Around 400 Sheffield United supporters packed a Bochum city-centre bar this evening to meet Chris Wilder and his players, including star man Gus Hamer. Our man Danny Hall was there to witness it

An emotional Chris Wilder promised Sheffield United supporters that he and his players will do everything in their power to return the club to the Premier League after being serenaded at a meet-and-greet event this evening. The Blades have completed their preparations for tomorrow’s final friendly of pre-season against Bochum.

With around 2,000 Unitedites following them to Germany, the club put on a special event at the Three Sixty Bar in the centre of Bochum. The bar was taken over by Blades for most of the day, with flags draped over the barriers and United songs playing over the PA system.

But the main event was an appearance from Wilder, his staff and the entire playing squad who have made the trip, including popular star man Gus Hamer. He is being heavily linked with a return to Coventry City and was mobbed by supporters wanting selfies, who then reported he’d told them that he’s going nowhere.

That’s to be expected of course - he was never going to tell them that he’s on his bike - but it was another timely reminder of the love for him amongst Unitedites. Whether it proves enough to keep him is another thing; the ball is in Coventry’s court on that one, in terms of whether they meet United’s asking price.

The best reception of the evening though was reserved for manager Wilder, who looked emotional as the bar reverberated to ear-splitting renditions of his terrace songs. He described the reception as humbling and hoped that the players - especially the new ones - left the place having been reminded that they are part of a special football club.

The superb event was more evidence of United being a together club, despite the frustrations of last season’s 13th placed finish. Wilder and his staff have conducted an extensive review of what went wrong but also what his side did well, and what needs ‘nudging’ to get United going in the right direction.

”We want to represent them as we should do,” said Wilder of Unitedites. “Give them a team to be proud of.

“We’re working hard and will keep working hard to give us the best opportunity of getting back to where we want to be, which is the Premier League.”

Hamer, as things stand, is set to be involved against Bochum tomorrow and will fly back to England after that game with his future still in the air. He is understood to be open to a return to Coventry but United’s stance is unchanged, in that any sale will be on their terms and the Sky Blues will have to stump up the cash if they want to get their man ahead of their Premier League return.