Sheffield United have won promotion to the Championship following their 2-1 victory over Northampton Town.
In their six season in League One, the opportunity to reach the second-tier was in the hands of Chris Wilder and his team as they travelled to Sixfields Stadium this weekend. After a poor opener to the season, the Blades have been in red-hot form this term and looked certain to win promotion with just five games left to play.
Despite being unbeaten in twelve, many of the Bramall Lane faithful were nervous in the build-up to the clash. In addition, captain and League One top goalscorer Billy Sharp was dropped to the bench for the first time in a league match this season. But this team is special.
No nerves. It will happen. Maybe not today but it will happen. Time to have fun #sufc #twitterblades
— A Blade (@justacword) April 8, 2017
Come on the Blades 🔴⚪️⚔️⚔️
— Caolan Lavery (@clavery13) April 8, 2017
Tomorrow it all ends…the Blades are going up x #sufc pic.twitter.com/7SVwuuJr1M
— kieran 🏴 (@kieran1889) April 7, 2017
The afternoon started well, with Oldham Athletic taking the lead against third-placed Fleetwood Town. A loss for Uwe Rosler’s side would mean the Cobblers could defeat Sheffield United and the visitors would still be promoted.
FLEETWOOD LOSING
— Paddys (@PaddysMad) April 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/georgeyhowson95/status/850717488069439488
However, the league-leader’s fixture did not go to plan, and the home side took the lead just before the half-time interval.
45+1' GOAL: Richards puts the home side infront #twitterblades
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 8, 2017
Chris Wilder made a number of changes in the second-half against his former club and, just as Oldham doubled their lead, Leon Clarke fired Sheffield United level at Sixfields and sent the travelling fans into jubilation. The striker’s goal meant Fleetwood would have to score three times to prevent the Blades from being promoted.
61' GOOAALLL!!!! Clarke equalises for the Blades 1-1 #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/mraITGq9Q1
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 8, 2017
Goal!!!! #twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/Zc1UplUc73
— Colin Williams (@Colin_CWilliams) April 8, 2017
📸 Clarke celebrates following his equaliser 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/9UuYk6iB2h
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 8, 2017
#sufc fans on the pitch after Leon Clarke's equaliser #twitterblades #ntfc pic.twitter.com/CFzpEgibXn
— Danny Hall (@dannyhall04) April 8, 2017
With two minutes of normal time remaining, a dangerous cross into the penally area saw Scottish midfielder John Fleck find the back of the net and secure Sheffield United’s promotion to the Championship.
YEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!! FLECK!!!!! THEM BLADES ARE DEFINITELY GOING UP NOW!!! #twitterblades!!!
— The Blades! (@sufc) April 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/ebankslandell/status/850760451529035777
What a noise! 🔴⚪️⚫️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/4XtSYgFJWC
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 8, 2017
The men from S2 had waited six seasons for the moment, and it couldn’t have tasted any sweeter. Both home and away fans joined forces to sing praises of managerial maestro Chris Wilder. Sheffield United fans invaded the pitch in Northampton, as well as the one back home at Bramall Lane by the thousands watching on the beam back.
The South Yorkshire club will return to the Championship for the 2017/18 campaign.
BREAKING: @SUFC_tweets promoted to @SkyBetChamp. #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 8, 2017
Congratulations to @SUFC_tweets on promotion but most importantly to the long suffering fans. Some of the most loyal in football 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏆🔴⚪
— Neill Collins (@neillycollins3) April 8, 2017
BLAAAAAAAADES🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴⚪️
— Louis Reed (@louissreed) April 8, 2017
How many sugars? ☕️
Welcome back, @SUFC_tweets. 👏 https://t.co/Za3I1Jkesu
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) April 8, 2017
Only a Sheffield united will understand what today means …….. I have no words . I'm 34 years old and in tears #sufc
— Craig Smith (@craigsablade30) April 8, 2017
Wilder singing "Shoreham boys we are here!" with the fans. Love it. One of our own. #SUFC pic.twitter.com/fSYEnvAGhP
— Tyrone James (@tyronej1984) April 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/officiallydeej/status/850758228208226305
We're all blades arnt we Babi
— Kell Brook (@SpecialKBrook) April 8, 2017
dreams do come true 🔴⚪️⚫️⚔️⚽🔥⬆️#utb pic.twitter.com/LFY25u09Ux
— billy sharp (@billysharp10) April 8, 2017