John Brayford lifts lid on Sheffield United exit - and reveals he cheers on Blades in Premier League

Brayford was an early casualty of Wilder's reign at Bramall Lane, after moving to Burton Albion in a bid to lower the Blades' wage-bill which was spiralling out of control after six years in League One.

Brayford was reunited with Nigel Clough, the man who brought him to Bramall Lane, at Burton on an initial loan deal, before making the switch permanent after the Blades won promotion to the Championship.

And, after watching the Blades first reach the Premier League and then finish ninth in their first season in the top-flight, Brayford opened up about his departure in an interview with SUFC Memories.

"I always got on so well with Chris and there was never any bad feeling whatsoever," the right-back said.

"People have always said that he got rid of me or wanted me out of the club because my head wasn’t in it – but it wasn’t like that. We had a great relationship.

"It was just the fact I was in the second year of my contract at that point and my wages had increased. He told me some money needed freeing up from the wage bill as he wanted two or three other players.

"I was told if I stayed I was going to play and be a part of that team but it would do both him and the club a favour if I went out on loan.

"The summer after I had pre-season training there and spoke with Chris throughout that summer. Obviously United had done so well the year before and got promoted, which caused me a big problem as my wages went up again! I had really killed my own opportunity at Sheff Utd by the initial contract that I signed, so I didn’t do myself any favours in that sense.

"But it’s never about any individual especially at Sheff Utd – and nothing has made me happier than seeing them fly up the leagues and do as well as they have.

"I know some players are bitter about old clubs doing well – its actually quite common - but every time they’re on the telly, I’m watching them and cheering them on and wanting them to win. Especially Chris as well – he’s worked so hard to get his football club where it deserves to be.

"It was only going to be a matter of time before Sheff Utd did what they did, the club is too big to be in League One."

Brayford was a member of the United side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, scoring in the quarter-final against Charlton. He impressed during his loan spell and his move was made permanent, but a bad knee injury scuppered his progress and Clough left United at the end of the next season after they lost in the play-off semi-finals.

Brayford played under Nigel Adkins, in the season that United underperformed and finished 11th in League One, before Wilder took over and dragged the club into the Premier League, courtesy of two promotions in three seasons.

Brayford's former teammates Chris Basham and Billy Sharp are still members of Wilder's Premier League squad, and Brayford added: "I always knew I was playing with good players at the club and there was always a good team there.

"When things are going well at Bramall Lane it is the best place in the world to play your football and when things aren’t some players go into their shell a bit – but [Basham and Sharp] never did that.

"When the lads are playing with better players, the likes of who they’re bringing in now, that brings out their qualities even more – but it's such a credit to those lads, how they’ve stuck with the club and rose to the challenge."

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