A sensible opening suggestion from Darren Smith, although the now 37-year-old did have a spell at Bramall Lane after coming through the ranks and made one sub appearance. Chris Wilder did try to sign him again a few years back but it didn’t come off. “Always seemed a solid backs to the wall defender at the Lane,” said Darren. “I think we'd have liked him.”placeholder image
A sensible opening suggestion from Darren Smith, although the now 37-year-old did have a spell at Bramall Lane after coming through the ranks and made one sub appearance. Chris Wilder did try to sign him again a few years back but it didn’t come off. “Always seemed a solid backs to the wall defender at the Lane,” said Darren. “I think we'd have liked him.” | Getty Images

The most Sheffield United players who never played for the Blades; inc Sheffield Wednesday man and ex-Leeds: gallery

Danny Hall
By Danny Hall

Football writer

Published 21st Nov 2024, 18:00 GMT
Updated 21st Nov 2024, 18:01 GMT

We asked Unitedites to come up with the most ‘Sheffield United’ players to have never actually played for the Blades, and the responses were fascinating

Over the decades at Bramall Lane a host of Sheffield United players have made themselves cult heroes and fan favourites by showing many of the characteristics that define the football club. But at the same time there have been some plying their trades elsewhere who just have that United ‘feel’ about them.

So, for a bit of international break fun, we put the appeal out to Blades fans to choose the most ‘Sheffield United’ players to have never pulled on the famous red and white stripes - and some of the illuminating responses highlighted exactly what Unitedites want to see from their players. From World Cup winners to former Leeds men and even a current Wednesday man, here are some of the suggestions...

Another would-be United player who the Blades tried to sign, with Slavisa Jokanović taking a look at his former Fulham skipper after being unveiled at Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder is an admirer too but Cairney remains a Premier League player, with Martyn Doncaster making the suggestion

5. Tom Cairney

Another would-be United player who the Blades tried to sign, with Slavisa Jokanović taking a look at his former Fulham skipper after being unveiled at Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder is an admirer too but Cairney remains a Premier League player, with Martyn Doncaster making the suggestion | Getty Images

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Adebola had 16 clubs in his career but much to parkrunblade’s disbelief, none of them were United. He’s best known for spells at Birmingham City and Coventry City and played for some big clubs before hanging up his goalscoring boots

6. Dele Adebola

Adebola had 16 clubs in his career but much to parkrunblade’s disbelief, none of them were United. He’s best known for spells at Birmingham City and Coventry City and played for some big clubs before hanging up his goalscoring boots | Getty Images

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Imagine those two up front? That would be a quiet night in at the library - not! [Apologies to non-Office fans whose heads that will have sailed over]. Fan @crayonvaggio suggested Deeney on social media

7. Troy Deeney

Imagine those two up front? That would be a quiet night in at the library - not! [Apologies to non-Office fans whose heads that will have sailed over]. Fan @crayonvaggio suggested Deeney on social media | Getty Images

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Big Dunc certainly knew how to handle himself, on and off the pitch, and Jon Tideswell believes his characteristics would have lent themselves to success at the Lane

8. Duncan Ferguson

Big Dunc certainly knew how to handle himself, on and off the pitch, and Jon Tideswell believes his characteristics would have lent themselves to success at the Lane | POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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