How Doncaster Rovers are benefitting in the same way Sheffield United did - it involves Billy Sharp | OneFootball

Proving age is but a number, Billy Sharp has been superb for Doncaster Rovers this season.

Proving age is but a number, Billy Sharp has been superb for Doncaster Rovers this season.

The veteran marksman has netted in two Sky Bet League One games so far this term, including one against his favourite opposition - Bradford City.

But, his work alongside his goalscoring has impressed too, being able to lead the line, manage games late on, and use every ounce of his experience.

Beating Bradford City a sign of Doncaster Rovers quality

Sharp's form has been a major point of success for Grant McCann's side in their return to the third tier.

At the first international break, Doncaster sit joint-top and level on points with the ever-impressive Cardiff City. They have lost only one of their first seven games, alongside advances in the EFL Cup and an initial win in the EFL Trophy.

Sharp was a notable performer in Rovers' stunning win away at Middlesbrough, winning 4-0 in the Championship outfit's own backyard.

But, his latest goal, against Bradford, brings with it the sign that Sharp is at the peak of his powers once again. Sharp pinched the ball off a struggling Bantams defence, slid the ball into the bottom corner, and proceeded to mock the sell-out away end with a 'Pecked by the Chickens' inspired dance in reaction to the recent social media trend.

It was a game in which Sharp, the former Sheffield United skipper, brought the very best he had. There was not a single ball sent in his direction that he did not contest against the off-colour pair of Joe Wright and Curtis Tilt, who looked unable to deal with the veteran's hold-up play.

On his return to Doncaster last summer, Sharp sparked fan-fare in one corner of South Yorkshire. It brought its rewards, with 12 goals across a season that saw Rovers promoted out of League Two as champions.

The Sheffield-born striker netted against Bradford, something he has now done in nine consecutive meetings, on the penultimate game of the season to secure promotion ahead of the final day.

Billy Sharp is winding back the clock to his Sheffield United days

His recent form, an extension of his exploits last term, has wound the clock back to his time at Bramall Lane.

The legendary front-man scored 129 times, alongside 42 assists, across 377 appearances for the red and white side of the Steel City. It's eight years ago since Sharp helped Sheffield United to League One promotion and the title in 2016/17, exiting the division with 51 goals in 90 appearances for the Blades.

He is an undeniable icon at the Sheffield club, something he is replicating at Doncaster in his second permanent spell at the club, albeit a touch less frequently, with two goals in his first seven League One games of 2025/26.

There was no doubting how important Sharp was at United, not just with his goalscoring, but in his leadership and tireless work in tying together attacks. That is what he has been so good at, allowing others to shine, while also having the golden touch at the end of a move when needed.

Sharp has now spent four separate stints at Rovers, with two varying loan spells sitting next to his current and 2010-12 spells on the books of the club permanently.

With his superb play so far this season, Sharp has already begun to replicate the success he brought to his former club. He will turn 40 before the end of the current season, but there seems to be no expiry date on the abilities of Sharp to turn a defender, find the back of the net, and propel his team forward.