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...
9. Simon Lappin
The Scottish defender had a short loan spell with United that season from Cardiff City and later played for York City, King’s Lynn Town and Wroxham before hanging up his boots. Was last seen in a coaching role with Norwich City’s community sports foundation and describes himself as an “aspiring pilot”, holding a private licence to fly | Getty Images
10. Lyle Taylor
A Montserrat international after making his debut for them in 2015, Taylor is still in the game at 33 but is currently without a club. He had a recent ‘trial’ spell training with Wednesday back in the Steel City but it came to nothing | Getty
11. Marlon King
A man whose Wikipedia page contains an ‘incidents and legal cases’ section amounting to more than 500 words, and has served three separate 18-month spells in prison for, amongst other offences, sexual assault is not remembered fondly at Bramall Lane. After his latest conviction, for dangerous driving, he moved to Zambia and runs a machinery hire business. Property investments, both in the UK and Zambia, include a shopping mall and fisheries | Getty Images
12. Subs: Mark Howard
Now 37, the goalkeeper is still in the game with Wrexham and initially got a chance to impress in League Two this season following Ben Foster’s sudden retirement, before Arsenal man Arthur Okonkwo arrived and took his place | Getty Images