Where are Wilder’s first Blades eleven now? | OneFootball

Earlier this week, it understandably went under the radar that it had been nine years since the start of Chris Wilder’s first spell as Blades boss.

In a time when he is on the cusp of potentially doing the unthinkable for the Blades. By winning the Championship playoffs. It’s important to remember where it all began.

So, let’s look at Chris Wilder’s first league eleven from the game against Bolton Wanderers. From the time that was League One, Sheffield United.

GK: George Long

The most surprising part to many non-Blades is that in front of goalkeeper George Long was a 4-4-2 instead of the infamous 5-3-2.

A long time ago, George joined the Blades academy in 2002. He made his Blades debut in May 2011 against Swansea City in a 4-0 defeat for the Blades.

In his time at Sheffield United, Long played 123 games, getting 39 clean sheets and conceding 149 goals.

Prior to leaving the Blades permanently in 2018, Long went on three loan spells. Playing a combined 26 games for Motherwell and Oxford United. Before his last more successful loan playing 49 games and keeping 12 clean sheets.

He then spent his longest permanent spell outside of the Blades with Hull City with 65 appearances and then moved on to Millwall.

Long is currently at Norwich City where he is the Canaries backup goalkeeper having played 24 times in two seasons. With just eight of those coming this season.

LB: Chris Hussey

Hussey began his career with Wimbledon having come through their academy after spells in Brentford and Woking’s academy. After a loan with Windsor & Eton, Hussey’s successful loan with Coventry saw him spend three years with the Sky Blues.

After 65 Coventry appearances, Hussey returned to Wimbledon in 2013 and then moved to Burton Albion. A loan to Bury from the Brewers would see Hussey join Bury permanently making over 100 appearances for the club.

He left Bury for the Blades in 2016 joining the club alongside Mark Duffy as Chris Wilder’s first two signings. Hussey played just 11 times for the Blades but managed two assists before leaving to join Cheltenham Town in 2018 after a loan at Swindon.

He made 155 appearances for Cheltenham Town contributing 3 goals and 23 appearances. Hussey won the League Two title with Cheltenham in 2020-2021 earning himself a place in the League Two team of the season.

Then, Hussey had spells at Port Vale, Stockport County, Walsall, and Stratford Town. He currently plays for Northern Premier League Division One West side Hednesford Town.

CB: James Wilson

James Wilson, one of two signed by Chris Wilder, began his career with Bristol City in 2008 before being loaned out twice to Brentford and once to Cheltenham. He made over 30 appearances for Bristol City before moving to Oldham Athletic. Where he made over 100 appearances before joining the Blades on a free.

He made 10 total appearances for the Blades in 2016-2017 contributing one goal to the eventual League One Champions.

After a loan at Walsall, Wilson left the Blades in 2018 joining Ipswich Town. Before joining Plymouth Argyle winning League One and helping the Pilgrims get into the Championship in 2023.

Since then he has joined his first club’s city rivals in 2023 signing for Bristol Rovers. He has made 80 total appearances in League One for the club. With 49 of the 80 appearances coming this season alone.

CB: Jack O’Connell

Starting his professional career at Ewood Park in 2012, O’Connell was sent on loan to Rotherham United, York City and Rochdale twice. He was then signed by Brentford only for the Bees to loan him for a third spell at Rochdale.

In 2016, Jack O’Connell after the deluge of temporary spells found a footballing home signing for Sheffield United. The overlapping centre-back wore his magic hat 177 times for the Blades securing promotion from League One to the Premier League under Wilder. A key member of Wilder’s rise to the top flight and a player most Blades believed would go on to feature for the Three Lions at some point.

O’Connell suffered an awful and unfortunate career-ending injury at the start of the 2020-2021 season. The injury continued to persist with O’Connell calling time on his career in July 2023.

Despite this, O’Connell has secured himself as a legend at Bramall Lane and has become synonymous with the overlapping centre-back role. Since his injury, O’Connell has been seen focusing on his fitness with posting his impressive results on Instagram.

Finally, despite, confusion when researching him online, Jack didn’t feature in the recent Box Office hit ‘Sinners’

RB: John Brayford

Another player at the club prior to Chris Wilder’s arrival as manager. John Brayford began his career at Burton Albion in 2006 going onto play for Crewe, Derby County and Cardiff City.

Brayford initially joined the Blades on loan from the Bluebirds before signing permanently. An excellent player for the Blades FA Cup run, Brayford made 69 appearances in a Blades’ shirt scoring four goals and getting four assists.

After leaving Bramall Lane initially on loan to Burton. He returned to the club permanently in 2017. He made 281 appearances for Burton scoring 22 goals before retiring in 2024. Becoming a first-team coach for the Brewers.

LM: Matt Done

Done began his career at Wrexham spending three years with the Welsh club. Before moving to Hereford United and having his first spell at Rochdale. He moved to Barnsley in 2011 and was loaned to Hibernian in his second season at Oakwell.

2013-2014 saw Done return to Rochdale winning promotion from League Two with the club. The season after Nigel Clough brought Done to Bramall Lane in February.

Under Chris Wilder, Done managed 5 goal contributions in 35 appearances as the Blades were promoted as Centurions.

After the Blades promotion Done returned to Rochdale for a third spell making 200 appearances in five year. Overall, with more than 300 games for Rochdale, Done became one of the top 10 most appearance holders for Rochdale.

He was interim coach at Port Vale last year in February before Darren Moore was hired. He is currently a Player Development Coach with the Valiants.

CM: Chris Basham

After an early career with then Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. Where he made his Premier League debut. Plus, where he went out on loan to Rochdale, a common destination for this side.

He spent four years at Blackpool before moving onto Bramall Lane. Despite joining the Blades at 26, Basham managed to make 394 appearances for the Blades. With a symmetrical 15 goals and 15 assists contributed.

Basham became an important overlapping centre-back for the Blades. With his initial central midfield position used in this game a precursor to his ability to play higher up the pitch.

After an unfortunate injury brought Basham’s playing career to an end. His recent charity game helped raise important money for the city’s Weston Park charity. With Basham continuing to have a close relationship with Sheffield.

He also currently appears as a pundit, usually on Sky Sports covering the Blades.

CM: John Fleck

Starting out at Rangers, the Scottish midfielder headed for a temporary loan to Blackpool before making the move to England permanent with Coventry City.

Fleck’s time with the Sky Blues saw him make 182 appearances and earn the club’s Player of the Year in his final season (2015-2016).

He joined the Blades in the summer of 2016 and was named in the League One Team of the Year in his first season. As well as the Blades’ Player of the Year for 2016-17 and 2017-18.

After helping the Blades to the Premier League. Fleck’s first season in the top flight was so impressive he was rumoured to be of interest to Arsenal.

In 2023, after 278 appearances, Fleck left Bramall Lane joining Blackburn Rovers where he made one appearance.

He currently plays for Chesterfield, who are 2-0 down in the League Two playoffs in their first season back in the EFL.

RM: Mark Duffy

After a long CV including Vauxhall Motors, Prescot Cables, Southport and Morecambe. Duffy settled at Scunthorpe United making over 100 appearances.

He then joined Doncaster Rovers, Birmingham City and had two loans at Chesterfield and Burton Albion before arriving at Bramall Lane.

In his time in red-and-white, Duffy helped the Blades reach the Premier League. He also became the iconic bounce-slayer.

Although, he didn’t make it to the Premier League with the Blades joining Stoke and ADO Den Haag on loan. Before permanent moves to Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers.

Duffy then helped Macclesfield win the North West Counties Football League Premier Division. Plus, the Northern Premier League Division One West.

He has also managed Macclesfield and his final playing side Warrington Rylands. Earlier this week, he was named as the new Southport FC assistant manager.

ST: Leon Clarke

Prior to joining the Blades, Leon Clarke played for. Breathe in. Wolves, Kidderminster Harriers, QPR, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic, Southend United, QPR (again), Preston North End, Swindon Town, Chesterfield, Charlton Athletic, Crawley Town, Scunthorpe United, Coventry City, Wolves (again), Wigan Athletic, and Bury.

At Bramall Lane, Clarke became a fan favourite mainly in League One and the Championship. Helping the Blades in the Centurion season and scoring an important goal in the Bounce-slayer Steel City Derby.

He managed 32 goals in 96 games for the Blades. A quality goal rate of one goal in every three games.

Returning back to his travelling ways. Clarke went on to play for. Breathe in again. Wigan Athletic, Shrewsbury Town, Bristol Rovers, Hartlepool United, Rushall Olympic, Kettering Town and Mickleover.

In November 2024, Clarke was named as an academy coach for Birmingham City. With the bizarre announcement photo with the Blades badge edited off of the red-and-white kit.

ST: Billy Sharp

Last but not least. If you’ve got this far you probably know who Billy Sharp is. Sharp had three spells at Bramall Lane but undoubtedly his best spell came under Chris Wilder.

He scored 129 goals in his 377 appearances at the club, and under Chris Wilder became the EFL’s top goalscorer for the 21st century.

Sharp left Bramall Lane after a third promotion of his third spell at the club. Joining LA Galaxy in the MLS scoring 6 goals in 12 games.

He returned to the EFL with Hull City, the first club he didn’t score for although he only had 13 games.

This season, Sharp has achieved another promotion in his third spell at the horizontal red-and-whites, Doncaster Rovers. With Sharp likely to be back in League One almost ten years after being in this matchday squad. Unreal longevity.