Sheffield United honour NHS heroes with giant poster alongside Billy Sharp

The posters have gone up with huge prominance, above the club’s superstore on the South Stand and now the two fans feature alongside skipper Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick.

United invited Yvonne Lait, from Handsworth and Matt Cotton, from Southey to have their pictures taken and have the images adorn the ground, to reiterate their backing for NHS workers and frontline staff during the Covid-19 pendemic.

"Having worked for over 22 years and spending the last seven in A&E, I can say this pandemic has majorly changed the dynamic of the emergency department, with the whole team having to adjust to these intense conditions and ever changing demands this virus is causing,” said Yvonne, who along with Matt works at A&E department at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

"We've tried to stay positive though and keep morale high amongst ourselves, despite all having personal worries. As a team we've continued to provide excellent care for those who have needed it most.

"I first started going to the Lane as a child with my dad, back when I fitted under the turnstiles! I still get to matches work permitting, but I'd love to go more. Unfortunately though, as a nurse I don't get every Saturday off!"

Matt has been living in Sheffield for 27 years and was immensely proud to be asked to be on the posters for his club.

"Working on the front line through this pandemic is strange and really challenging, but it is our job and it's what we do best,” he said.

"To be asked by the Club I love and support to be part of something special like this is the icing on the cake for me.”

Sheffiel United’s operations director Dave McCarthy said: "Having Yvonne and Matt's images emblazoned on the South Stand cladding signifies the work and bravery, on a daily basis, of those within the NHS throughout this period in our history."