Billy Sharp: Inspirational Sheffield United skipper deserves a proper crack at the Premier League

Adele November 19, 2020
Billy Sharp: Inspirational Sheffield United skipper deserves a proper crack at the Premier League
He is the most prolific English League striker of his generation. He is the comeback king. His name is BillySharp.Scoring 227 league goals since the year 2000 is a pretty remarkable achievement – that is before any mitigating factors come into the equation.Billy Sharp has been the driving force behind Sheffield United’s Championship promotion bid6
Billy Sharp has been the driving force behind Sheffield United’s Championship promotion bid
Sharp’s story has been one hell of a rollercoaster with more than a fair share of adversities along the way.None more so than the tragic loss of his son, Luey Jacob, back in October 2011.He was just two days old when he tragically died of gastroschisis.Many would have understandably taken the necessary time out to get their head straight – not Sharp.Three days later and he was captaining his side at that time, Doncaster, in a Championship clash at home to Middlesbrough.He opened the scoring with a 14th-minute wonder goal, which he celebrated by lifting up his strip to reveal a T-shirt bearing the slogan ‘That’s for you, son’. The club icon, pictured celebrating promotion to the third tier with supporters two years ago, has been in devastating form this season6
The club icon, pictured celebrating promotion to the third tier with supporters two years ago, has been in devastating form this season
Despite eventually falling to a 3-1 defeat, Sharp labelled the goal ‘the most important of his career’, as the striker gained huge plaudits and respect for his show of incredible strength.Now 33, you’d be thinking Sharp – the modern day ‘fox in the box’ – would be showing signs of slowing up. Think again.He has already scored an incredible 24 goals in 38 appearances for Chris Wilder’s promotion chasers this season – including a superb hat-trick at Aston Villa back in February.Not bad for a ‘fat lad from Sheffield’ – the words etched across a shirt he unveiled during a game back in 2010. Sharp, 33, has found the net 24 times in just 38 appearances this season – including a hat-trick at Aston Villa6
Sharp, 33, has found the net 24 times in just 38 appearances this season – including a hat-trick at Aston Villa
Sharp has regrets.Speaking after becoming the joint-highest scoring Englishman this century following a brace against Blackburn in December, he said:“If I could have played here all my career then I would have done.“I’d have loved to have done that.“I had to go away a couple of times to benefit myself but I feel as if I’ve come back at exactly the right time.“I feel as fit and as strong as ever. I feel I can keep going for sometime yet.”And who could argue with that?

TOP GOALSCORERS IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL THIS CENTURY

BILLY SHARP – 227Rickie Lambert – 219Wayne Rooney – 208Jermain Defoe – 191Frank Lampard – 158Sergio Aguero – 157Harry Kane – 126It’s not just at Bramall Lane where Sharp has made his mark, though.He made his first-team debut for the Blades during the 2004/05 season, but after struggling to make an impact was shipped out on loan to Rushden & Diamonds.The potential was there for everyone to see even at that tender age.Nine goals in 16 games prompted Scunthorpe United to sign the striker on a permanent basis in 2005.Over the next two seasons Sharp quite literally had a field day.He scored 23 times in his maiden campaign and followed that up with another 30 in the 2006/07 season helping guide the Iron to promotion to the Championship.Come that summer the interest in Sharp was intensifying and deservedly so.A number of clubs made bids for his services, but ultimately only one of those really floated his boat.A return to the Steel City, it was to be. Sharp arrived back home with a 2million price tag slapped on his head and expectations galore.However, it was not to be the dream return he would have envisaged.He had to wait until March to score his first league goal against Coventry, finding the net just three more times that season.Sharp went back to the drawing board and started the 2008/09 season in devastating fashion.An opening day hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers looked like setting the tone for the rest of the campaign, following that up with a crucial equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Coventry a few weeks later.But that was to be his last league goal of the season.Come July and Sharp’s dream return had turned into a nightmare – finding himself on the transfer list following the Blades’ failure to secure promotion.Sharp in action during his second stint at Bramall Lane6
Sharp in action during his second stint at Bramall Lane
A season-long loan to Doncaster followed. Sharp was unusually handed the No 5 shirt for the new campaign – and that killer goal instinct was well and truly back.Injury halted his progress towards the end of the 2009/10 season, but still Sharp notched 15 goals in 33 league games.United rejected a 1m from Doncaster, before Sharp himself turned down a move to recently relegated Burnley – despite the offer in excess of 1m being accepted.Doncaster finally struck gold though, agreeing a fee of around 1.15m to land Sharp on a three-year deal in July 2010.Sharp was a big hit at Doncaster during three separate spells6
Sharp was a big hit at Doncaster during three separate spells
The second chapter of Sharp’s Sheffield United career had closed.Unsurprisingly, he was a big hit at Doncaster during his two years at the club – and was on the move again in January 2012, reuniting with his old Iron boss Nigel Adkins at St Mary’s, penning a three-and-a-half year deal in the process.However, it proved to be a strange time for Sharp at Southampton – making just 17 appearances spanning a two-and-a-half year period.While he found the net nine times during that time, he was shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest, Reading and former side Doncaster during that time.The prolific striker made just 17 appearances for Southampton during a two-and-a-half year spell6
The prolific striker made just 17 appearances for Southampton during a two-and-a-half year spell
Leeds United was Sharp’s next port of call, albeit a brief one.The front man will be the first person to tell you that his spell at Elland Road was not the finest time of his career, scoring just five times in 33 appearances.But then it was time for him to return home – and as they say, the rest is history.His first season back at Bramall Lane heralded 21 goals, with his 30-goal return the next season helping Wilder’s men return to the Championship.He has continued his goalscoring heroics in the second tier, too.After falling just short of making the play-offs last season, there is increasing confidence around the Steel City that this is the season they return to the big time.And Sharp – voted in the EFL Team of the Year earlier last weekend – deserves that more than anyone.He comes alive in front of the Bramall Lane faithful, who he deservedly holds legendary status with.However, for the great goalscorer he is – Sharp has just two Premier League appearances to his name.That could all change next season. A return to the promised land would be nothing more than that ‘fat lad from Sheffield’ deserves.
The fan confronted Tavernier, who suffered no harm thankfully

Arsenal centre-half Rob Holding has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.. Holding was forced off in the first half of the
Nkoudou struggled for first-team action at Spurs and has now left for Monaco on loan
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Naby Keita ruled out of Champions
Hazard in action in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup match with Spurs

Peterborough appoint Darren Ferguson for a third time just an HOUR after sacking Steve Evans. Peterborough have appointed Darren Ferguson on a United midfielder last managed the Posh in
Ferguson Appointed As Manager Until End Of Season - News
Jurgen Klopp applauds at the end of an outstanding Premier League season for Liverpool

The 2018/19 Premier League season is done and dusted, with Manchester City again reigning victorious. Pep Guardiola's men retained the title for the first time in their history with a 4-1 win at
Premier League fixtures 2019-20: Liverpool opens the season
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock celebrates the win

Blackpool vs Arsenal LIVE on talkSPORT - how to listen, stream info, kick-off time, confirmed team news Posted on March 1, 2019 Arsenal are looking to win their fourth FA Cup crown in six years this season and kick off their competition with a trip to Blackpool this weekend.
Blackpool vs Arsenal LIVE on talkSPORT - how to listen
The Premier League title could well evade Liverpool’s grasp yet again this season

Whether it's the very latest transfer news from St James' Park, quotes from the manager's press conference, match previews and reports, or news about the Magpies' season, we've got it covered. Breaking news from each site is brought to you automatically and continuously 24/7, within around 10 minutes of publication.
Rangers chairman Dave King

The coolest footballers of all time, including Andrea Pirlo, Xabi Alonso, Dimitar Berbatov and Eric Cantona No one really knows what cool is, but these footballers have got it. At least they do, according to talkSPORT.com. Andrea Pirlo definitely had it, judging by the meltdown some fans had when he.. talkSPORT - Published on December 25, 2018
Navy acknowledges request regarding USS John S. McCain made
Scott Brown was up to his old antics again against Rangers

Feared dead with French police confirming Cardiff ace was on board missing plane amedpost 0 January 22, 2019 11:28 am EMILIANO SALA has burst onto the scene this season in Ligue 1, helping himself to a better goalscoring record than the world's most expensive
Emiliano Sala missing plane: Fears for Cardiff City's record
Daniel James opened the scoring for Swansea

Manchester United news: Paul Pogba shows off outrageous control with impromptu first touch during interview. reacting quickly to gently control the pass and knock it to the side - all while
Manchester United news: Paul Pogba shows off outrageous
Chelsea’s approach in the transfer market has not always been the best

Liverpool's 4-2 victory over Burnley on Sunday marked their 36th consecutive Premier League match at Anfield without defeat. That's almost two years without tasting defeat at home in the competition.
Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea - Three unbeaten records but
Vialli was Chelsea’s player/manager when they won the Cup Winners Cup in 1998

Man United consider transfer move for 18-year-old English sensation December 9, 2018 Lado Man United 0 Bristol City's Antoine Semenyo is attracting Manchester United's attention, who sent scouts to watch the forward in action for Newport County.
Manchester United - Transfer News - 8 December 2018
atomicsoda.com/man-utd/transfer-news/8-dec-2018
Manchester United consider transfer move for Bristol City's Antoine Semenyo Man Utd news: Jesse Lingard claims Red Devils are ready to turn season around
Manchester United tracking Bristol City starlet after
Tags:

Post a Comment

0 Comments