Sheffield United fan, 91, left stunned as little-known club policy even draws Sheffield Wednesday praise
A lifelong Sheffield United supporter who first watched football at Bramall Lane during World War Two was given an unexpected reward this week, thanks to a little-known club policy.
His first experience of Bramall Lane came at army matches during World War Two and in the decades since, Terry Dalby thought he had seen it all at Sheffield United. But this week brought another memorable moment - and his beloved Blades weren’t even playing.
Terry, who turned 91 in January, renewed his season ticket for the 2026/27 season and found out it would be free of charge, under a little-known United policy to look after fans once they turn 90. News of the classy gesture quickly spread after being shared on social media by Terry’s son, John.
“I was a bit surprised,” Terry admitted to The Star this afternoon. “I just hope I'm still fit enough to go! But I'm keeping going. I've been on a walk this morning, up to Rivelin. I have to keep going.
“I missed a few seasons because I was in the army for a bit, and I worked overseas for a few years. I’ve been on the Kop when the hole was still in the roof, from the bombing, before they finished repairing it.
Sheffield United fan, 91, left stunned as little-known club policy even draws Sheffield Wednesday praise
“I watched a couple of army matches during the war and I started going properly just at the end of the war. I saw cricket at Bramall Lane as well. I used to say, when United were having a bad time, that they should have got rid of the football and kept the cricket!”
United’s over-90 policy has been in place since 2013 but has become more widely-known since his son’s social media post, with Blades fans and even supporters of arch-rivals Wednesday praising the club’s classy gesture.
Owls fan Cole posted on X: “Love the fact his dad’s is free ... got to give United their credit there. That’s excellent for the veteran fans. I highly, HIGHLY doubt it but do we do this?” Fellow Wednesdayite Andrew said: “Great that pal. It used to be free at SWFC at 80 and my dad had one for eight years. But they canned it.”
A United spokesperson told The Star: “This is a scheme which has been in operation for a number of years to reward the loyalty of our oldest supporters. Last season, over 40 90+ year olds took advantage, and we’re delighted to keep the scheme open.”
Terry is fortunate to have seen some of United’s greatest-ever players, name-checking the great Jimmy Hagan as one of his favourites in a red and white shirt. He also rated Alan Hodgkinson, having had a close glimpse at another legendary goalkeeper before hardly anyone knew who he was.
“I went to school with a couple of good footballers,” he remembered. “David Lane, who played for Wednesday. And Gordon Banks. He was one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime, but I don’t remember him playing in goal at school!
“I actually started going to football at Rotherham United. We moved from Darnall to Tinsley when I was four and my dad wasn’t really into football, but he took me to Rotherham because it was easier!
“I’ve also seen some good matches at Hillsborough. In those days it was a lot more difficult to go to away games, so a lot of people went to Bramall Lane one week and Hillsborough the next. But I’ve always been a Blade.”
Home on a matchday now is on the south stand, on the end seat of a short row so he doesn’t have to get up and down too often during the game. He used to have a higher vantage point before moving closer to pitch level, with fewer stairs to get to his seat.
“I'm hoping I’ve got a few more years left,” he admitted. “I've always said, I'm not going anywhere until we beat Real Madrid in the European Cup. In Barcelona. Because then all the Barcelona supporters would love us!”