Sheffield United: Thirty Memorable Games from the Seventies

With their brand of exciting, attacking football, United returned to the top flight in May 1971, following a tense and exciting promotion campaign. Taking the first division by storm, United swept aside previous title winners Leeds, Everton and Arsenal, to top the table in October.

 It was the legendary era of Woodward and Currie; one where United were a major force in the game. It was also a period of transition where, by the end of 1973, John Harris had left the manager’s office and Yorkshire had played their final game at Bramall Lane. Just missing out on the League title and European qualification at the end of the 1974–75 season, August 1975 saw the opening of the new South Stand and a four-sided, dedicated football ground. Unfortunately, the crippling costs of the development saw the Blades enter a rapid period of decline that, by the end of the decade and regardless of several changes in management, saw United in the third division. 

Revisiting the most exciting games of the period, the author also analyses the key players of the era and the reasons for United’s initial success and ultimate decline.