Started following properly late 70's but really early 80's onwards was my time. Edwards, Morris, Hatton, Kenworthy etc etc. But things have changed. I agree totally with the sentiment AB but it has gone from players you saw on a Saturday just being ordinary blokes to them being superstars who you can't get anywhere near. Even at this level they are pulling wages that are utterly ridiculous. They aren't real and the club I used to regard as my own doesn't feel that way any longer. Its all soundbites, marketing and promotional bullshit, Equity shares, Hotels and foreign football clubs.
The Sheffield United I followed was about clown Chairmen who didn't have a clue what they were doing being chased around the globe by interpol, the Inland Revenue and just about anyone else you care to mention. My sister was heavily involved the day Stephen Hinchcliffes house was raided for his files by South Yorkshires finest. I know about dodgy dealing and all manner of shit and you know what, it made me laugh. It was laughable. The people who owned the club were a joke, the three sided ground was a joke. Being in the shadow of the Pigs, that spitting, fighting underdog that gave the big clubs a bloody nose from time to time. There was a spirit about the club that isn't there any longer.
The Dave Bassett era was a pinnacle for me as a Blade. We were a nothing club, we were a shower of crap. Built on nothing signings, with a manager who loved belting the Authorities in the face both in his style and his manner. We went from the third division to the second (following that gutting relegation). I remember being at West Brom the opening day of that season and thinking we were going to get muntered. We took them to pieces. But that was DB and the team he assembled. We got promoted. I remember being at Leicester and thinking at 0-1 we were going to bugger it all up. The flourescent kit, the never say die attitude and all that. Took us to the first division at the time. Then the season we go there. We were supposed to be cannon fodder. Good old Sheffield United, just there to make up the numbers. We went forever without winning. Then when we beat Forest 3-2 it was like we won the World Cup, Champions League and European Championships all at the same time.
We stayed up, we did the double over the pork the next season (3-1 at their place still ranks as my finest ever Blades moment) and you just never knew where we were going to go next. We finished 9th if memory serves me right one season. We ripped up the form book on numerous occasions. I saw Peter Shilton play at BDTBL, I saw Ian Rush when he was good, I threw Mars Bars at Gazza while he pulled us limb from limb, I danced in the North Stand of the Pigs unchallenged. I saw Spurs taken apart 6-0, I saw Brian Deane score the first ever Premiership goal, I saw Tony Agana bought and sold (at just the right time). I saw Glynn Hodges take Manchester fucking United apart almost single handedly (that mans left foot is magic). Sheffield United gave me that to keep. At the twilight of when the game was still a game.
It isn't just Sheffield United that are a resounding disappointment to me. Football is. Football isn't 4-4-2 or who plays up front any longer. Its who owns who, third party interests in players. Who can sue who for most money. Who has the biggest revolving debt, who is going bust next, who is buying who. Equity stakes, Shareholders and the like. We aren't even fans any longer, we are customers.
Give me the trough urinals, the truly appauling food and service. Give me the terraces where you could swear without getting ejected, or told off. It isn't Sheffield United that is dying and changing, its football.
I wouldn't say your post is anything other than a heartfelt opinion and thank fuck for that. Without that this place dies. Without the debate, the "your talking drivel" the claim and counter claim it just turns into a nodding match where we all just sit there like lab rats agreeing with each other.
I got the email from Linz & Foxy this afternoon and while I don't agree with the "jump in line or your out" tone I fully understand where they are coming from. They are probably sick and tired of watching something they have poured days, weeks, months and years of their time into descent into something it wasn't meant to be. Threads descend into who is more right than who. How about you just nod your head and thank someone for having the time and decency to post their opinion. You don't have to agree with it but why not just respect the fact that someone had the time and made the effort to make you think.
There you go, thats me blown out for now.
know what i mean ?
