2015–16 Sheffield United F.C. season
| 2015–16 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | David Green | ||
| Manager | Nigel Adkins | ||
| Stadium | Bramall Lane | ||
| League One | 11th | ||
| FA Cup | Third round (eliminated by Manchester United) | ||
| League Cup | Second round (eliminated by Fulham) | ||
| FL Trophy | Northern Area quarter-finals (eliminated by Fleetwood Town) | ||
| | |||
The 2015–16 season was Sheffield United's 127th season in their history and their fifth consecutive season in League One. Along with League One, the club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup and Football League Trophy. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
Season overview
[edit]Pre-season
[edit]Following another failed play-off campaign, manager Nigel Clough was sacked with the club board stating "A change in direction was necessary for the forthcoming season."[1] After having an enquiry about Bradford City's Phil Parkinson to succeed Clough,[2] on 2 June Nigel Adkins was installed as Sheffield United's new manager.[3] On 13 July, Diego De Girolamo signed a new two-year contract with the Blades, having initially rejecting a new offer.[4] The following day, United announced the signing of Martyn Woolford on a free-transfer with him committing to Bramall Lane on a two-year deal.[5]
Transfers
[edit]Transfers in
[edit]| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 July 2015 | LW |  | Martyn Woolford | Millwall | Free transfer | [5] |
| 25 July 2015 | CF | | Billy Sharp | Leeds United | Undisclosed | [6] |
| 26 August 2015 | DF | | Jake Phillips |  Llandudno | [7] |
Transfers out
[edit]| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2015 | CB | | Sam Berry | Alfreton Town [a] | Free transfer | [9] |
| 1 July 2015 | CM | | Ben Davies | Portsmouth [b] | Free transfer | [9] |
| 1 July 2015 | CM |  | Michael Doyle | Portsmouth [c] | Free transfer | [9] |
| 1 July 2015 | MF | | Jason Paling | Alfreton Town | Free transfer | [9][12] |
| 1 July 2015 | MF | | Kyle Scarisbrick | Free Agent | Released | [9] |
| 1 July 2015 | GK |  | Iain Turner | Tranmere Rovers [d] | Released | [9] |
| 14 August 2015 | CF | | Jamie Murphy | Brighton & Hove Albion | £1,500,000 | [14][15] |
| 11 March 2016 | CB | | Neill Collins |  Tampa Bay Rowdies | Released | [16] |
Total income: 
£1,500,000
Loans in
[edit]| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 July 2015 | CF | | Conor Sammon | Derby County | End of season | [6] |
| 10 August 2015 | CB |  | David Edgar | Birmingham City | End of season | [17] |
Loans out
[edit]| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 August 2015 | AM | | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Northampton Town | January 2016 | [18] |
| 29 August 2015 | AM | | David Brooks | FC Halifax Town | 27 September 2015 | [19] |
| 29 August 2015 | RW | | CJ Hamilton | FC Halifax Town | 27 September 2015 | [19] |
| 3 September 2015 | GK | | George Willis | Matlock Town | 3 October 2015 | [20] |
| 11 September 2015 | DF | | Julian Banton | FC Halifax Town | 10 October 2015 | [21] |
| 23 September 2015 | CF | | Michael Higdon | Oldham Athletic | 19 December 2015 | [22] |
Contracts
[edit]New contracts and contract extensions.
| Player | Date | Length | Contracted until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Diego De Girolamo | 13 July 2015 | 2 Year | Summer 2017 | [4] |
 Kler Heh | July 2015 | ? | ? | [23] |
| Louis Reed | 24 July 2015 | 3 Year | Summer 2018 | [24] |
| Che Adams | 25 August 2015 | 3 Year | Summer 2018 | [25] |
Competitions
[edit]Pre-season friendlies
[edit]On 4 June 2015, Sheffield United announce they will play Newcastle United for Chris Morgan's testimonial.[26] On 9 June 2015, a confirmed list of the club's pre-season schedule was released.[27]
| 18 July 2015 Friendly | Ilkeston | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Ilkeston |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Calvert-Lewin  85' | Stadium: New Manor Ground Attendance: 1,278 |
| 21 July 2015 Friendly | Cheltenham Town | 1–3 | Sheffield United | Cheltenham |
| 19:45 BST | Morgan-Smith 45' | Report | Adams 13' Higdon 89'Baxter 90' | Stadium: Whaddon Road Attendance: 1,247 (236 Blades fans) |
| 23 July 2015 Friendly | Exeter City | 1–2 | Sheffield United | Exeter |
| 19:30 BST | Nichols 56' | Report | Collins 15' Adams 79' | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,122 (192 Blades fans) |
| 26 July 2015 Chris Morgan Testimonial | Sheffield United | 2–2 | Newcastle United | Sheffield |
| 13:00 BST | McNulty 47' Freeman 87' | Report | Wijnaldum 45' de Jong 78' | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 29 July 2015 Friendly | Macclesfield Town | 0–4 | Sheffield United | Macclesfield |
| 19:30 BST | Report | Diagne 11' (o.g.) Sharp 13'Adams 61', 89' | Stadium: Moss Rose Attendance: 999 (551 Blades) |
| 2 August 2015 Friendly | Sheffield United | 1–1 | Hull City | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Murphy 44' | Report | Hernández 78' | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
League One
[edit]League table
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Gillingham | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 71 | 56 | +15 | 69 |
| 10 | Rochdale | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 68 | 61 | +7 | 69 |
| 11 | Sheffield United | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 64 | 59 | +5 | 66 |
| 12 | Port Vale | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 56 | 58 | −2 | 65 |
| 13 | Peterborough United | 46 | 19 | 6 | 21 | 82 | 73 | +9 | 63 |
Updated to match(es) played on 1 July 2016. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results by matchday
[edit]Updated to match(es) played on 13 May 2016. Source: Statto.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches
[edit]| 8 August 2015 1 | Gillingham | 4–0 | Sheffield United | Gillingham |
| 15:00 BST | Norris 8' Oshilaja 43'Egan 82'Dack 90' | Report | Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 7,511 Referee: Lee Collins |
| 15 August 2015 2 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Chesterfield | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Adams 3', 46' | Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 23,031 Referee: Kevin Wright |
| 18 August 2015 3 | Peterborough United | 1–3 | Sheffield United | Peterborough |
| 19:30 BST | Coulibaly 59' | Report | Sammon 15', 72' Baxter 85' | Stadium: London Road Attendance: 6,526 Referee: Nigel Miller |
| 22 August 2015 4 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Blackpool | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Sharp 60' McNulty 72' | Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 5,224 Referee: Darren Dreadman |
| 29 August 2015 5 | Swindon Town | 0–2 | Sheffield United | Swindon |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Collins 70' Sharp 75' | Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 8,614 Referee: Chris Sarginson |
| 12 September 2015 6 | Sheffield United | 1–3 | Bury | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Sharp 72' (pen.) | Report | Pope 61' Riley 83'L. Clarke 90' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 20,708 Referee: David Webb |
| 15 September 2015 7 | Sheffield United | 2–3 | Colchester United | Sheffield |
| 19:45 BST | Sharp 51' (pen.) Woolford 61' | Report | Moncur 6', 23' Sordell 82'Elokobi  86' | Stadium: Brammall Lane Attendance: 17,623 Referee: Darren Handley |
| 20 September 2015 8 | Bradford City | 2–2 | Sheffield United | Bradford |
| 12:00 BST | Meredith 33' Cole 47' | Report | Meredith 65' (o.g.) Sharp 70' | Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 19,317 Referee: Neil Swarbrick |
| 26 September 2015 9 | Sheffield United | 3–1 | Doncaster Rovers | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Basham 17' Sammon 35'Sharp 79' | Report | Stewart 25' MacKenzie 38' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 20,869 Referee: Mark Heywood |
| 29 September 2015 10 | Burton Albion | 0–0 | Sheffield United | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 5,029 Referee: Chris Kavanagh |
| 3 October 2015 11 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Sheffield United | Burslem |
| 15:00 | Moore 17' Ikpeazu 45' | Report | Done 90+5' | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 6,822 Referee: Graham Salisbury |
| 10 October 2015 12 | Sheffield United | 3–2 | Rochdale | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Adams 29', 40' Collins 74' | Report | Vincenti 37' (pen.) Alessandra 72' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 19,039 Referee: Oliver Langford |
| 17 October 2015 13 | Oldham Athletic | 1–1 | Sheffield United | Oldham |
| 15:00 BST | Philliskirk 10' Burn 62' | Report | Done 30' | Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 5,743 Referee: Kevin Wright |
| 20 October 2015 14 | Sheffield United | 3–0 | Fleetwood | Sheffield |
| 19:45 BST | Adams 1', 64' Sharp 72' | Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 17,879 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 24 October 2015 15 | Sheffield United | 1–2 | Millwall | Sheffield |
| 12:15 BST | Baxter 70' | Report | O'Brien 30' O'Brien 80' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 19,617 Referee: Andy Haines |
| 31 October 2015 16 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–0 | Sheffield United | Crewe |
| 15:00 GMT | Colclough 71' | Report | Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 5,227 Referee: Fred Graham |
| 14 November 2015 17 | Sheffield United | 2–2 | Southend | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Baxter 36' Collins 45' | Report | Leonard 29' Payne 31' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 19,007 Referee: Scott Duncan |
| 21 November 2015 18 | Walsall | 1–1 | Sheffield United | Bescot |
| 15:00 GMT | Bradshaw 51' | Report | Baxter 66' | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,780 Referee: Geoff Eltringham |
| 24 November 2015 19 | Sheffield United | 2–4 | Shrewsbury | Sheffield |
| 19:45 GMT | Sammon 17' Hammond 65' | Report | Kaikai 25' Black 26'Vernon 35'Collins 48' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 17,843 Referee: Richard Clark |
| 28 November 2015 20 | Barnsley | 1–1 | Sheffield United | Barnsley |
| 12:15 GMT | Hourihane 90+5' | Report | Basham 14' | Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 13,571 Referee: Neil Swarbrick |
| 13 December 2015 21 | Sheffield United | 1–0 | Coventry City | Sheffield |
| 12:00 GMT | Sharp 79' | Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 18,074 Referee: Iain Williamson |
| 19 December 2015 22 | Scunthorpe United | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Scunthorpe |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Sharp 50' | Stadium: Glanford Park Attendance: 5,150 Referee: Andy Haines |
| 26 December 2015 Postponed | Wigan Athletic | P–P | Sheffield United | Wigan |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: DW Stadium |
| 28 December 2015 23 | Sheffield United | 3–1 | Bradford City | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Sharp 11' McEveley  21'Sammon 59'Edgar 63'Basham 81'Long 90+3' | Report | Liddle 83' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 24,777 Referee: Mark Haywood |
| 2 January 2016 24 | Sheffield United | 2–3 | Peterborough United | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Sharp 32' (pen.) McEveley 51'Hammond 67'Baldwin 84' (o.g.) | Report | Washington 18' Ricardo 38'Fox 41'Oztumer 48'Samuelsen 84' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 22,302 Referee: Darren Bond |
| 12 January 2016 25 | Wigan Athletic | 3–3 | Sheffield United | Wigan |
| 19:45 GMT | Grigg 16' Perkins 30'Daniels 40'Vučkić 43'McCann 66'Power 87' | Report | Hammond 36' Collins 47'Sharp 59' 75'Done 68' 89' | Stadium: DW Stadium Attendance: 10,113 Referee: Andy Woolmer |
| 16 January 2016 26 | Colchester United | 1–2 | Sheffield United | Colchester |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium |
| 23 January 2016 27 | Sheffield United | 1–1 | Swindon Town | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 26 January 2016 28 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Sheffield United | Blackpool |
| 19:45 GMT | Stadium: Bloomfield Road |
| 6 February 2016 29 | Sheffield United | 0–2 | Wigan Athletic | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 13 February 2016 30 | Doncaster Rovers | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Doncaster |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium |
| 20 February 2016 32 | Sheffield United | 1–0 | Port Vale | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 27 February 2016 33 | Rochdale | 2–0 | Sheffield United | Rochdale |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Spotland Stadium |
| 1 March 2016 34 | Sheffield United | 0–1 | Burton Albion | Sheffield |
| 19:45 GMT | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 5 March 2016 35 | Fleetwood Town | 2–2 | Sheffield United | Fleetwood |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Highbury Stadium |
| 12 March 2016 36 | Sheffield United | 3–0 | Oldham Athletic | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 19 March 2016 37 | Millwall | 1–0 | Sheffield United | Bermondsey |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: The Den |
| 25 March 2016 38 | Sheffield United | 3–2 | Crewe Alexandra | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 30 March 2016 39 | Southend United | 3–1 | Sheffield United | Southend-on-Sea |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Roots Hall |
| 2 April 2016 40 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Walsall | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 9 April 2016 41 | Sheffield United | 0–0 | Gillingham | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 16 April 2016 42 | Chesterfield | 0–3 | Sheffield United | Chesterfield |
| 13:00 BST | Stadium: Proact Stadium |
| 19 April 2016 43 | Shrewsbury Town | 1–2 | Sheffield United | Shrewsbury |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: New Meadow |
| 23 April 2016 44 | Sheffield United | 0–0 | Barnsley | Sheffield |
| 12:30 BST | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
| 30 April 2016 45 | Coventry City | 3–1 | Sheffield United | Coventry |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Ricoh Arena |
| 8 May 2016 46 | Sheffield United | 0–2 | Scunthorpe United | Sheffield |
| 12:30 BST | Stadium: Bramall Lane |
FA Cup
[edit]| 7 November 2015 First Round Proper | Sheffield United | 3–0 | Worcester City | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Baxter 19' (pen) Sammon 81'Freeman 90+1' | Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 11,108 Referee: Simon Bennett |
| 5 December 2015 Second Round Proper | Sheffield United | 1–0 | Oldham Athletic | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Done 47' Adams 67' | Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 6,938 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 9 January 2016 Third Round Proper | Manchester United | 1–0 | Sheffield United | Manchester |
| 17:30 GMT | Rooney 90+3' (pen.) | Report | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 74,284 Referee: Jonathan Moss |
League Cup
[edit]On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Sheffield United were drawn away against Morecambe.[28] In the second round, the Blades were drawn away to Fulham.[29]
| 11 August 2015 First round | Morecambe | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Morecambe |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Collins 90' | Stadium: Globe Arena Attendance: 2,168 Referee: Steve Martin |
| 25 August 2015 Second round | Fulham | 3–0 | Sheffield United | Fulham |
| 19:45 BST | McCormack 62' (pen.), 75' Dembélé 90' | Report | Baxter 88' Wallace 90' | Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 5,927 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
Football League Trophy
[edit]On 8 August 2015, live on Soccer AM the draw for the first round of the Football League Trophy was drawn by Toni Duggan and Alex Scott.[30] In the second round draw, made on 5 September 2015, the Blades were drawn at home to Notts County.[31]
| 1 September 2015 First Round (Northern Area) | Hartlepool United | 1–1 (3–4 p) | Sheffield United | Hartlepool |
| 19:00 BST | Fenwick 51' | Report | Flynn 7' | Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 2,221 Referee: Scott Duncan |
| Penalties | ||||
Bingham  Oates Harrison  Fenwick Featherstone | Higdon Sharp McNulty Woolford McEveley | |||
| 6 October 2015 Second Round (Northern Area) | Sheffield United | 5–1 | Notts County | Bramall Lane, Sheffield |
| 19:45 BST | Baxter 20' (pen.), 36' (pen.) Done 23'Scougall 67'Adams 74' (pen.) | Report | Stead 62' | Attendance: 5,497 Referee: Carl Boyeson |
| 10 November 2015 Quarter Finals (Northern Area) | Fleetwood Town | 0–0 (4–1 p) | Sheffield United | Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Attendance: 1,587 Referee: Christopher Kavanagh | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Grant Ball Ryan Haughton | Baxter Sharp McEveley | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "Nigel Clough: Sheffield United sack manager". BBC Sport. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ "Phil Parkinson: Bradford City reject Sheffield United approach for boss". BBC Sport. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ "Nigel Adkins: Sheffield United appoint ex-Southampton boss". BBC Sport. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Diego De Girolamo: Sheffield United forward signs two-year deal". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Martyn Woolford: Sheffield United sign ex-Millwall midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Double swoop". Sheffield United FC. 25 July 2015.
- ^ "FOOTBALL: MBi Llandudno full-back Jake Phillips seals Sheffield United move". North Wales Pioneer. 26 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ^ "Alfreton Town sign Sam Berry on one-year deal". Yorkshire Evening Post. 23 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f "Senior trio leave the Lane". Sheffield United FC. 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Ben Davies: Portsmouth sign versatile ex-Sheffield United player". BBC Sport. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ "Michael Doyle: Portsmouth sign ex-Sheffield United midfielder". BBC Sport. 6 July 2015.
- ^ "Alfreton Town: Former Sheffield United youngster joins Reds". Derby Telegraph. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
- ^ "Tranmere Rovers sign former Everton FC goalkeeper Iain Turner". Liverpool Echo. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Murphy moves on". Sheffield United FC. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ "Albion bring in winger on four-year deal". The Argus. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ "Neill heads Stateside". SUFC.co.uk. 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Boss bolsters defensive options". Sheffield United FC. 10 August 2015. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ "Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Sheffield United striker joins Northampton". BBC Sport. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
- ^ a b "U21 duo head to Halifax". Sheffield United FC. 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ "Keeper out on loan". Sheffield United FC. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ "Banton joins Halifax". Sheffield United FC Official Website. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ^ "Striker heads out on-loan". Sheffield United FC. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ "Sheffield United award former Thai refugee with first professional contract". The Guardian. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Louis Reed: Sheffield United midfielder signs new deal". BBC Sport. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ "Che Adams: Sheffield United striker signs new contract". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Toon provide Morgan's Testimonial opposition". Sheffield United FC. 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Pre-season fixtures confirmed". Sheffield United FC. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw". Capital One Cup. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
- ^ "Capital One Cup round 2 draw". Capital One Cup. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "Away tie in JPT". Sheffield United FC. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- ^ "Johnstone's Paint Trophy Second Round Draw". The Football League. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.