WILDER’S HOUSING BENEFIT
‘I worked on a building site when I finished playing and realised it wasn’t for me. I still drive past the place I built... and the roof’s still on!’
EVERY time Chris Wilder drives past Meadowhall on the outskirts of Sheffield he can’t help picking out one particular house that links his past to his present.
Almost 20 years ago, as he struggled with life after playing football, Wilder spent three days putting a roof on, as he laboured on a building site.
“It’s a permanent reminder of what my life could have been like after finishing playing,” said the Sheffield United boss.
“That’s why every day I’m just so grateful I’m still earning a living out of football at 52.
“It’s all I’ve ever known, apart from those three days on a site in Sheffield.
“I’d finished my playing career at Halifax through injury and came out of the game at 33 not knowing what the future held.
“I got a job on a building site and I was carrying roof trusses up a ladder at Meadowhall.
“It was in January and it was freezing cold. I was wearing gloves and the other guys on site were looking at me and I knew what they were thinking.
“I just thought, ‘ This isn’t for me’. Football is all I’ve ever known.
“I still drive past that house regularly and I always look for it. I can’t believe the roof is still on, to be honest!”
Just how far Wilder has come from those uncertain days will be clear today as Manchester r United arrive at Bramhall ramhall Lane... sitting g below the Blades in the Premier League table.
But Wilder’s er’s fans aren’t confined ned to the Steel City – with Harry Ha r r y Redknapp (right) even suggesting the Blades boss should have been in the frame for Tottenham before they appointed Jose Mourinho.
That makes Wilder chuckle – but he appreciates the support from men such as England manager Gareth Southgate, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce and Redknapp, as the no-nonsense Yorkshireman flies the flag for home grown managers.
“For For me a and for the players, it’s bee been a great start to the seas season and the exposure th that this league gets g globally is like no o other division in f football,” he said.
“So when you are d doing OK and s surprising people w winning a few games, y you get the limelight – but it’s just important to keep your feet on the ground.
“That’s always been my way of working and nothing will change. I just keep my head down and
11/1 Marcus Rashford to score 2 or more
always have done. Wherever the pathway takes you, it will happen.
“I don’t look too far ahead of myself and neither do my players and staff.”
That attitude has helped the Blades ruffle some big feathers already – but even if Manchester United’s plume is not in its finest shape ever,
Wilder remains wary of today’s visitors.
“We are in good nick, good form, but we know we have to play well and respect United. We won’t be awestruck, but my lads won’t agree that we are favourites either.
“It’s still Manchester United, whether or not they are in transition and have injuries. Against Liverpool recently, we didn’t want to be standing back admiring their players because we believe we’re a good team and the opposition have to play well to beat us.
“Liverpool and Leicester both beat us, but, when I was having a beer afterwards with their managers, they knew we’d made them work for it.
“If Ole and his United team play well and get a result I want to make sure they’ve had to work hard for it. That’s our thought process on everything.”
Wilder will seek out Ferguson after the game and perhaps share a glass with him.
“I know Alex and Sir Bobby Charlton are coming over and I’ll try to get a word with Alex if I can.
“He doesn’t like losing and neither do I – so we’ll see!”