Blades can announce the signing of Billy Sharp on a two year deal after undisclosed fee agreed with Leeds United #twitterblades
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) July 25, 2015
With the above Tweet, Sheffield United brought to an end the conjectured ‘is he/isn’t he’ status surrounding Billy Sharp’s ‘worst kept secret’ transfer. In signing Billy Sharp from Leeds United, on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, Sheffield United will have a proven goalscorer at League One level. The Blades manager, Neil Adkins, said (after capturing Sharp and Conor Salmon on a season-long loan deal),
“Delighted to get both players over the line and I’m looking forward to working with them .Billy is someone I know well.” Neil Adkins, The Star, July 25, 2015
However, the views of the manager aside, it’s often the views of the fans that is important in transfers like this; the outpouring of joy from the fans gaining the player tempering the grief of the team losing him. However, with boyhood Blade Sharp returning to his footballing roots, how has it been received regarding both Leeds and Sheffield United fans?
Sharp saga finally cut – Twitter reacts
Blades slice through transfer tape
Sharp & Sammon signing this evening, are the best two signings I've seen for a while at the Club. #Sufc #twitterblades @billysharp10
— Matt Gregory (@Matt_Gregory97) July 25, 2015
Really hope Adkins can get the best out of Billy Sharp. No room for sentiment if we're serious about promotion. #twitterblades #SUFC
— Tyrone James (@tyronej1984) July 25, 2015
Billy is home 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ #sufc #twitterblades #wegotbillysharp https://t.co/154gsUAb03
— Phil Moore (@phildmoore) July 25, 2015
Welcome home @billysharp10! Looking forward to seeing you knock them in this season! #twitterblades
— Dave (@D1984L) July 25, 2015
Take a moment. Step back. And look at what a league 1 team has done today. Stunning! #sufc #twitterblades #PROUD @JamesDPhipps @billysharp10
— Lee Barber (@ItsLeeBarber) July 25, 2015
Understandably, Sheffield United fans are ecstatic at the signing of Billy Sharp – many of them seeing it as something of a coup bringing the self-confessed ‘Fat Lad from Sheffield’ back to his own terra madre – the place where he belongs. There is no disguising the genuine joy that has exploded on Twitter – if you don’t believe me then check out the hashtag #twitterblades. Now that’s the views of fans from the South Yorkshire team, what about the fans from the West Yorkshire side of the divide?
Sharp departs, Leeds fans react.
@billysharp10 ooo billy billy billy billy bill billy BILLY SHARP ooo billy billy billy billy bill billy BILLYSHARP farewell our #lufc friend
— dean (@thedog1989) July 25, 2015
Gutted about Sharp. All the best @billysharp10 #lufc
— Neil 🏆 (@GoneBerardi) July 25, 2015
Leeds United and Billy Sharp is proof that sometimes love just isn't enough. #lufc 💔
— Katie (@ktjwads) July 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/JackOrange_/status/625051584691617792
Billy Sharp was ok at Leeds, but just ok, did score some good goals but wasn't as prolific as hoped, still, all the best to him #lufc
— Tom Carnduff (@TomC_22) July 25, 2015
Twitter seems pretty unequivocal in a general outpouring of love from the White side of Yorkshire. There are many Leeds fans who simply think that Billy Sharp either didn’t get enough chances at Elland Road or just didn’t fit the schemes and plans of the recent managers/head coaches at Leeds. However, the massive majority wish him well as he swaps a Road for the Lane – myself included.
Featured image credit – Match of the Day (Twitter)