Wilder Labels Billy Sharp As Modern Day Sheffield United GOAT
Sheffield United legend and boyhood Blade Billy Sharp has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 22-year career that saw him score an incredible 299 goals.
The former Blades captain confirmed the news over the weekend while working as a pundit for Sky Sports, explaining that he wanted to walk away from the game on his own terms after a career filled with memorable moments, goals and promotions.
Sharp had been a free agent since leaving Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season, but the experienced striker signed off in fitting fashion, scoring a hat-trick in his final appearance against Peterborough United.
Few players have enjoyed such a strong connection with Sheffield United supporters, with Sharp becoming one of the most recognisable figures in the club’s modern history after several spells at Bramall Lane.
And following the retirement announcement, Blades boss Chris Wilder has delivered a glowing tribute to the striker, describing him as one of the greatest players to represent United in the modern era.
Chris Wilder Hails Sheffield United Legend Billy Sharp
Speaking to the media about Sharp’s retirement, Wilder made it clear just how highly he regards the former Blades captain, placing him among the club’s greatest-ever players while acknowledging the special connection he has with the supporters.
“Right up there [with one of the greatest Sheffield United players of all time],” Wilder said. “He’s not got a stand named after him just yet, and obviously somebody else has, and rightly so. But the modern generation, one of the best, and everybody recognises [Tony Currie]. I can call him now our best player, but Billy as well, where he was brought up just down the road, and his affiliation to the club. Modern day Sheffield United, he’s number one.”
Wilder Reflects on Relationship With Sharp
Sharp’s influence extended well beyond his goalscoring record, with Wilder also reflecting on the decision to hand him the captaincy ahead of the 2016/17 League One campaign.
It was a significant appointment as Wilder looked to rebuild the club’s identity and establish a winning culture following several difficult years in League One. The manager believed Sharp was the ideal figure to lead that transformation, despite any doubts that may have existed at the time.
“On and off the pitch outstanding,” Wilder added. “Off of it, the first big decision I had to make for the football club [to make him captain in 2016/17]. I don’t know whether at the time we had a few heads turned or eyebrows raised regarding the choice, but it felt right for me and to reset our culture for the successful part of our history.
“And there was no better person to lead us forward.”
Billy Sharp: The Modern Day GOAT
The decision proved inspired. Sharp scored 30 league goals during United’s title-winning campaign, helping the Blades accumulate 100 points and secure promotion back to the Championship.
His goals, work rate and leadership were central to the transformation, with the striker setting the standards that Wilder wanted from his players.
United then carried that momentum into the 2017/18 Championship season, finishing tenth in their first campaign back in the second tier before taking another significant step forward the following year. The Blades finished second in 2018/19 to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League, with Sharp once again leading from the front by scoring 23 goals in all competitions.
After helping United climb out of League One, Sharp was instrumental in the club’s remarkable rise through the divisions and their subsequent return to the Premier League.
Wilder’s team ultimately finished ninth in the Premier League, narrowly missing out on European qualification after an outstanding first season back among English football’s elite.
Across his spells with Sheffield United, he made more than 300 appearances, scored over 100 goals and captained the club he had supported since childhood.
Wilder also highlighted the relationship between the pair, acknowledging that their time working together was not always straightforward but insisting that the mutual respect between them was fundamental to their success.
“Our relationship wasn’t straightforward, which I wouldn’t expect it to be… we challenged each other,” the United manager explained. “Obviously the old Brian Clough; you have your opinion and I have another opinion and obviously we’ll all agree that my opinion is the right one. Just an outstanding personality to work with.”
Wilder also pointed to another remarkable achievement with Sharp being the holder of the Championship’s all-time goalscoring record, with 130 goals.
Every generation of Blades have their own opinion of who is the greatest Sheffield United player of all time. Some point to Alan Woodward, others to TC. But without a doubt, there is only one player in the modern era that comes close to that title, and that man is Billy Sharp.
