Sheffield United are mounting a serious push to be promoted from the Championship this season. With eight games left to play they are second in the table.
Going up a division is not something that the Blades are strangers to. It has happened on 10 occasions to date.
So how does the 2018/19 campaign compare to those other times?
1938/39 – promoted to Division One
After 41 years in the top flight of English football, United were relegated for the first time in 1934. Five years in Division Two followed before 17 goals from Jack Dodds helped fire them back to the big time. In a 42-game season they won 20 games under Terry Davison.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
1952/53 – promoted to Division One
The Blades were relegated again in 1949, but four years later they would win the Division Two title in Reg Freeman’s first year as manager. Alf Ringstead was top scorer this time with 22 strikes, while they won 25 of their 42 fixtures.
1960/61 – promoted to Division One
The yo-yo effect continued with relegation once again in 1956. Five years in the second tier followed before finishing second in 1960/61 with 26 wins from 42 games. Derek Pace top scored – as he did every season for seven consecutive years between 1957/58 and 1963/64 – with 26 goals and John Harris was boss.
1970/71 – promoted to Division One
Harris was back when United were down again in 1968, but this time only stayed three years in Division Two before again ending up as runners-up. This time it was after 21 league victories, while Alan Woodward top scored with 15.
1981/82 – promoted to Division Three
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a tricky time for the club, with them suffering relegation three times in five years. By 1981 they were in the fourth tier for the first time ever. Ian Porterfield was appointed and luckily their stay lasted just one year, with them winning 27 of what was now a 46-game season while Keith Edwards netted an impressive 35 goals.
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1983/84 – promoted to Division Two
The Blades’ stay in Division Three was also thankfully brief, with them promoted again after two years under Porterfield. Edwards once again top scored with 34 strikes, while they won 24 of 46 fixtures.
1988/89 – promoted to Division Two
United were back in the third tier by 1988 and in came the legendary Dave Bassett as manager. They were duly promoted after a one year stay, with Tony Agana top scoring with 24 and 25 wins from 46 games.
1989/90 – promoted to Division One
After a 15-year absence Bassett lead the club back to the top flight with 24 victories coming from their 46 outings. Brian Deane top scored, as he would for four consecutive years, with 21 goals.
2005/06 – promoted to the Premier League
Deane had scored the first ever Premier League goal, but the Blades only last two years in this new format before 12 back in the second tier. Neil Warnock took them up with 26 wins from 46 matches. Neil Shipperley top scored with 11.
2016/17 – promoted to the Championship
If Chris Wilder takes United up this season he will match the achievement of Harris, Porterfield and Bassett of getting promoted twice with the club. Following six years in League One, Wilder took them back to the Championship in emphatic style with 30 wins and 100 points. Billy Sharp also scored 30 goals.
