A name that speaks for itself. Three spells, three promotions and a shedload of goals and memories for a boyhood Blade who lived the dream. It was a shame it ever had to end but who knows what the future will bring when he hangs up the scoring boots and moves into coaching?placeholder image
A name that speaks for itself. Three spells, three promotions and a shedload of goals and memories for a boyhood Blade who lived the dream. It was a shame it ever had to end but who knows what the future will bring when he hangs up the scoring boots and moves into coaching?

Sheffield United’s best players of past 25 years - including big-money stars and bargain frees

Danny Hall
By Danny Hall

Football writer

Published 13th Oct 2023, 16:21 GMT

It’s a topic bound to create intense debate amongst Sheffield United supporters - the best players to have worn their club’s shirt in the last 25 years.

It’s been a period of only three promotions to the Premier League but containing plenty of near-misses, drama and a huge turnover of players - some who made their mark and others who, well, simply disappeared without trace. There have been impressive loanees, big-money signings and also bargain frees who have played their part in shaping this club’s recent history.

But who would make a list of the 25 best players to have played for the Blades in the last quarter-of-a-century? It’s an impossible task - but we made our man do it anyway, compiling his thoughts for you to agree with or ridicule. Presented in no particular order, here are our best Blades from the last 25 years...

Going back to the 90s and early 2000s for this one but a deserved place for the Brummie winger, who chipped in with some important goals and was always a threat down the right flank

13. Paul Devlin

Going back to the 90s and early 2000s for this one but a deserved place for the Brummie winger, who chipped in with some important goals and was always a threat down the right flank | Getty Images

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Oh Lord. Deserves inclusion for that season alone – 22 goals from midfield and his own goal of the season competition as United went so close to the Premier League but fell so short in the play-off final against Wolves

14. Michael Brown

Oh Lord. Deserves inclusion for that season alone – 22 goals from midfield and his own goal of the season competition as United went so close to the Premier League but fell so short in the play-off final against Wolves | Getty Images

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Another homegrown hero who came through the ranks and was good enough to be linked with Liverpool, around the time he downed them with a memorable double to put United in control of a League Cup semi-final. If he had a touch more pace he’d have been unstoppable but also would have not featured much for United before being sold

15. Michael Tonge

Another homegrown hero who came through the ranks and was good enough to be linked with Liverpool, around the time he downed them with a memorable double to put United in control of a League Cup semi-final. If he had a touch more pace he’d have been unstoppable but also would have not featured much for United before being sold Photo: Steve Parkin

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The first spell, rather than the second. A huge-money signing for United at the time in a £4m deal from Everton but dropped into the Championship and delivered the goods, with a return of around a goal every other game more than decent by any striker’s standards unless you’re Erling Haaland. He could have led United’s attack in the Premier League too but the club decided to sell him midway through a potential promotion season and replace him with namesake Craig Beattie, who scored once all season

16. James Beattie

The first spell, rather than the second. A huge-money signing for United at the time in a £4m deal from Everton but dropped into the Championship and delivered the goods, with a return of around a goal every other game more than decent by any striker’s standards unless you’re Erling Haaland. He could have led United’s attack in the Premier League too but the club decided to sell him midway through a potential promotion season and replace him with namesake Craig Beattie, who scored once all season Photo: David Rogers

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