Chris Wilder reveals why Sheffield United won't replicate the struggles of Portsmouth under his careful watch

Chris Wilder has revealed why he refuses to put Sheffield United in financial jeopardy by overstretching for future signings.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Blades boss pointed to just three examples, of Portsmouth and his former clubs Halifax and Northampton Town, of clubs who have gone bust, through a combination of reasons.

The United boss broke his club's transfer record for the second time in around six months recently, when £22m Sander Berge joined £20m man Oli McBurnie at Bramall Lane.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he will not be reckless and gamble with the club's future.

"It's always done sensibly so as not to put us in a difficult position," he said.

"I've been part of that before, not in terms of signing players but being involved in a club which went through it, and it shatters clubs. It's a long road back and there's no way we'd ever want to do that to this football club."

Wilder was in charge of Halifax when they went out of business, while he guided Northampton to the League Two title despite players and staff going for long periods without being paid.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Halifax had historical debt when they were in the Football League and an overspend in the old Fourth Division, signing players for big money," he added.

Sander Berge of Sheffield United joined the club in a record breaking deal from Genk: Simon Bellis/SportimageSander Berge of Sheffield United joined the club in a record breaking deal from Genk: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sander Berge of Sheffield United joined the club in a record breaking deal from Genk: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

"It was ridiculous. Travelling on a Chelsea coach and overnight stops. It was ridiculous what went off.

“Northampton was a different situation, a land deal that went wrong from the former chairman.

“I've had experience of it and the players don't really suffer but the people who own the football club suffer, and so do the supporters. It's important the supporters don't get carried away because I do see it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I'm not being critical but when Portsmouth won the FA Cup and they were in Europe with 10, 11 players on over 100 grand a week but they're only getting 18,000 in the ground and there's no hospitality to speak of and no other revenue streams, everybody knew it was going to go one way.

"It did and they found themselves in League Two. Portsmouth should never, ever be in League Two with the fanbase and history they've got."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.