5 players you forgot played for the Blades and Leeds | OneFootball

In our match previews and social media posts, we highlight players who’ve played for the Blades and the opposition. Many players who have called Bramall Lane home, have also plied their trade at Monday’s opponents Leeds. So many you’ve likely forgotten all of them.

But it’s okay because this article will remind you of five obscure ones.

1. Sam Vokes

A striker best known for his time at both club’s promotion rivals Burnley, Vokes has scored for both the Blades and Leeds. Whilst, he scored 64 goals for the Clarets, Vokes managed to score once in both South and West Yorkshire.

In 2009, Vokes arrived at Elland Road on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. He signed in October on a loan that lasted until New Year’s Day 2010. He played ten times for Leeds, scoring just once before heading back to the Midlands.

In 2011, Vokes moved to Bramall Lane on a month-long loan. His third temporary spell away from Wolves. His February in Sheffield saw him play six times scoring on his debut. Although, having been a signing due to injuries to other strikers, Vokes left Bramall Lane without having his loan extended.

Vokes is now currently with Wycombe Wanderers where he has a decent record of 30 goals in 140 matches for the League One side.

2. Ryan Hall

Hall joined Leeds United initially on loan from Southend United in October 2012 before joining permanently in January. His move to Leeds reunited, Hall with former manager Neil Warnock. With the pair having worked together at Crystal Palace. He played nine times and got two assists for the club.

In September 2013, Hall was loaned to the Blades from Leeds for a month. Hall played five times and got an assist. Upon his return to Leeds, he was eventually released.

He now plays for AFC Whyteleafe in the Combined Counties Premier Division South. Whyteleafe interestingly were founded in 2021 after the original side were dissolved the same year. They currently sit 2nd in the league, good luck Ryan.

3. Shane Lowry

The defender joined Leeds on loan in January 2010 from Aston Villa. The deal would see Lowry stay initially until March but he extended his loan until the end of the season. He played 12 times for Leeds as they were promoted to the Championship. Despite his role in the promotion run-in, Lowry didn’t return to Leeds.

Lowry, back at Villa, was loaned to Sheffield United in January 2011 until the end of the season. Unfortunately, in his 17 games at the club, Lowry saw relegation to League One, in an opposite end to his time at Leeds. Although, one positive was the assist he got for the Blades something he didn’t manage for Leeds.

Lowry is currently playing for Malaysian League Leaders, Johor Darul Ta’zim. The side are currently unbeaten from their first 19 games, winning 18 and drawing one. So, it seems Lowry now 35 is having a good time his latter years as a footballer.

4. Geoff Horsfield

The Barnsley-born striker initially joined the Blades on loan from West Brom in February 2006. During his loan spell he played three times for the Blades before signing permanently on a transfer agreed as part of the loan. According to the BBC, Blades manager Warnock and Horsfield wanted the striker to return to the Baggies but the Midlands-based side stood firm. He scored just once whilst at the club.

In August 2006, the Blades loaned Horsfield to Elland Road. He played 15 times for Leeds contributing two goals and an assist. His loan was terminated by Leeds in January 2007.

Horsfield, 51, is retired and has his own building business and a foundation offering accommodation and support to the homeless.

5. Matthew Spring

Spring joined Leeds in July 2004 after being signed by Kevin Blackwell. He played 16 times for Leeds scoring once. Before joining Leeds, Spring had played for Luton Town and left Elland Road for Watford. Before returning to Kenilworth Road.

His second spell at Luton saw Spring join the Blades on loan in July 2008 playing 13 times. He scored and assisted once. Despite, his loan initially being for the season, he left the Blades in January 2009.

Spring retired in 2019 finishing his career with Hitchin Town in the Southern League Premier Division. His final spell at the club saw him sign as a player-coach.

Takeaways

All five of these players had good careers at their respective longer-term clubs, even if their times with Leeds and the Blades were short.

To say the sides are county rivals, they have shared a number of players over the years including Blades legends like Tony Currie and Billy Sharp among others.

But to end this article, a special mention to Matthew Spring. Playing for Leeds and Sheffield United but also crossing the divide between Luton Town and Watford. Fair play to him.