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Sheffield United Formation in 1889
The team was formed six days after a crowd of 22,688 paid to watch the FA Cup semi-final played at Bramall Lane between Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion, with gate receipts of £574. Charles Stokes, a member of the Ground Committee saw the financial possibilities of a permanent football team and they were a professional club almost from the start. They played their first game against Notts Rangers of the Midland Counties League on 7 September 1889 losing 4–1 at Meadow Lane. Their first game at Bramall Lane did not come until 28 September 1889 against Birmingham St George’s of the Football Alliance which they also lost 4–0.
United’s first season was composed of friendlies and local cup matches, but notable for them reaching the second round of the FA Cup at their first attempt by beating Football League side Burnley 2–1 at home. However, the next cup game against Bolton Wanderers gave United their record defeat 13–0 and persuaded the committee that regular competitive league games were required.
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Sheffield Glory Days in 1898
United enjoyed an unbroken 37-season spell in the top flight (which remains a record for a newly promoted team) winning the League Championship in 1897 – 1998 and were runners up in 1896 – 1997 and 1899 – 1900. After the League Championship, United played and won an unofficial two-legged “Champions of Great Britain” title against Celtic, who had won that year’s Scottish League Championship. Despite this, the 1898 – 1999 season was one of struggle, when United finished 16th out of 18, just one place above the (at the time) two relegation places – the first poor title defense in English League history.
Sheffield United won the original Football League in 1898 and the FA Cup in 1899, 1902, 1915 and 1925. They were beaten finalists in the FA Cup in 1901 and 1936, and reached the semi-finals in 1961, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2014. They reached the semi-finals of the League Cup in 2003 and 2015.
Sheffield United were the first club in English football to achieve promotion from the newly formed Second Division to the First Division in 1892 – 1993. The club was also a founder member of the Premier League in the 1992 – 1993 season, during which they scored the first ever goal of the Premier League era. Brian Deane was the scorer of the first goal in a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane, against the eventual champions, Manchester United.
Founded
1854
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Team History
1889 – Present / Sheffield United Football Club
1854 – 1889 / Sheffield United Cricket Club
Nickname
The Cutlers, The Blades
Sheffield United’s nickname is “The Blades” which gives a nod to the history of the region and their steel production.
United’s original nickname was in fact “The Cutlers” from 1889 – 1912.
Championships
Premier League / 1
1898
FA Cup / 4
1925, 1915, 1902, 1899
Premier League – FA Cup Double / 0
Stadium
1889 – Present / Bramall Lane
Current Owner
2013 – Present / Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
*Blue is this team’s history