The Blades meet the Clarets this weekend in Premier League action. It’s only the third time the clubs have met in league action since Wade Elliott broke United hearts at Wembley back in 2009.
On that blisteringly warm Wembley day, United found themselves undone by a moment of brilliance. Elliott, as has he had done numerous times throughout the season, beautifully curled the ball beyond a despairing Paddy Kenny.
Wade Elliott, Burnley – (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
The contrasting fortunes of both clubs since that day are miles apart. The Blades have spent six years in League One before rising under Chris Wilder. Burnley, on the other hand, have cemented themselves a solid Premier League club.
There’s been a host of players through the years to have played for both clubs. The likes of Andy Gray, Glen Little, and Matty Lowton are among the names to don the red and white as well as the claret and blue.
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Another name to mention in that list though, has to be striker, Ade Akinbiyi. The former Leicester and Wolves man had two spells at Turf Moor, while he spent 12 months at Bramall Lane in between.
Akinbiyi, in fairness, played his part for both clubs.
Instant impact
Akinbiyi moved to the Blades in the January of 2006. Neil Warnock – impressed with what he was seeing at the time – added yet more firepower to his squad as he looked to seal promotion.
To say Akibiyi had an instant impact on proceedings at Sheffield United would be an understatement.
A goal on his debut at Derby County led to a crucial away win for Neil Warnock’s men. He followed this only a few weeks later with a thunderbolt of a volley at Hillsborough. This goal pretty much ensured he wouldn’t ever need to buy a drink in Sheffield again.
Ade Akinbiyi, Sheffield United – (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
In his short time at Bramall Lane, he notched only four times. However, three of those four were in winning efforts, with two directly being the difference in winning three points and not.
Controversies
A bust-up with defender Claude Davis didn’t help things for Akinbiyi and with Jon Stead leading the line for United at the time, he struggled to get in on the action.
Despite helping United to promotion, he lasted only six months of the campaign. Manager Neil Warnock had little use for Akinbiyi and subsequently sold him back to Burnley in the January transfer window.
Akibiyi – (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
The goals dried up somewhat for Akinbiyi and he eventually found himself moving to the MLS, coincidentally, just months before Burnley saw off United at Wembley.
Overall record (League only)
| Games | Goals | |
| Sheffield United | 14 | 4 |
| Burnley | 75 | 30 |
