Sheffield United v Sunderland

Championship play-off final at Wembley

Former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp says winning promotion through the play-offs this weekend would be the “icing on the cake” for Blades manager Chris Wilder.

United are looking for a swift return to the Premier League after just one year in the Championship and face Sunderland at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the top flight.

Neither club have previously won promotion through the play-offs from the second tier, and the South Yorkshire side have failed in their last nine attempts to get up through the end-of-season competition.

The 39-year-old Sharp, who has just signed a new one-year deal with Doncaster, has fond memories of playing under Wilder after his old boss made him captain of the club in 2016, and he thinks getting United back up through the play-offs would be one of his best achievements.

He told the PA news agency: “This one’s the one he’s not done (play-offs), he’s got promotion from League One, Championship to Premier League, but this one, through the play-offs would be the icing on the cake.

“He’s done everything as Sheffield United manager. He’s already managed in the Premier League, but to go up this way in front of 90,000 people would be some achievement.

“He was very fiery. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s passionate about Sheffield United and I remember the day that he walked me around the Bramall Lane pitch to tell me I was captain of the club.

“We achieved great things together and I’d love to be a part of the weekend again, but coming here as a fan with my family, is the next best thing and hopefully we can go home happy.”

Sharp scored 129 times for Sheffield United and is no stranger to promotion having achieved it six times in his career, three of them coming with the Blades.

The forward is another one who has never tasted success in the play-offs and says losing at the final hurdle is one of the worst feelings you can experience as a footballer.

He added: “I was here when we lost 1-0 to Burnley, I lost in the semi-finals against Nottingham Forest, unfortunately. I was injured in them too but it’s never nice losing games of football, but especially at the magnitude of what the play-offs brings.

“I was lucky enough to play in an FA Cup semi-final. Sheffield United against City and underdogs and lost 3-0, but it was some day.

“As a player, if you lose at Wembley, it’s the worst feeling in the world, but I’ve never been on the winning side of it, so I can imagine that it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Published: 24/05/2025 by Radio NewsHub