The players were in the town hall meeting the departing mayor and the dignitaries before being welcomed out with each area of the team coming out in stages. We had all the normal songs although the sound did not help everyone be in unison and then Martin Cranie led more sing songs (after having his trousers pulled down by Madine) although maybe he had the mic a bit too long also! The players (Cranie aside who seemed to be singing the same songs later at a private event in Town – somewhere at WestOne?) The final part of the evening saw the players stood on the stage for a period and milked the songs/applause.
It was good to see the players for the last time before they went on their own final end of season trip – Wilder and Sharp both seemed quite emotional again and they came out last and were presented to the masses as they stood on the erected platform and clearly soaked it all in. The Greasy Chip Butty lyrics were sang for the final time before the players and fans moved off. The players to Vegas (the next day) and some of the fans for a final drink.
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