Billy Sharp image goes viral as Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday fans react | OneFootball

Billy Sharp was pictured with Sheffield Wednesday fans in New York during their 2-1 win at Leyton Orient on Saturday

Sheffield Wednesday kicked off life back in League One with three points away at Leyton Orient.

It took a while for Henrik Pedersen's side to get to grips with the third tier once again, with a first-half performance that was slow out of the blocks. Their only shot on target was the charge-down from Callum Slattery that deflected into the net for the opening goal.

But, in the second half, Wednesday took control, retook the lead and could have had more. In the end, it was a deserved win away from home.

Every club in the EFL has fan groups overseas who gather to watch their side play at any and all hours of the day. Wednesday, with the history they have, are no different, but the New York branch of Owls fans had an unexpected guest for their opening day watch-along.

Billy Sharp pictured with Sheffield Wednesday supporters in New York

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Sheffield Wednesday are heading into the new campaign with fresh optimism and hope under the Arise ownership.

That was felt at Hillsborough on the final day last season, all the way through the summer and in the away end at Brisbane Road, with Owls fans chanting "Wednesday are back" to the famous Oasis tune following the final whistle.

The excitement didn't stop in London, nor in England, though, as Wednesday fans in New York gathered for a 10 am kick-off on Saturday, and they were joined, surprisingly, by Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp.

Sharp is an EFL legend, with the most goals in Championship history and the fifth-most in League One history, too. The majority of those goals came while at Bramall Lane, netting 129 times in 377 appearances in a Blades shirt.

The 40-year-old is without a club following his departure from fellow South Yorkshire side Doncaster Rovers, and is seemingly spending time in America, a country he played in for four months in 2023 with LA Galaxy.

Sheffield United fans react to Billy Sharp image

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Understandably, there were a lot of Sheffield United fans reacting to the image of Sharp with a bunch of Wednesday fans in New York, and as is the case with rival fans online, they used the moment to take some playful digs at the blue side of Sheffield.

"Good to see Billy is doing charity work for the lesser-known clubs😂😂," one Blades fan commented in reply to the image online. "Love this. It’s great when footballers have time for the less privileged," another said.

Other Sheffield United fans felt that their former striker looked a little uncomfortable and forced in the photo, as if he didn't want to be there with the Wednesday supporters.

"Poor man..looks like he's been forced into a picture," one fan added, while others commented, "He looks a bit uncomfortable," and "He’ll have been made to do that."

Billy Sharp praised by Sheffield Wednesday fans for photo with New York supporters

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The overarching reaction to seeing Sharp taking photos with Sheffield Wednesday fans was positive, however, with plenty online praising how likeable the 40-year-old is, to the point where he can be around his rival's fanbase with no real opposition.

"Although he’s a Blade, he’s a top guy," one Wednesday fan wrote in the comments. "He’s a class bloke. Always has time for the kids no matter if they are Blades or Owls. He’s a top man," a Sheffield United fan added.

The New York Owls account even commented on the image, too, saying that Sharp was "a great sport," and they "gave him some stick while he was on camera but came over and chatted to us throughout the day."

There arguably isn't a more well-liked character in the EFL than the 40-year-old, whether that be due to him playing for your club, or the respect he's earned through a successful 20-year career.

Not many fans would be able to get on with one of their rival club's biggest icons, but Sharp has seemingly dispelled that with Sheffield Wednesday's supporters.