Kevin Blackwell, who formally accepted the position on a permanent basis 24 hours before the final game of the season at Southampton, has already constructed a team in his own image.

Now he wants it to reflect the qualities of the region it represents too.

Blackwell was born in Bedfordshire but has blossomed in Yorkshire and his understanding of what makes this proud county tick will help plot the way forward for one of its most famous sporting institutions.

"Certain clubs have a certain way about them," he said.

"When you think of Arsenal you think of style and panache.

"Spurs like to play a certain way.

"Sheffield United is like that.

"The fans come here having worked hard all week and they want to see their team do that as well.

"The supporters respond to people they can see are giving it everything.

"They want to be entertained and we want to play attractive stuff.

"But first and foremost they want to see us putting everything into what we are doing.

"That's the Yorkshire mentality.

"I'm not a Yorkshireman but I've spent a lot of time here.

"So I do think like one."

Blackwell has condensed his ideas into 'The Blades Way'; a mission statement he will insist is embraced by everyone from directors and players right down to car park attendants and catering staff at United's Shirecliffe training complex.

To underline the fact, words including "Responsibility", "Discipline", "Determination" and "Pride" hung over his head in bright red letters during his official coronation last weekend.

Blackwell, who served as United's assistant manager before pursuing a career at Leeds and his hometown club Luton, has enjoyed remarkable success since completing an emotional return following Bryan Robson's departure in February and, having initially signed a short-term deal, his committment to Bramall Lane is reflected by the fact that, at the time of writing, his new three-year contract remained unsigned.

"It's never been about money for me, it's always been about people," he continued.

"Too many people, especially in football, are driven by money.

"To my mind if you think you're going to fail then, yes, get that sorted straight away.

"But I've always thought that if you get your job right then the rewards follow."

With an ambitous board behind him, Blackwell is convinced he will.

"I didn't want to come back and fail.

"I always got a great reception when I came back here and I didn't want to put that at risk unless it was right.

"But this is a special place for me.

"I'm working for people I trust and the crowd were a massive part in me coming back as well.

"This is a different club, it's a special club."

Confirming Blackwell's appointment, United's plc chairman Kevin McCabe spoke about how he is a different man to the one who worked as Neil Warnock's assistant.

Blackwell tasted both joy and heartbreak during those turbulent spells at Elland and Kenilworth Road but his experiences there, combined with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, have left him equipped to write his own chapter in United's history.

"I left as a number two and came back as a number one but I knew I had to go to further my career," he said.

"I can't help to have learned something from the problems I had at my previous clubs.

"Despite those though Leeds got to a play-off final and Luton excelled themselves in the FA Cup.

"At Luton we managed to keep people motivated even though they hadn't been paid.

"I knew I wasn't the greatest player in the world and so I always worked hard and diligently to try and pick up as much as I could."

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