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So when we asked Sheffield Star readers on Facebook to name the player who first made them fall in love with United - and who they believe is the club’s greatest Blade of all time - the response was nothing short of overwhelming.
Hundreds of you piled into the comments, sharing memories, debates and heartfelt tributes. What followed was a roll call of true Bramall Lane icons. From the elegant entertainers of the ’60s and ’70s to the fearless promotion heroes of more recent seasons, the same names kept rising to the top again and again.
For some of you, these were the first players you watched from The Kop or on flickering living-room televisions. For others, they were legends passed down through generations - the heroes your parents or grandparents swore were the finest to ever wear red and white.
But every nomination carried the same message: Sheffield United’s history isn’t just rich - it’s forged in loyalty, character and unforgettable moments.
Here are the legends you chose.
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1. Tony Currie
Tony Currie joined Sheffield United in February 1968 and went on to make 313 appearances for the Blades, scoring 54 goals. A creative attacking midfielder/inside-forward famed for mesmerising dribbles, incisive passing and deadly set-piece delivery, Currie was a genuine Bramall Lane cult hero. He also won 17 England caps, and in a 2014 fan poll was voted Sheffield United’s Greatest Ever Player. | Getty Images
2. Billy Sharp
Striker Billy Sharp is a modern-day Blades legend, turning three separate spells at Bramall Lane (2004–05, 2007–10 and 2015–2023) into a love affair with the supporters. Across those years he made 377 appearances and scored 129 goals, many of them decisive. Sharp’s impact went beyond raw numbers. He captained the side, led by example during the club’s rise back up the leagues and became the face of the team for a generation of fans. | Getty Images
3. Alan Woodward
A true Bramall Lane legend, Alan 'Woody' Woodward starred for Sheffield United from 1962 to 1978, racking up 538 league appearances and 158 league goals. Renowned for a thunderous shot, dead-ball prowess and pace down the right, he terrorised defences - famously netting four in a 7–0 rout of Ipswich in 1971 - before finishing his playing days in the USA and leaving a lasting legacy at the club. | Getty Images
4. Brian Deane
Brian Deane is the player who quite literally wrote himself into Premier League history. A powerful, old-fashioned centre-forward with a brutal aerial game and a knack for the crucial finish, Deane first joined Sheffield United in 1988 and returned for two more spells, racking up just over 200 appearances and 121 goals for the Blades. His headed strike against Manchester United in 1992 - the Premier League’s very first goal - remains the stuff of legend. | Getty Images