When and why did you become a Blade?

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Grew up in Doncaster and when I got into playing football in about Year 2, we all started picking teams. Everyone chose Liverpool, Leeds or Man U, as Donny Rovers were in Div 3 then and no kid wanted that. Given my whole family (going back as far as anyone alive can remember) is from Sheffield, we are very much divided between Blue and Red.

A choice had to be made and I made it at 7 or 8. I don’t know why, but I chose the Blades and I can still remember where I was when I announced it to my parents. Dad (an Owl) was disappointed, Mum (a Blade) was obviously not. Consequently, a life of ups and downs was born and although we’ve never won anything, God it’s been exciting.

Shame I’ve never really been able to go with my Dad, though I have been to watch Wednesday a few times as a kid. I do take my mum on Boxing Day every year though.

No amount of disappointment as a Blade and nothing about Wednesday’s history, ‘success’ or club at all has ever made me regret that decision.

Made some bad decisions since, maybe I should defer all choices to 8 year old me.
 



My older brother supported Wednesday but I was excited by the signing of Alex Sabella in the wake of the 1978 World Cup. Also United were in a higher division than Wendy and therefore had a team group and badge in the Football 78 Panini sticker album and I liked United's modern Admiral kit more than Wednesday's old-fashioned plain blue and white stripes. First 3 seasons: Relegation, Boxing Day Massacre, Relegation.
 
Cheets said:
My older brother supported Wednesday but I was excited by the signing of Alex Sabella in the wake of the 1978 World Cup. Also United were in a higher division than Wendy and therefore had a team group and badge in the Football 78 Panini sticker album and I liked United's modern Admiral kit more than Wednesday's old-fashioned plain blue and white stripes. First 3 seasons: Relegation, Boxing Day Massacre, Relegation.
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Bandwagon supporter,little better than a modern day Chelsea fan
 
HighfieldBlade said:
I lived just off Bramall Lane and I was a bit of a curious street urchin in the '70s. Without telling my mum, I used to just wander off into the ground through the exit gates on BL to watch the last 15-20 minutes of games.
The rest, as they say, is history.
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Did you have a red and white shirt with number 7 on the back?
 
ForgeBlade said:
I've typed this story on here before, but why not tell it again.

I grew up in Intake, and most of my schoolmates in the early 90's were either pigs, or not bothered about football. My dad wasn't interested, so my introduction to the sport came through collecting and trading footy stickers in the playground.

Once, I remember, I had an offer to go with a misguided friend to Hillsborough, but for reasons that are lost to time, it didn't happen. However, the only local team I ever heard about was the unclean. My uncle at the time (by marriage, since divorced and I've not seen him for years) was, and to the best of my knowledge still is, a die-hard Blade, and when I was about 7-8, offered to take me to the lane. My reply still haunts me..."no thanks, I want to watch a proper team like Sheffield Wednesday."

(I'm sorry...I was young and stupid and a victim of my environment. I have made up for it since, many, many times over).

Time passed and a little while later, presumably after resisting the urge to kill me in cold blood, he offered again. This time I was more open to the idea, and a ticket was duly purchased for me to attend Bramall Lane (and a football match) for the very first time.

Cut to September 10th 1994. My uncle picked me up from home, and we arrived in the upstairs room of the Cricketers. The noisy, smoky atmosphere was like nothing I'd ever experienced, and I immediately thought it was "cool" to be somewhere like this. After a couple of hours of mooching around with other kids while my uncle played cards with his mates, we decamped to the Kop. I can remember it was Row "O" and seat 80-something. I can also remember the very first moment I walked onto the kop. The noise, the sights, the smell of pies, fags, sweat and Bovril. From that first fateful moment I was a Blade for the rest of my life. I remember trying to understand the words to the songs (in particular I remember wondering what a "Green CJ Batty" was, during my first exposure to GCB). It was a truly life-changing experience. The first time we scored, I went mental without even knowing really why. We beat Bolton 3-1 that day, and from then on I was asking when I could go again. Wednesday no longer existed in my 8-year-old world. There was only ONE team that mattered, althought it would be a few months before I started to work out what league tables were, and how results affected the team.

Since then I have occasionally been known to mutter about my erstwhile relative "that bastard is responsible for all the money I've spent, and all the misery of (insert most recent Wembley defeat)," but despite that I'm grateful to him for introducing me to it all.

A couple of years later my dad (Numpty's Dusty Ruts. ) decided to come along to a game "to see what it was all about," and immediately got as hooked as me. That was at some point in 1996/97 season, and since then we've been going to games together, and only had a couple of season gap (when I was working every saturday) without having season tickets.

Looking back on my 31 years on Earth...the best decision I ever made was to go to the lane.
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Forgeblade's paternal grandparents (my mum and dad) came from S6, and weren't really bothered, although my mum came from a big Wendy family. Dad couldn't give a toss, he was a lovely man but thought football was stupid (and over the years he clearly had a point!). We lived in Coal Aston in the 60's and 70's and although I liked football and was a closet Blade (had the shirt, the school bag, followed the results, had mates who went), I didn't go and developed other interests - motorbikes, beer, women, beer, bikes, beer. I went to polytechnic (for you young'uns this was a centre of learning for oiks) in Coventry, where I went to a few games at Highfield Road, quite enjoyed it but thought being caged in and paying for the privilege wasn't for me at that time. Forgeblade isn't quite accurate about me being not bothered, as his bonkers uncle did ask me to go quite a few times, but I didn't because I was worried (rightly) that I'd be hooked, and I had other priorities at the time, two kids, a mortgage, and not enough cash (bonkers uncle had these too but his priorities were er.... different!). Anyway, little Forgeblade and dad Numpty went to a Tuesday night game in 96/97, Southend in the league or FA cup (can't remember which), and had a top time - I recall that we won 3-0 and the rest is history! We have had the most amazing times since, especially last season, and some fairly dire ones too, but I think whatever life throws at us we'll carry on going together and are in it for the long haul! I regret not going before I did as I missed a lot of good times which many Blades my age experienced, but I'll always be grateful to little Forgeblade (he ain't little now, he's a big beery bloke!) for putting his dad finally on the path of righteousness!
 
Numpty's Dusty Ruts. said:
Forgeblade's paternal grandparents (my mum and dad) came from S6, and weren't really bothered, although my mum came from a big Wendy family. Dad couldn't give a toss, he was a lovely man but thought football was stupid (and over the years he clearly had a point!). We lived in Coal Aston in the 60's and 70's and although I liked football and was a closet Blade (had the shirt, the school bag, followed the results, had mates who went), I didn't go and developed other interests - motorbikes, beer, women, beer, bikes, beer. I went to polytechnic (for you young'uns this was a centre of learning for oiks) in Coventry, where I went to a few games at Highfield Road, quite enjoyed it but thought being caged in and paying for the privilege wasn't for me at that time. Forgeblade isn't quite accurate about me being not bothered, as his bonkers uncle did ask me to go quite a few times, but I didn't because I was worried (rightly) that I'd be hooked, and I had other priorities at the time, two kids, a mortgage, and not enough cash (bonkers uncle had these too but his priorities were er.... different!). Anyway, little Forgeblade and dad Numpty went to a Tuesday night game in 96/97, Southend in the league or FA cup (can't remember which), and had a top time - I recall that we won 3-0 and the rest is history! We have had the most amazing times since, especially last season, and some fairly dire ones too, but I think whatever life throws at us we'll carry on going together and are in it for the long haul! I regret not going before I did as I missed a lot of good times which many Blades my age experienced, but I'll always be grateful to little Forgeblade (he ain't little now, he's a big beery bloke!) for putting his dad finally on the path of righteousness!
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League Game. Towards the end of the season where had spent most of it in a relegation battle only for Howard Kendall and his new signing to hit superb run of form towards the end of the season, and a top half finish.

Seem to remember it being a nice clear spring night, and from personal recollections I ended up in Berlin’s that night
 
I was always told by my Nanna that my Grandad who was a very good footballer (who played for a local sizable team and the county) went for trials with Grimsby Town and Sheffield United, he was accepted by both and chose Sheffield United. Circumstances changed and he was unable to take up the offer (his Father died and he was the eldest male child and had to stay and get a job to look after the family - we are talking pre WW2). He became a steelworker but continued to play football for local sides. So I always followed the blades from afar as my dad was not interested in Football. This continued until I was 20ish and met a new mate who went (Season Ticket Holder), so I got a season ticket and the rest is History.
My Grandad died when I was quite young and never really got the chance to talk to him about it, but when my Nanna died I was left his trophies and a picture. Its black and white but the shirt has stripes so I pretend its a blades shirt :-)
 
The Bohemian said:
I was born into a Blades family, lived at Base Green and my Lane 'christening' was during the Currie-Woodward era, when the football was frequently sublime and, as a football crazy kid, it was impossible not to be smitten.

I have vivid memories of Hodgkinson, Badger, Colquhoun, Currie and Woodward. All superb players who would have won dozens of international caps had they played for a fashionable team.

When, 5'9", Hodgy was in goal I never thought we would be beaten. Badger was magnificent and marauding, Colquhoun majestic, Woodward finessed and powerful and Currie, pure class. For those of you who missed it, sorry, it was so good.

When we smashed Arsenal 5-0 at The Lane in 1973, I recall queuing for ages on Shoreham Street before getting in 15 minutes after KO when we were already 3-0 up. Always felt gutted about that, despite the historic victory.

Those early memories proved special and lasting but the family thing was probably decisive.
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Similar for me mate.

I didn’t support any team really and my father had no interest. He said both Sheffield teams were rubbish and wouldn’t cross the road to watch either of them!

At secondary school you had to be one or the other. I saw my first match at the age of 12. Blades v Owls at BDTBL. I went as a neutral.

Blades were fantastic. I remember being really impressed with Woody and Currie, but also Sammons, who ran them ragged down that left flank.

Blades went 2-0 up. Then Wednesday, a dour workmanlike side, with dirty tactics, wrestled it back to 2-2. Then John Tudor came on and popped in the winner!

I was on my way to being a Blade but not fully ordained yet.

I watched both teams at home over the next few weeks but quickly came to the conclusion that the Blades were the team for me. They played lovely attacking football and had real talent. And they weren’t dirty bastards like them at S6!

I rejected the filth, had “Sheffield United Football Club” tattooed on my penis and I’ve been a Blade ever since!
 
Parents were living on Cherry Street when I was born in a house previously owned by Chris Wilder.

Also my Dad's a blade. Went to my first match as a toddler. Wasn't until I was 6-7 before I understood what was happening and got into it.
 



My first game I can remember as I always played away in Leeds saturdays ( I never signed for Leeds !! ) ( I should have known then) I was about 10 ..was my dad persuaded my mum to let me go to match as it was one of the biggest games in the clubs history ....
Sure you know the game 1981 ...couldn't see a thing ..but atmosphere had me for life ..both loud and quiet ..

Not sure if it's just me ..but I remember my Dad dragging me down steps of the kop at the end ...and I told him to stop and ask if a man was ok...as he was crying on the steps ....true story ...

I'm from Rotherham but told my friends the experience..and they ended up going when we went to Comprehensive..and we have all been Blades ever since ...
 
The Bohemian said:
I was born into a Blades family, lived at Base Green and my Lane 'christening' was during the Currie-Woodward era, when the football was frequently sublime and, as a football crazy kid, it was impossible not to be smitten.

I have vivid memories of Hodgkinson, Badger, Colquhoun, Currie and Woodward. All superb players who would have won dozens of international caps had they played for a fashionable team.

When, 5'9", Hodgy was in goal I never thought we would be beaten. Badger was magnificent and marauding, Colquhoun majestic, Woodward finessed and powerful and Currie, pure class. For those of you who missed it, sorry, it was so good.

When we smashed Arsenal 5-0 at The Lane in 1973, I recall queuing for ages on Shoreham Street before getting in 15 minutes after KO when we were already 3-0 up. Always felt gutted about that, despite the historic victory.

Those early memories proved special and lasting but the family thing was probably decisive.
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I call bullshit Bohemian! Basegreen is one word!!!!!!! :eek:
 
Numpty's Dusty Ruts. said:
Forgeblade's paternal grandparents (my mum and dad) came from S6, and weren't really bothered, although my mum came from a big Wendy family. Dad couldn't give a toss, he was a lovely man but thought football was stupid (and over the years he clearly had a point!). We lived in Coal Aston in the 60's and 70's and although I liked football and was a closet Blade (had the shirt, the school bag, followed the results, had mates who went), I didn't go and developed other interests - motorbikes, beer, women, beer, bikes, beer. I went to polytechnic (for you young'uns this was a centre of learning for oiks) in Coventry, where I went to a few games at Highfield Road, quite enjoyed it but thought being caged in and paying for the privilege wasn't for me at that time. Forgeblade isn't quite accurate about me being not bothered, as his bonkers uncle did ask me to go quite a few times, but I didn't because I was worried (rightly) that I'd be hooked, and I had other priorities at the time, two kids, a mortgage, and not enough cash (bonkers uncle had these too but his priorities were er.... different!). Anyway, little Forgeblade and dad Numpty went to a Tuesday night game in 96/97, Southend in the league or FA cup (can't remember which), and had a top time - I recall that we won 3-0 and the rest is history! We have had the most amazing times since, especially last season, and some fairly dire ones too, but I think whatever life throws at us we'll carry on going together and are in it for the long haul! I regret not going before I did as I missed a lot of good times which many Blades my age experienced, but I'll always be grateful to little Forgeblade (he ain't little now, he's a big beery bloke!) for putting his dad finally on the path of righteousness!
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Southend was (wikipedia tells me) 18th January 1997. The one I think you remember might be beating Port Vale 3-0 at the lane on 4th March 1997. Pretty sure we sat on the bottom tier of the lane end, and there was a streaker at some point during the match. I might be wrong, it's a long time ago, but I distinctly remember a game we saw from that stand involving someone taking their kit off and running on the pitch!

I think Southend might have been your first match, cos I'm pretty sure the game we sat on the bottom tier of the lane end wasn't the first match we went to together.
 
Just an aside we had 3 players from my era who went onto to be proffesional footballers from our School ..Kimberworth ....I ended up at Barnsley but smashed my knee early doors ...never worked out ...my protege John Reid you will all know ....nice lad ...and super little prospect ..his home debut against Manure was memorable..he played outstanding...just ended up unlucky ...and a little known fact ..my older brothers team were the best in the region ...main,y due to the goalie..safe hands ....( by the way he was a top centre forward as well ) ...and as a young un safe hands was on Rotherham books but used to wear Blades goalie jersey ....he denies it nowadays ...but it happened..Seaman loved the Blades ..till he went to dirty Leeds
 
I'm a new Blade myself, went to see the Blades in 2015 when I moved to Sheffield with my missus at the time. Pretty much fell in love with the team, stadium, fans, everything.

Ended up splitting with her but nothing is going to make me split with the Blades. Back living in Manchester now so don't get to as many games as I would like to anymore :(
 
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