Matt Hill's memories of his eventful spell at Sheffield United ahead of clash with another former club Wolves

Signed on loan midway through the season that saw United lose in the League One play-off final on penalties, his first full campaign ended with more play-off heartbreak at Yeovil and his last season as a Blade saw his side go from bottom of the table to finish seven and reach an epic FA Cup semi-final against Hull City at Wembley.

All experience, over a near-600 game professional career, that he is now looking to take into management after taking over at Northern Premier League Stafford Rangers.

He oversaw two games before the coronavirus pandemic wrecked the season, and will be an interested observer on Saturday evening when the Blades face another of his former clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

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“Sheffield United are another big club with a great fanbase but for me and the play-offs, it was always the bridesmaid once again,” Hill said in an interview with the Express and Star.

“Again I felt like it was a team which really should have got promoted, but there were near-misses and we just couldn’t get over the line.

“In League One at the time it was another good platform for several players to come through, including Harry Maguire, and my old car-school buddy Conor Coady!

“Everyone knows he’s a great lad. He had a bit of learning to do at that stage, like we all do as young players, in that he was in and out of the team and coming up against bumps in the road.

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“But he came through it really well and has done brilliantly and it is so good to see what he has gone on to achieve at Wolves and to play for England.”

Hill, who is booked on his A-Licence course this year, also coaches Blackpool’s U15 and U16 side – including his youngest son, Tyler – while his eldest, James, is a centre-half with Fleetwood.

“It’s nice to be able to coach Tyler as I continue my own training and development, looking for that balance between coaching and fatherhood,” Hill added.

“He is trying to gun for his brother, and then the pair of them are gunning for their dad!”

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