Sheffield United Icon Billy Sharp Reveals His Sole Regret with the Blades

Billy Sharp, a fortunate individual, lived out the childhood fantasy shared by countless young footballers — becoming a legendary figure for his hometown club. A fervent supporter of Sheffield United since his youth, Sharp's journey with the Blades culminated in over 375 first-team appearances, many of which were adorned with the captain's armband. Across three distinct periods, he etched his mark by scoring 123 goals, solidifying his iconic status at Bramall Lane.

Reflecting on his achievements, Sharp shares, "As a kid, all I ever wanted was to score one goal for Sheffield United in front of the Kop, so to be able to do that more than 100 times was amazing." His passion for the club manifested not only in goal-scoring exploits but also in leadership, as he played a pivotal role in Sheffield United's promotion to the Premier League. "To have been captain and help the club I love get promoted to the Premier League was even better. Those memories will live with me forever."

A product of United's youth academy, Sharp briefly tasted Championship football before seeking first-team opportunities at Rushden & Diamonds and Scunthorpe United. Despite being bought back by the Blades in 2007, he experienced another stint away from the club before making a triumphant return in 2015. This marked the beginning of his significant contribution to Sheffield United's ascent from League One to the Premier League for the 2019-20 season. Recalling the accomplishment, Sharp says, "We finished ninth in that first year [2019-20], which was incredible."

However, the joy of top-flight football was short-lived as Sheffield United faced relegation the following year. Undeterred, Sharp remained with the club, playing a crucial role in their return to the Premier League in the subsequent season. The anticipation of a glorious farewell season for the 38-year-old turned somber when his contract expired unexpectedly.

"My one regret is that I didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to the supporters – I didn’t know that last season would be my final one there," laments Sharp. The unexpected departure from Sheffield United proved challenging for him, as he initially believed he would be part of the team for the current season. "Leaving Sheffield United was tough, as I thought I was going to be there for this season as well. I was initially told I would be, so it was hard to get over that."

In search of new horizons, Sharp ventured to Major League Soccer (MLS) with LA Galaxy in August. Despite making an impact with six goals in nine starts, the anticipated contract extension did not materialize. Disappointed by the turn of events, Sharp returned to England, joining Championship side Hull City in December.

Reflecting on his move to LA Galaxy, Sharp explains, "I had offers from Championship clubs after leaving United, but it felt too early. When the opportunity at LA Galaxy came up, it was perfect." Despite the initial promise of a contract extension, the reality fell short of expectations. Sharp's return to England became possible when Liam Rosenior, the manager of Hull City, expressed interest in him.

Currently, Hull City finds itself in contention for a Premier League promotion under Rosenior's leadership. Occupying the seventh position in the table, just shy of the play-off spots after 31 games, Sharp's presence adds experience and goal-scoring prowess to their pursuit of top-flight football.