Billy Sharp opens up on “disrespectful” Sheffield United exit heartache and makes candid promotion parade admission
Billy Sharp had three spells at Sheffield United during his career, leaving the club for the final time in 2023.
Billy Sharp, the Sheffield United icon, has admitted he still has not had closure on his Bramall Lane exit, revealing the hurt of being told he would not be offered a new contract on the day of the club’s promotion parade. Sharp left the Blades for the final time after helping them to promotion in 2023.
The sight of him in tears on the Town Hall balcony was a bittersweet one after the high of promotion, with Sharp’s frustration compounded by the fact he had been told on more than one occasion that he would be offered a new deal.
Sharp, who officially retired from playing over the weekend, said he was left feeling disrespected by the timing of the news and struggled to enjoy the celebrations after helping United secure promotion to the Premier League.
“The owner at the time [Prince Abdullah] told me it was the manager’s choice, the manager told me it was the prince’s choice. And only them two know the truth,” Sharp said.
“The manager at the time, Paul Heckingbottom, told me on three separate occasions I was getting another year. I was captain of the club. He said I wouldn’t play as much the next season, which I don’t know about.
“I would have done because I’d have made sure I would have. But I’d have still been an asset to the club on and off the pitch, in the changing room etc.
“Meeting day for some bizarre reason was on the day of the parade, which is supposed to be a day of celebration and promotion and happiness. And I got told I wouldn’t get the contract.
“Naturally I was fuming, distraught, frustrated. I thought it was disrespectful and I couldn’t enjoy the parade as much as I really, really wanted to.”
The feeling inside the Town Hall was a little tense as well with everyone aware of the decision to let Sharp go at the expiry of his contract. The next step was a spell at LA Galaxy before a return to English football with Doncaster Rovers, where he ended his career with a final-day hat-trick last season.
“As people could see on the balcony, it was tough,” he added, speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield. “There’s no way I’d have been in tears on the balcony if I knew I was at the club the next season.
“I’d have probably been drunk and laughing my head off, but that was a tough, tough time and one of the toughest times in my career where I was wanting to retire.
“It was a bit of a knee-jerk because I thought, I don’t want to play for anyone else, I don’t want to wear any other kit, any other badge.”
Rotherham United offered an “unbelievable deal”, but the timing was wrong as he continued to come to terms with the end of his United career. LA Galaxy offered him the exit from English football he felt he needed, even if he couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that he should have been at Bramall Lane.
“Me and my kids woke up at stupid o’clock to watch United games like Newcastle, when they got battered,” he said. “And I know for a fact if I was at Sheffield United and even if I wasn’t in the squad, they wouldn’t have lost 8-0. It just wouldn’t have happened if I was there.”
Sharp was keen to stress that his reflections were not driven by bitterness. “Because I loved my time at LA Galaxy,” he said. “If I hadn’t left Sheffield United, then I wouldn’t have had that time in LA. So everything happens for a reason and I had unbelievable memories in America as well, which is also part of my journey.”