Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp explains retirement U-turn ahead of FA Cup clash against Burton Albion
Billy Sharp is set to play for Rushden & Diamonds against Burton Albion in the FA Cup at the weekend
Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp has explained his reasons for signing a temporary contract with AFC Rushden & Diamonds ahead of the FA Cup clash with Burton Albion this weekend.
The joint highest all-time Championship goal scorer announced his retirement from professional football only last month before Rushden reported that Sharp had agreed to ‘put the shirt on for the final time’.
Eighth-tier Rushden beat sixth-tier Morecambe 2-1 in the fourth qualifying round to book their spot in round one of the 2026/27 FA Cup and will travel to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon with hopes of causing an upset.
A 19-year-old Sharp was loaned out to Rushden, who were in League Two at the time, in January 2005 during his first stint at Sheffield United and scored nine goals in 16 appearances for the Diamonds.
Speaking on the Sky Sports EFL Show, Sharp explained how the opportunity came about.
He said: “Elliot [Sandy], the manager, texted me about 20 minutes after he was on someone's shoulders celebrating the victory [against Morecambe], and he gave me the eyes emoji, and I knew that he was real and he was serious.”
James Clifton, the team’s regular striker, is suspended for the match against the Brewers for accumulating too many yellow cards during the qualifying rounds.
“He asked me, 'Do I want to play?’ and I was like, you know what, it's the FA Cup. I grew up as a boy always wanting to play in the FA Cup. So, Rushden and Diamonds means a lot to me because they were the team who gave me the first opportunity in proper football. I scored my first ever career goal.”
“I'm coming out of retirement but not for long. Well, hopefully we can win, we can cause a shock, and who knows, but I love being part of a team.”
“All the Rushden boys who've gotten there deserve all the plaudits and the credit coming their way, and hopefully I can be a part of a shock in the FA Cup.”
“It's a magic game in a magic competition which I'm very excited to be involved in,” he added.
The 40-year-old hasn’t ruled out making an appearance in the second round if the Diamonds clinch a victory on Saturday.