Oxford
face a trip to Sheffield this weekend for an FA Cup fixture against
Sheffield United and it's a match that will have particular
significance to Chris Wilder, Blades fan and former player. In light
of this, Ian Rands, Sheffield United supporter and creator of A
United View on Football, gives us his insight on Wilder the
footballer from his time at Bramall Lane.
Chris
Wilder will always be looked on positively by Blades fans, despite
his injury hit time with United. After all, Blades fans always react
positively to one of their own. A Blades supporter as a child, he had
also been a ball boy at Bramall Lane, so it was a dream come true
when he joined the Blades in August 1986. Released by Southampton,
just before his nineteenth birthday, it was newly signed Saint Gerry
Forrest who gave United boss (and former Rotherham team-mate) Billy
McEwan the nudge to look at Wilder.
He
was best described as a footballing right back, comfortable in
possession, but no less tenacious in the tackle. He had good pace and
demonstrated a willingness to attack. Given his age when he joined it
took a few months to establish himself in the side. The more
experienced Andy Barnsley was his main competitor for the right back
slot, although I do recall Wilder filling in at left back as well
during his time at United.
After
United were relegated to the Third Division in the 1987-88 season,
Wilder started to play a more regular role. After bouncing back to
the Second Division at the first attempt things looked promising for
Wilder, but a stress fracture ruled him out of much of the season
which culminated in the Blades returning to the top flight after 14
years. He returned to the starting eleven for a game in January and
then in mid March, for 3 games, before a 5-0 defeat at promotion
rivals West Ham saw Stuart Slater run riot. Northern Ireland
international Colin Hill was immediately re-instated at right back
for the following game at home to Barnsley.
As
injuries hit the squad hard, he returned for the final 3 games and
just in time to play in the promotion clinching finale at Filbert
Street. With club captain Paul Stancliffe injured and Colin Hill
filling in at centre back, it was an opportunity to savour. A 5-2
victory in front of 8,000 or more ecstatic Blades fans and the League
title missed on goal difference.
In
the souvenir brochure the club produced to celebrate promotion
Wilder's frustrations were clear:
"Although I was disappointed to be out of the team for most of the season, I was thrilled to bits to be in there for the final showdown. I know I had a bit of a nightmare at West Ham, but, other than that, I was well pleased with my performances. I don't think I let anyone down. After all, I was only on the losing side once."
Despite
his involvement at the close of the promotion season, Dave Bassett
clearly had doubts about Wilder's ability to perform at the top
level. The signing of John Pemberton from Palace, primarily a right
back, alongside the retention of Hill, limited Wilder's
opportunities. He went on loan to Charlton in the October, but still
found himself making appearances for United on his return. This was
something that was going to continue over the next couple of seasons,
with further loans back at Charlton and also at Leyton Orient and
Rotherham, whom he signed for permanently in the summer of 1992.
Wilder
can perhaps be judged unlucky that United had a relative
embarrassment of riches at right back during his time at the club,
with Kevin Gage joining alongside Pemberton and Hill. Certainly that
injury really disrupted his early career and without it he might well
have established himself properly in the right back position.
It
was a major surprise when Wilder arrived back at the club in 1997.
Nigel Spackman's shock resignation as manager and financial turmoil
saw former player Steve Thompson take on a caretaker role, eventually
staying on to the end of a season which saw United reach both the
Play Off semi finals and the FA Cup semi final. At a time when
finances had been stretched, Wilder was one of three deadline day
signings for £150,000 from Bradford City. Thompson recognising the
role his former United team-mate could lay in a busy run-in, as back
up to attacking wing back Vas Borbokis. Despite playing the two
league games prior to the semi final defeat to Newcastle, Wilder lost
his place for Old Trafford and only played one game of the two-legged
play off semi versus Sunderland.
Whilst
Thomson recognised the need for Wilder in his squad, his successor in
the Summer, Steve Bruce, made little use of Wilder and he eventually
left in the Summer of 1999. I think Wilder has since admitted that he
didn't make the best of his time with United, but that has done
little to knock Unitedites' opinion of him.
There
are many Blades fans following the progress of Wilder's managerial
career and thus Oxford with great interest. A successful Oxford means
the local lad and fan might return in a managerial capacity for a
third spell at Bramall Lane. Whilst some are a little nervous about
managers who have club connections, many would welcome him. His name
has been mentioned frequently over the last 15 months, with each
managerial change at Bramall Lane. Whilst he would have been
considered an outsider 12 months ago, the departure of Micky Adams
saw him heavily in the frame. However, you would think his lack of
experience above League Two probably went against him.
Personally,
I would be more than happy to see Oxford and Wilder gain promotion
this season, but I hope if that was the case that we wouldn't be
playing you next season. Not playing Oxford would mean we have had a
promotion as well and Danny Wilson will still be in a job. Your
manager would be safe from the Blades' clutches............for a
little while longer.
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Ian
Rands (@unitedite)
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