Exactly a decade ago, Nigel Clough was appointed as the new manager of Sheffield United - and inherited a Blades squad facing a real struggle. United had picked up a little under the caretaker charge of club legend Chris Morgan, following the disastrous experiment of David Weir that lasted only 10 league games and brought only one win, and Clough’s arrival was the catalyst for a remarkable season that saw the Blades reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and finish only one place adrift of the play-offs, after effectively surrendering almost a quarter of the season.
“I am very proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to manage here,” Clough said at the time. I will try and build a team and squad capable of getting promotion. We are not miracle workers, it takes time to mould and recruit a team. To be realistic, let’s get out of the bottom four and then get a squad together that can challenge.”
United certainly did that, losing in the play-offs the following season before Clough was sacked - somewhat harshly, in the view of some. Things had to get worse before they got better, with the Nigel Adkins experience followed by Chris Wilder’s era. But what happened to the first United side that Clough picked after being appointed on October 23, 2013? Some have made it to the very top of the game, while another was reduced to delivering pizzas to make ends meet after falling out of the game...
5. Matt Hill
A popular left-back, Hill made almost 100 appearances for United after joining initially on loan and later had spells at Tranmere and Bradford Park Avenue. Now in charge of Stafford Rangers in the Northern Premier League Premier Division | Getty Images
6. Ryan Flynn
The former Liverpool trainee joined United from Falkirk in his native Scotland and was a key member of the side that reached the FA Cup semi-final in 2014. After leaving United he went to Oldham before returning north of the border and joining St. Mirren Photo: GLYN KIRK
7. Michael Doyle
The Irishman played over 200 games for the Blades in the middle of midfield, captaining them to the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Bramall Lane. Now 42, he has worked as an assistant head coach at Forest Green Rovers and earlier this year was appointed as a professional developmental phase coach at Portsmouth FC’s youth academy, returning to one of his former clubs Photo: Laurence Griffiths
8. Stephen McGinn
The older brother of Aston Villa and Scotland star John McGinn, Stephen signed for United after leaving Watford before spells with Dundee, Wycombe and Hibernian amongst others. Now 34, he is still playing at Falkirk but a knee injury has ruled him out since the early stages of the current season | Getty Images