Billy Sharp
Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp, 34, is the leading goalscorer in English league football this century. Born in the city, Sharp has played for several clubs, including Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers, scoring more than 240 goals in over 500 appearances in all competitions.
What is your first Yorkshire memory? I’m originally from the Pitsmoor area of Sheffield and I think I’d be five or six when I got my first Sheffield United kit. I’d play football in the streets or in the garden. Growing up as a kid, my hero was Brian Deane, the United striker. I wanted to be like him. I dreamt of becoming a professional footballer and then to do it and captain Sheffield United is beyond my wildest dreams.
What is your favourite part of the county and why? I’m going to say Sheffield because I’m proud to come from the city. I now live in Dore and it gives me a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle. What’s really nice is being able to see the views of Sheffield and filling your lungs with lots of fresh air.
What is your favourite walk or view? When we aren’t in lockdown my kids like a place called Surprise View, which is just before Hathersage. We like to walk up to Lion King Rock and once we’ve climbed to the top we have a photo and walk back down. It’s only five minutes away in the car and it’s really peaceful. As for my favourite views, I would say what we see on our walks in the Peak District. We are on the edge of it and in only a short time you can be in the middle of nowhere.
What is your idea of a perfect day or perfect weekend out in Yorkshire? We like going to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster. It’s one of the best places in this part of the world to go to with the kids, who love the animals. Another place which we enjoy going to is Cannon Hall Farm, near Barnsley, where, again, the kids like seeing all the animals.
What do you think it is that gives
Yorkshire its unique identity? I think it’s down to the people here because they are welcoming and friendly. I know many professional footballers who came to play in Yorkshire and ended up staying. People outside Yorkshire have this perception that it is cold, dull and always raining here and the sun never shines. But that is not the case. Yorkshire is brilliant with lots of great places and I am proud to be part of a county that has produced so many famous and successful people, including fine sportsmen and women.
Which Yorkshire sportsman or sportswoman, past or present, would you like to take out for lunch? I’d pick golfer Matt Fitzpatrick, from Sheffield, who is one of the best younger golfers in the world. Matt played in the 2016 Ryder Cup and tied for seventh place in the Masters in the same year. Over lunch, I’d pick Matt’s brains because you can learn from people you respect and look up to. I’d like to hear his views on how he copes with things when they go wrong or when he’s on top.
Which is your favourite pub or restaurant? The Crown in Totley. It’s on a quiet lane and sitting out there in the summer is most enjoyable. I also ride a road bike, so it’s nice to stop there and have a refreshing drink. As for restaurants, one of my friends owns the Tickled Trout at Barlow. We used to go there quite regularly as a family on a Sunday and have lunch in front of the fire.
Do you think Yorkshire has changed for the better or worse since you’ve known it? Overall, for the better. Leeds, for example, has some of the best shops in Yorkshire and here in Sheffield, Kelham Island which was run down, is now an up and coming part of the city with bars, cafes and restaurants.