My First Game: Sheffield United locked horns with the mighty Liverpool - and I was hooked for life

Today, Joshua Chapman remembers United’s opening-day game against Liverpool back in 2006.

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My first game was a big one. It was Sheffield United’s first game back in the Premier League since the mid-90s and there was a real excitement around the place.

United had been comfortably promoted, in the end, the previous season. They finished 2nd behind Reading who had absolutely stormed the league with 106 points.

Liverpool were the visitors for the Blades’ first game back in the big time, and we were actually made to wait for it as kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to crowd issues. I actually remember the game being featured on BBC’s Sky Cops when that series was focusing on South Yorkshire Police’s helicopter. There’s a random bit of history for you…

It was a proper Warnock team. Full of players who would die for the shirt (Morgan, Jagielka, Tonge et al), and full of players who certainly made their presence known to their Merseyside counterparts (Ifill on Riise was a particular stand out…).

The absolute carnage when Rob Hulse put us 1-0 up was indescribable. I was only seven at the time but it just felt incredible for little Sheffield United to be beating Liverpool.

But then it all came crashing down when the referee forgot how to referee and gave Liverpool one of the biggest non-penalties I, and the rest of the ground, have ever seen after Steven Gerrard threw himself to the deck. Robbie Fowler then did the honours.

However, that game set my love for the game off. What a feeling. In my time watching United, there have been many lows. Six years in League One really was a struggle, but wow, what a time to be a Blade now. Never did I expect to see us anywhere near where we are at the minute. What a journey we’ve been on over the last three-and-a-half years, and what a journey we’re still on.

I love this club.