Alan Kelly- App 214 Goals 0
Son of Preston legend Alan Kelly was a fixture in the Blades team of the late 90s and provided the United with the â??best goalkeeper outside the Premiership’ for this period. At a time when United were blessed with two top class goalkeepers in the form of Kelly and Simon Tracey, Kelly was by all means first choice. Although at United in a relatively unsuccessful period, Blades fans will find it hard to recall a mistake made or ball dropped. His finest hour in a Blades shirt came in the FA Cup quarter final against Coventry, where after pulling off a string of remarkable saves in the first leg he became the hero in a penalty shoot in the return tie at Bramall lane. He won 24 caps and appeared in two world cup squads for the Republic of Ireland.
Len Badger-App 457 Goals 7
Local lad Len Badger was a prominent member in the Blades sides of the 70s. After his debut in 1963 the majority of Badger’s Blades career was spent in the top flight, and some of United’s most successful season between 1969 and 1973 were under his captaincy. A modern day full back Badger was equally adept attacking as he was defending. He often contributed to Blades’ attacks and would crop up with the odd goal. As one of the best full backs of his day he was capped a number of times at under 23 level but was unlucky to never receive full England honours. He left the Blades for a short spell with Chesterfield in 1976 but will always be affectionately remembered by older Blades fans.
Phil Jagielka- App 254 Goals 18
â??Jags’ is probably the closest thing the Blades have to a modern day legend. He could play anywhere and he did. Although primarily a centre half, he played games at full back, in midfield and had the odd appearance in goal. 2002-2003 was his breakthrough year and he was a regular in the year of cup runs and league success. His solid performances at the back and the odd goal (notably the last minute 30 yard strike against Leeds in the Cup) had many Premier League clubs sniffing. However, Jagielka was very loyal and stayed at the Lane. This was vindicated as United were finally promoted in 2005 and Jagielka was by far and away the player of the season. After controversial relegation Unitedites were not surprised or begrudging when Jags decided moved on to Everton for 4 million. Since then Jags has become one of the Premier League’s leading defenders and has received 9 England caps.
Joe Shaw- App 632 Goals 7
Sheffield United’s all time leading appearance record holder Joe Shaw is very much Mr. Sheffield United. A Sheffield boy his initial appearances for the Blades were at full back but when Reg Freeman converted him into a centre half that’s when his notoriety grew. His lack of height was made up for by an impressive skill in reading the game and his ability to anticipate and deal with potential problems made him recognised nationally as a top defender. Nevertheless Shaw was extremely unfortunate in that he never received an England cap even as one of the great defenders of his generation. Shaw died in 2007 aged 79 but his status at the club has been immortalised in a statue outside Bramall Lane.
Graham Shaw- App 439 Goals 14
Joe’s namesake Graham completes the United back four which is comprised solely of players that have all started their careers at the Lane. Graham Shaw was another one to come out of United’s â??Golden Age’ of defenders during the 50s and 60s. Like Badger he was very much a modern day footballer set against his expertise in defending and ferocity in tackling he could play and his distribution was faultless. He made his debut in a Steel City Derby at Hillsborough in 1951 which United won 3-1. His status as a leading full back at the time is underlined in the England caps he won during his career. Shaw died in 1998 at the age of 64.
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