SUFC Feature: Saunders reveals true story behind Bramall Lane’s most audacious goal

Former Sheffield United striker Dean Saunders has recalled the ingenious finish against Port Vale that he had secretly practised in training before springing it on goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite.

Thousands of goals have been scored at Bramall Lane over the years. Some spectacular and some, either from Sheffield United’s perspective or that of the opposition, downright ridiculous.

But few have been as inventive as Dean Saunders’ finish in a 2-1 win over Port Vale more than a quarter of a century ago, in March 1998. The former Welsh international had chased a pass down the left wing from big Tri Dellas.

Vale goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite had sensed the danger, racing out of his goal and sliding the ball out of play - and seemingly away from danger. As he turned and raced back towards his goal, he probably thought his job was done.

But Saunders quickly picked up the ball, assessed his options and then threw the ball against Musselwhite’s back, then stroking it home in front of the Kop. United went on to win 2-1 - from memory, there hasn’t been a goal quite like it ever since.

“I love that goal, and I’m glad people keep bringing it up! Apparently it can’t happen anymore as it’s ungentlemanly conduct, but I just think it was clever.

“Believe it or not, I’d half practised it! In training we did a lot of two-touch football, so when I needed an extra touch I’d knock it against an opponent so I could have two more.

“Sometimes if the ball went out of play in these games and I wanted to dribble up the line, I’d throw the ball into a defender's chest and then take the ball past them up the line. But I never imagined doing it in a game.

“I sold it to him by looking backwards as I picked up the ball, the keeper thought I was going to throw it to a teammate for them to have a free shot at clipping it into the net. But that was never my intention.

“I just wanted him to turn his back on me so I could throw it off him, and the finish was easy from there. It all worked out perfectly, but I bet if I’d ever tried it again it would have never worked. It’s a goal I remember fondly.”

Saunders was in the twilight of his illustrious playing career by the time he arrived at Bramall Lane but his two seasons in South Yorkshire were successful in terms of goals. United made a profit on the free transfer when Saunders moved to Benfica, and the now-62-year-old later moved into management - including spells locally at Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield.

“I really enjoyed my time at Sheffield United,” said Saunders, speaking to The Star via Betpack. “I wasn’t at the club for long, but I had three really great managers in Nigel Spackman, Steve Thompson and Steve Bruce. It was a great changing room to be a part of, and I had a decent goal-scoring record there.

“It’s a great football club, and I played with some very good players there. We even got to an FA Cup semi-final against Newcastle at Old Trafford, and we lost to Sunderland in the playoffs as well. They might not sound like great memories, but they are special when you look back at your career and the time I spent at such a historic club.

“Sometimes I look back at it and think that I could have stayed longer, and that could have worked out better, but I don’t regret anything in my career.

“I was just glad Sheffield United got some good money for me. I signed for free, and they sold me to Benfica for £500,000 when I was 34. So everybody won.”