P
pommpey
Guest
I was asked by the Yeovil Twon Programme Editor to give the 'From The Other Side' schpiel (I volunteered after he appealed on here).
Here is my stuff I wrote, just for interest. Some of it is a bit relevant:
First four questions, brief answers of one or two words.
Next seven questions, please answer in around 75-80 words.
Final question, just a list of names in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation.
Name: Vic Woods (aka pommpey blade)
Age: 50
Lives (as in where): Gosport, Hampshire
A fan since: Birth.First match circa 1969
How did you become a Sheffield United fan?
My dad, Frank took me along to watch at the Lane and the area I grew up in Sheffield (Gleadless Valley) had a small knot of Blades fans. Sheffield is as bi-partisan as Liverpool or Manchester between Red and Blue, believe me! My school was a front-line battleground between Blades and Owls. People don't quite understand the abrasion that exists between us and those lot up at Sheffield 6!
What have been your best memories as a United fan?
Standing behind the white railings in the Bramall Lane lower tier in my parka and watching United slog it out with the giants out there on a muddy pitch in the winters of the early 1970s. That, and as a youngster meeting the legends of that time themselves - Alan Woodward and Tony Currie, who will always be part of United's illustrious, somewhat inconsistent history.
What have been your worst memories?
The enduring misery of being the playoff and semi-final bridesmaids. That, and losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley. Words can't express how I feel if we don't come away from any Blades v Owls game without three points. Some Blades would take beating them over promotion or a cup win. I dunno.
Was it the right decision to sack Danny Wilson recently?
Since Neil Warnock went, United have been flattering to deceive regarding the crisis happening on and off the pitch. We have seen an alarming slide from cup challengers and Premier League battlers to third tier also-rans. Wilson is another victim of that. I don't think there is a Blade who doesn't recognise how bad things have got for our once-great football club. So I'm ambivalent. Wilson staying or going won't change much until other changes happen in and around the club.
Who should Yeovil be wary of in this afternoon’s match?
As said, we've been on a poor run of form recently, so no player stands out. But if allowed to play, Kevin McDonald can unlock many defences and create good opportunities. At the back we have a good central pairing in 20 year-old Harry Maguire and the more experienced Neill Collins. Our young goalkeeper George Long is a decent shot stopper and potential to go far in the game.
If you are lucky to reach the final, who would you rather face and why?
I'd rather face Yeovil to be honest, hoping that the big occasion and surroundings may get to them. As we have seen this season though, we have hoped for much and received nothing, so we'll just take our chances whoever we may face. We have to get past you guys first, which will be a task in itself! Small as they seem, Yeovil are a team to be reckoned with, as we have already found out this season.
If you could buy one other League One player on a free transfer, who would you buy and why?
Yeovil's Paddy Madden seems to be smashing them in for fun at the moment - and a consistent striker is one area we are sadly struggling with at the moment. I'd also quite happily take Matt Richie off Bournemouth and Clayton Donaldson from Brentford. Richie is a Gosport lad and known round here as an underrated player yet to fully hit his stride.
Finally, please name your all-time favourite Tranmere Rovers XI? Eh?
I am too young to remember the Shaws, the Wagstaffs and Jimmy Hagen, but my favourite Sheffield United XI is:
Here is my stuff I wrote, just for interest. Some of it is a bit relevant:
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE – SHEFFIELD UNITED PROGRAMME
Notes: First four questions, brief answers of one or two words.
Next seven questions, please answer in around 75-80 words.
Final question, just a list of names in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation.
Name: Vic Woods (aka pommpey blade)
Age: 50
Lives (as in where): Gosport, Hampshire
A fan since: Birth.First match circa 1969
How did you become a Sheffield United fan?
My dad, Frank took me along to watch at the Lane and the area I grew up in Sheffield (Gleadless Valley) had a small knot of Blades fans. Sheffield is as bi-partisan as Liverpool or Manchester between Red and Blue, believe me! My school was a front-line battleground between Blades and Owls. People don't quite understand the abrasion that exists between us and those lot up at Sheffield 6!
What have been your best memories as a United fan?
Standing behind the white railings in the Bramall Lane lower tier in my parka and watching United slog it out with the giants out there on a muddy pitch in the winters of the early 1970s. That, and as a youngster meeting the legends of that time themselves - Alan Woodward and Tony Currie, who will always be part of United's illustrious, somewhat inconsistent history.
What have been your worst memories?
The enduring misery of being the playoff and semi-final bridesmaids. That, and losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley. Words can't express how I feel if we don't come away from any Blades v Owls game without three points. Some Blades would take beating them over promotion or a cup win. I dunno.
Was it the right decision to sack Danny Wilson recently?
Since Neil Warnock went, United have been flattering to deceive regarding the crisis happening on and off the pitch. We have seen an alarming slide from cup challengers and Premier League battlers to third tier also-rans. Wilson is another victim of that. I don't think there is a Blade who doesn't recognise how bad things have got for our once-great football club. So I'm ambivalent. Wilson staying or going won't change much until other changes happen in and around the club.
Who should Yeovil be wary of in this afternoon’s match?
As said, we've been on a poor run of form recently, so no player stands out. But if allowed to play, Kevin McDonald can unlock many defences and create good opportunities. At the back we have a good central pairing in 20 year-old Harry Maguire and the more experienced Neill Collins. Our young goalkeeper George Long is a decent shot stopper and potential to go far in the game.
If you are lucky to reach the final, who would you rather face and why?
I'd rather face Yeovil to be honest, hoping that the big occasion and surroundings may get to them. As we have seen this season though, we have hoped for much and received nothing, so we'll just take our chances whoever we may face. We have to get past you guys first, which will be a task in itself! Small as they seem, Yeovil are a team to be reckoned with, as we have already found out this season.
If you could buy one other League One player on a free transfer, who would you buy and why?
Yeovil's Paddy Madden seems to be smashing them in for fun at the moment - and a consistent striker is one area we are sadly struggling with at the moment. I'd also quite happily take Matt Richie off Bournemouth and Clayton Donaldson from Brentford. Richie is a Gosport lad and known round here as an underrated player yet to fully hit his stride.
Finally, please name your all-time favourite Tranmere Rovers XI? Eh?
I am too young to remember the Shaws, the Wagstaffs and Jimmy Hagen, but my favourite Sheffield United XI is:
Alan Kelly
Kyle Walker Phil Jagielka Chris Morgan Kyle Naughton
Alan Woodward Michael Brown Tony Currie Michael Tonge
Brian Deane Keith Edwards
He'd C&P the 'Tranmere' bit. Not that he gives a flying one now they're in the final and we're not.
Up the Blades, like. See you all next season for more disappointment and heartbreak.
pommpey
