Blades and Owls merger: What our readers would call Sheffield's new football team if United bought Wednesdays
Red and blue, Blades and Owls, United and Wednesdays... if you merge Sheffield’s two teams, what would you call it?
A sensational rumour swept through the Steel City this week after a Telegraph story claimed Bramall Lane could be eyeing up their Hillsborough rivals as they exit administration.
It even prompted a statement from Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, the faces of the COH Sports group which owns the Blades - where they reaffirmed their commitment to United but crucially did not specifically deny the rumours.
The chances of it may be low and Bramall Lane would have to run a charm offensive campaign like never before to win opposition fans over - but it’s still a fun question to mull over.
The Star asked its readers what they would think of a Blades and Owls merger - but, importantly, what should they call it?
“Rather pick my eyes out with a toothpick,” wrote Lindsy Salisbury Roper in reply.
She wasn’t the only critic.
“What planet are you circling at the moment?” wrote David Milnes.
“My literal answer would probably be deleted,” added Richard Goddard.
So, straight away, the top bosses at Bramall Lane and Hillsborough should probably know there are some fans they would never win over in a million years.
As for branding, what do you get when you cross an owl and a blade?
“Bowels,” wrote Darryl Brown.
Andrew Reavill wrote: “Great idea! Blunts and Wendies together. Call ‘em the Blendies.”
Bill Talbo shared his biases and said: “It's a joining of two clubs, so call them Sheffield... United.”
Luca Wells also wanted to save money on taking any signs down from Bramall Lane: “If we take Sheffield from their name & United from ours, and play at the ground nearest to the city centre, then I don't see a problem!”
An interesting turn in the discussion was to go nowhere near a merger - but consider building a mega stadium that both clubs could share.
Dave Kay wrote in support: “Leave the teams as is... But merge the grounds. Build a new state of the art stadium with around 40,000 capacity.
“Light it blue when Wednesdays at home, red when Blunts at home. Ground share like the San-Siro.
“Even add an exhibition space/venue for the Snooker if they leave The Crucible - it keeps it in Sheffield.
“Make the stadium a show of the Steel industry’s best craftsmanship, a true symbol of the city.”
Jack Burgin thought the same: “If they ended both teams and bought Sheffield FC instead, they would probably be in the champions league within six or seven seasons.
“Sheffield would have one of the biggest stadiums in the country, and it would bring millions into the city.
“But it will never happen due to sentiment. My own included.”