Steve Gilbert
Level: Paul Moody
(197 Apps, 75 Gls)
He spent a year with us, was a local lad and grew up as an Oxford fan.
Championship 08-05-2025: Play-off 1st leg - Bristol City v Sheffield United
- Thread starter West Oxon U’s
- Start date
Level: Paul Moody
Sheffield United have the worst playoff history in English football.
They've qualified for the playoffs 9 times, and not been successful in any of those attempts (including a relegation playoff, which saw them go down).
They've played in the final 4 times, and not scoring a single goal in them! One of those went to a penalty shootout. It went all the way down to the keepers, which Huddersfield’s scored and Sheff Utd's missed.
My uncle (a Blade) has been at them all. He's hoping that, as he can't go this year (he'll be at my wedding!) his absence will break the curse
They've qualified for the playoffs 9 times, and not been successful in any of those attempts (including a relegation playoff, which saw them go down).
They've played in the final 4 times, and not scoring a single goal in them! One of those went to a penalty shootout. It went all the way down to the keepers, which Huddersfield’s scored and Sheff Utd's missed.
My uncle (a Blade) has been at them all. He's hoping that, as he can't go this year (he'll be at my wedding!) his absence will break the curse
Sheffield United have the worst playoff history in English football.
They've qualified for the playoffs 9 times, and not been successful in any of those attempts (including a relegation playoff, which saw them go down).
They've played in the final 4 times, and not scoring a single goal in them! The only time they found the back of the net was when one of the finals went to a penalty shootout. It went all the way down to the keepers, which Huddersfield’s scored and Sheff Utd's missed.
My uncle (a Blade) has been at them all. He's hoping that, as he can't go this year (he'll be at my wedding!) his absence will break the curse
If they can't finally win one this year given that they are markedly better than the other teams then they should probably just concede any they qualify for in future, obviously jinxed.
Peterdev
Level: Steve Basham
(189 Apps, 51 Gls)
We beat them 3-0 under Brian Horton. We were bottom and they were top. Think it was a New Year’s Day game
I’ve heard a few fans say they’d rather have seen Coventry or Bristol City go up, I just don’t get this at all. Both an hour and a bit from us and on paper both appear far closer to us on a competitive level. Hopefully Sunderland win tonight and it’s then the ideal final. I think I’d rather Sheffield go up, Sunderland is a bit more of an unsettled club and they could easily be weaker next year whereas you just know Sheffield United will be strong and right up there again.
Colin B
Level: Dave Roberts
(176 Apps, 8 Gls)
I hope they lose heavily in the final, as I'd love to see Wilder spontaneously combust on the touchline.
I wonder who he would blame, as it certainly wouldn't be his fault, it never is.
I wonder who he would blame, as it certainly wouldn't be his fault, it never is.
It’s weird, I’ve always found Wilder a dislikable individual - even when he managed us he wasn’t the most endearing personality - but just lately I’ve found myself warming to him a bit more. It might have stemmed from post match v us when rather than being all typically sour and bitter he was quite gracious and complimentary towards us. Perhaps he showing a touch more humility these days but it’s certainly felt like he’s more tolerable of late.
I will always have a fondness of sorts for him because of all the play off wins I don't think any were more important than York in 2010.
There's echoes with the KR era in that it just totally fizzled out and ended quite badly. But unlike KR Wilder took us up and you have to respect that.
He's clearly a manager that gets into lots of scraps. He's probably not the worst bloke in the world though.
Jason N
Level: Dave Langan
(136 Apps, 3 Gls)
Did you see his reaction leaving the pitch against Blackburn? The lad was in tears, he adored the club and didn’t want to go. It’s rare for a player and a club’s fans to have that kind of connection, especially a loanee. That game was strange for me. We were having a cracking season, but I couldn’t shake the sadness knowing my favorite player was off. When George left the pitch, I was crying with him.
I'm not sure he was backed that well after getting us back in the league, we drifted for a couple of seasons. The ownership was a bit crap and it took Eales, Ashton and Appleton to rejuvenate the club, by which time Wilder was long gone.
As a fan of a smaller club, I would far rather Bristol City, objectively the smallest club in the playoffs, go up to the top-flight than any of the other 3, as their fans have had plenty of Premier League experience. Give their fans an exciting new adventure. Think about where we were last summer. This season has been far more special for our fans than it would have been for Bolton's fans, had they gone up.
Sheffield United have the worst playoff history in English football.
They've qualified for the playoffs 9 times, and not been successful in any of those attempts (including a relegation playoff, which saw them go down).
They've played in the final 4 times, and not scoring a single goal in them! One of those went to a penalty shootout. It went all the way down to the keepers, which Huddersfield’s scored and Sheff Utd's missed.
My uncle (a Blade) has been at them all. He's hoping that, as he can't go this year (he'll be at my wedding!) his absence will break the curse
Wilder is 1 from 1 at Wembley, and 1 from 1 in playoff campaigns.
One of the records ends!
Foley
Level: Colin Harrington
(260 Apps, 30 Gls)
And Wilder has the mentality to ignore the previous record.
After the first leg, Wilder pushed the players away when celebrating. To me he was saying that this is nowhere near finished yet.
Whatever you think of him, I reckon Wilder is an ideal manager for a play off campaign
He has the best team, he is the most experienced manager who has been there and done it, it would be a shock if they don't go up from here.
I agree, memory is getting hazy of that period now but I often felt we didn't have deep squads and relied on loans which often didn't come off.
I couldn't care less about Bristol City and their fans. All I'm bothered about is us and Bristol is 3.5 hours closer than Sunderland, 1.5-2 hours closer than Sheffield and they will likely be a far more beatable club next year than either Sunderland or Sheffield United.
Having had to miss out on Bristol City this year as it clashed with something I couldn't get out off I am made up that they stayed down, good day out in Bristol. Just need it to fall on a Saturday now.
Yep - cracking day out - cheap as chips on the train and some great pubs. Nice ground as well.
