Iliman Ndiaye and Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed remarkable full debuts for Sheffield United this weekend in the 6-2 win over Peterborough.
Both were on the scoresheet, and both provided an assist as they gave Slavisa Jokanovic’s men a new found swagger. Blades fans hope there’ll be more to come tomorrow against Preston.
But Ndiaye and Gibbs-White aren’t the first Sheffield United players to enjoy a memorable debut for the club. Here, we’ve taken a look at a few other noteworthy Blades debuts from through the years.
Bobby Davison
Is there really anywhere else to start? Cult-hero Bobby Davison will forever be etched in Sheffield United history thanks to a memorable double strike against Sheffield Wednesday back in 1992.
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Dave Bassett signed Davison and chucked him straight into his starting XI for the clash with the Owls. Two goals, and a 3-1 win at Hillsborough later, and Davison had his name forever in the memories of United fans.
Rob Hulse
Some Sheffield United fans firmly believe if Hulse had stayed fit, then the Blades would have stayed up under Neil Warnock. That season, he scored eight goals before a horrific ankle injury ended Hulse’s season against Chelsea.
But, prior to that, he had enjoyed some good moments including a stellar debut display against Liverpool. Hulse bulleted a header into the net in front of the Kop to round off a fine individual display.
Once again, though, United fans were left wondering what might have been.
Vas Borbokis
Those lucky enough to see Vas Borbokis will remember just how good he was. Former players, such as Wayne Quinn, have spoken out on just how good ‘Vas’ was for the Blades.
His debut against Sunderland will forever go down as one of the better Sheffield United opening performances. Borbokis was everywhere, and rounded his performance off with a stunning effort into the top corner.
Matty Phillips and Billy Clarke
Although Phillips actually made his debut a few days earlier off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday in 2011, both he and fellow loanee, Billy Clarke, lit things up for United in a 4-2 win at Preston.
Phillips scored the first two of an impressive six goals in six games he would get while at the club. Clarke, meanwhile, had a hand in nearly all four goals at Deepdale.
The pair were only at the club briefly, but left a lasting impression, with Phillips enjoying a particularly memorable spell.
Brian Deane
While it’s not the most heartstopping debut of all time, it would be silly not to include club legend Deane in this list.
Deane scored 93 goals for the Blades and fired in the first of those 93 on his opening appearance for United at Reading back in 1988. Of course, it was just a small sign of things to come for Deano and United.
