Billy can be a hero.. at Wembley
SHEFFIELD UNITED striker Billy Sharp has some miserable memories of Wembley – but at 34, he still harbours hopes that his fortunes are about to change.
Sharp, Sheffield-born and Blades-bred, has only set foot in the national stadium as a fan.
An FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of bitter Steel City rivals Wednesday in 1993 was bad. So was a last-gasp Championship play-off loss to Crystal Palace four years later.
And even when he went to cheer on Hull in the 2014 FA Cup final, he saw Steve Bruce’s underdogs squander a 2-0 lead to lose to Arsenal in extra-time.
Sharp, in his third spell at the club that kickstarted his career, said: “Whenever Sheffield
Arsenal have won just one of their last eight away matches against Sheffield United in all competitions (D4 L3), a 3-0 win in October 2007 in the League Cup.
United have got to Wembley I have tried to be there. The worst one – and I still don’t like talking about it – was against Wednesday when Chris Waddle scored after about 36 seconds or something.
“It was a horrible day to be a fan, up there with Crystal Palace in the playoffs. We lost that 1-0. I still don’t know how David Hopkins’ goal went in.
“This is the furthest I have been in the cup as a player although I went to shout for Hull against Arsenal – and they lost as well!”
Sharp is hoping to spearhead Chris Wilder’s attack against the Gunners today. He said: “This is a big chance for us. We’ve shown we can beat Arsenal at Bramall Lane already this season. I’m 34 now and these chances don’t come around very often.”