2015–16 Sheffield United F.C. season

Sheffield United
2015–16 season
ChairmanDavid Green
ManagerNigel Adkins
StadiumBramall Lane
League One11th
FA CupThird round
(eliminated by Manchester United)
League CupSecond round
(eliminated by Fulham)
FL TrophyNorthern Area quarter-finals
(eliminated by Fleetwood Town)

The 2015–16 season was Sheffield United's 127th season in their history and their fifth consecutive season in League One. Along with League One, the club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup and Football League Trophy. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

Season overview

Pre-season

Following another failed play-off campaign, manager Nigel Clough was sacked with the club board stating "A change in direction was necessary for the forthcoming season."[1] After having an enquiry about Bradford City's Phil Parkinson to succeed Clough,[2] on 2 June Nigel Adkins was installed as Sheffield United's new manager.[3] On 13 July, Diego De Girolamo signed a new two-year contract with the Blades, having initially rejecting a new offer.[4] The following day, United announced the signing of Martyn Woolford on a free-transfer with him committing to Bramall Lane on a two-year deal.[5]

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
14 July 2015 LW England Martyn Woolford England Millwall Free transfer [5]
25 July 2015 CF England Billy Sharp England Leeds United Undisclosed [6]
26 August 2015 DF England Jake Phillips Wales Llandudno [7]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2015 CB England Sam Berry England Alfreton Town [a] Free transfer [9]
1 July 2015 CM England Ben Davies England Portsmouth [b] Free transfer [9]
1 July 2015 CM Republic of Ireland Michael Doyle England Portsmouth [c] Free transfer [9]
1 July 2015 MF England Jason Paling Alfreton Town Free transfer [9][12]
1 July 2015 MF England Kyle Scarisbrick Free Agent Released [9]
1 July 2015 GK Scotland Iain Turner England Tranmere Rovers [d] Released [9]
14 August 2015 CF Scotland Jamie Murphy England Brighton & Hove Albion £1,500,000 [14][15]
11 March 2016 CB Scotland Neill Collins United States Tampa Bay Rowdies Released [16]
  1. ^ Following Berry's release he joined Alfreton Town.[8]
  2. ^ Following Davies' release he joined Portsmouth.[10]
  3. ^ Following Doyle's release he joined Portsmouth.[11]
  4. ^ Following Turner's release he joined Tranmere Rovers.[13]

Total income: Increase £1,500,000

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
25 July 2015 CF Republic of Ireland Conor Sammon England Derby County End of season [6]
10 August 2015 CB Canada David Edgar England Birmingham City End of season [17]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
7 August 2015 AM England Dominic Calvert-Lewin England Northampton Town January 2016 [18]
29 August 2015 AM England David Brooks England FC Halifax Town 27 September 2015 [19]
29 August 2015 RW England CJ Hamilton England FC Halifax Town 27 September 2015 [19]
3 September 2015 GK England George Willis England Matlock Town 3 October 2015 [20]
11 September 2015 DF England Julian Banton England FC Halifax Town 10 October 2015 [21]
23 September 2015 CF England Michael Higdon England Oldham Athletic 19 December 2015 [22]

Contracts

New contracts and contract extensions.

Player Date Length Contracted until Ref.
Italy Diego De Girolamo 13 July 2015 2 Year Summer 2017 [4]
Myanmar Kler Heh July 2015 ? ? [23]
England Louis Reed 24 July 2015 3 Year Summer 2018 [24]
England Che Adams 25 August 2015 3 Year Summer 2018 [25]

Competitions

Pre-season friendlies

On 4 June 2015, Sheffield United announce they will play Newcastle United for Chris Morgan's testimonial.[26] On 9 June 2015, a confirmed list of the club's pre-season schedule was released.[27]

18 July 2015 (2015-07-18) Friendly Ilkeston 0–1 Sheffield United Ilkeston
15:00 BST Report Calvert-Lewin 85' Stadium: New Manor Ground
Attendance: 1,278
21 July 2015 (2015-07-21) Friendly Cheltenham Town 1–3 Sheffield United Cheltenham
19:45 BST Morgan-Smith 45' Report Adams 13'
Higdon 89'
Baxter 90'		 Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 1,247 (236 Blades fans)
23 July 2015 (2015-07-23) Friendly Exeter City 1–2 Sheffield United Exeter
19:30 BST Nichols 56' Report Collins 15'
Adams 79'		 Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 1,122 (192 Blades fans)
26 July 2015 (2015-07-26) Chris Morgan Testimonial Sheffield United 2–2 Newcastle United Sheffield
13:00 BST McNulty 47'
Freeman 87'		 Report Wijnaldum 45'
de Jong 78'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
29 July 2015 (2015-07-29) Friendly Macclesfield Town 0–4 Sheffield United Macclesfield
19:30 BST Report Diagne 11' (o.g.)
Sharp 13'
Adams 61', 89'		 Stadium: Moss Rose
Attendance: 999 (551 Blades)
2 August 2015 (2015-08-02) Friendly Sheffield United 1–1 Hull City Sheffield
15:00 BST Murphy 44' Report Hernández 78' Stadium: Bramall Lane

League One

League table

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
9 Gillingham 46 19 12 15 71 56 +15 69
10 Rochdale 46 19 12 15 68 61 +7 69
11 Sheffield United 46 18 12 16 64 59 +5 66
12 Port Vale 46 18 11 17 56 58 −2 65
13 Peterborough United 46 19 6 21 82 73 +9 63
Updated to match(es) played on 1 July 2016. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored

Results by matchday

Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAH
ResultLWWWWLLDWDLWDWLLDDLDWWWLDWDDLWLWLLDWLWLWDWWDLL
Position241274255766766568811121211988778710897101211111211138109891011
Updated to match(es) played on 13 May 2016. Source: Statto.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

8 August 2015 (2015-08-08) 1 Gillingham 4–0 Sheffield United Gillingham
15:00 BST Norris 8'
Oshilaja 43'
Egan 82'
Dack 90'		 Report Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 7,511
Referee: Lee Collins
15 August 2015 (2015-08-15) 2 Sheffield United 2–0 Chesterfield Sheffield
15:00 BST Adams 3', 46' Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 23,031
Referee: Kevin Wright
18 August 2015 (2015-08-18) 3 Peterborough United 1–3 Sheffield United Peterborough
19:30 BST Coulibaly 59' Report Sammon 15', 72'
Baxter 85'		 Stadium: London Road
Attendance: 6,526
Referee: Nigel Miller
22 August 2015 (2015-08-22) 4 Sheffield United 2–0 Blackpool Sheffield
15:00 BST Sharp 60'
McNulty 72'		 Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 5,224
Referee: Darren Dreadman
29 August 2015 (2015-08-29) 5 Swindon Town 0–2 Sheffield United Swindon
15:00 BST Report Collins 70'
Sharp 75'		 Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 8,614
Referee: Chris Sarginson
12 September 2015 (2015-09-12) 6 Sheffield United 1–3 Bury Sheffield
15:00 BST Sharp 72' (pen.) Report Pope 61'
Riley 83'
L. Clarke 90'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 20,708
Referee: David Webb
15 September 2015 (2015-09-15) 7 Sheffield United 2–3 Colchester United Sheffield
19:45 BST Sharp 51' (pen.)
Woolford 61'		 Report Moncur 6', 23'
Sordell 82'
Elokobi Red card 86'		 Stadium: Brammall Lane
Attendance: 17,623
Referee: Darren Handley
20 September 2015 (2015-09-20) 8 Bradford City 2–2 Sheffield United Bradford
12:00 BST Meredith 33'
Cole 47'		 Report Meredith 65' (o.g.)
Sharp 70'		 Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 19,317
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
26 September 2015 (2015-09-26) 9 Sheffield United 3–1 Doncaster Rovers Sheffield
15:00 BST Basham 17'
Sammon 35'
Sharp 79'		 Report Stewart 25'
MacKenzie Red card 38'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 20,869
Referee: Mark Heywood
29 September 2015 (2015-09-29) 10 Burton Albion 0–0 Sheffield United Burton upon Trent
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 5,029
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
3 October 2015 (2015-10-03) 11 Port Vale 2–1 Sheffield United Burslem
15:00 Moore 17'
Ikpeazu 45'		 Report Done 90+5' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 6,822
Referee: Graham Salisbury
10 October 2015 (2015-10-10) 12 Sheffield United 3–2 Rochdale Sheffield
15:00 BST Adams 29', 40'
Collins 74'		 Report Vincenti 37' (pen.)
Alessandra 72'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 19,039
Referee: Oliver Langford
17 October 2015 (2015-10-17) 13 Oldham Athletic 1–1 Sheffield United Oldham
15:00 BST Philliskirk 10'
Burn Red card 62'		 Report Done 30' Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 5,743
Referee: Kevin Wright
20 October 2015 (2015-10-20) 14 Sheffield United 3–0 Fleetwood Sheffield
19:45 BST Adams 1', 64'
Sharp 72'		 Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 17,879
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
24 October 2015 (2015-10-24) 15 Sheffield United 1–2 Millwall Sheffield
12:15 BST Baxter 70' Report O'Brien 30'
O'Brien 80'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 19,617
Referee: Andy Haines
31 October 2015 (2015-10-31) 16 Crewe Alexandra 1–0 Sheffield United Crewe
15:00 GMT Colclough 71' Report Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 5,227
Referee: Fred Graham
14 November 2015 (2015-11-14) 17 Sheffield United 2–2 Southend Sheffield
15:00 GMT Baxter 36'
Collins 45'		 Report Leonard 29'
Payne 31'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 19,007
Referee: Scott Duncan
21 November 2015 (2015-11-21) 18 Walsall 1–1 Sheffield United Bescot
15:00 GMT Bradshaw 51' Report Baxter 66' Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 5,780
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
24 November 2015 (2015-11-24) 19 Sheffield United 2–4 Shrewsbury Sheffield
19:45 GMT Sammon 17'
Hammond 65'		 Report Kaikai 25'
Black 26'
Vernon 35'
Collins 48'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 17,843
Referee: Richard Clark
28 November 2015 (2015-11-28) 20 Barnsley 1–1 Sheffield United Barnsley
12:15 GMT Hourihane 90+5' Report Basham 14' Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 13,571
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
13 December 2015 (2015-12-13) 21 Sheffield United 1–0 Coventry City Sheffield
12:00 GMT Sharp 79' Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 18,074
Referee: Iain Williamson
19 December 2015 (2015-12-19) 22 Scunthorpe United 0–1 Sheffield United Scunthorpe
15:00 GMT Report Sharp 50' Stadium: Glanford Park
Attendance: 5,150
Referee: Andy Haines
26 December 2015 (2015-12-26) Postponed Wigan Athletic P–P Sheffield United Wigan
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: DW Stadium
28 December 2015 (2015-12-28) 23 Sheffield United 3–1 Bradford City Sheffield
15:00 GMT Sharp 11'
McEveley Yellow card 21'
Sammon 59'
Edgar 63'
Basham Yellow card 81'
Long Yellow card 90+3'		 Report Liddle 83' Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 24,777
Referee: England Mark Haywood
2 January 2016 (2016-01-02) 24 Sheffield United 2–3 Peterborough United Sheffield
15:00 GMT Sharp 32' (pen.)
McEveley Yellow card 51'
Hammond Yellow card 67'
Baldwin 84' (o.g.)		 Report Washington 18'
Ricardo Yellow card 38'
Fox Yellow card 41'
Oztumer 48'
Samuelsen 84'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 22,302
Referee: England Darren Bond
12 January 2016 (2016-01-12) 25 Wigan Athletic 3–3 Sheffield United Wigan
19:45 GMT Grigg 16'
Perkins Yellow card 30'
Daniels Yellow card 40'
Vučkić 43'
McCann 66'
Power Yellow card 87'		 Report Hammond Yellow card 36'
Collins Yellow card 47'
Sharp Yellow card 59' 75'
Done 68' 89'		 Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 10,113
Referee: Andy Woolmer
16 January 2016 (2016-01-16) 26 Colchester United 1–2 Sheffield United Colchester
15:00 GMT Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
23 January 2016 (2016-01-23) 27 Sheffield United 1–1 Swindon Town Sheffield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Bramall Lane
26 January 2016 (2016-01-26) 28 Blackpool 0–0 Sheffield United Blackpool
19:45 GMT Stadium: Bloomfield Road
6 February 2016 (2016-02-06) 29 Sheffield United 0–2 Wigan Athletic Sheffield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Bramall Lane
13 February 2016 (2016-02-13) 30 Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Sheffield United Doncaster
15:00 GMT Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium
16 February 2016 (2016-02-16) 31 Bury 1–0 Sheffield United Bury
19:45 GMT Stadium: Gigg Lane
20 February 2016 (2016-02-20) 32 Sheffield United 1–0 Port Vale Sheffield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Bramall Lane
27 February 2016 (2016-02-27) 33 Rochdale 2–0 Sheffield United Rochdale
15:00 GMT Stadium: Spotland Stadium
1 March 2016 (2016-03-01) 34 Sheffield United 0–1 Burton Albion Sheffield
19:45 GMT Stadium: Bramall Lane
5 March 2016 (2016-03-05) 35 Fleetwood Town 2–2 Sheffield United Fleetwood
15:00 GMT Stadium: Highbury Stadium
12 March 2016 (2016-03-12) 36 Sheffield United 3–0 Oldham Athletic Sheffield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Bramall Lane
19 March 2016 (2016-03-19) 37 Millwall 1–0 Sheffield United Bermondsey
15:00 GMT Stadium: The Den
25 March 2016 (2016-03-25) 38 Sheffield United 3–2 Crewe Alexandra Sheffield
15:00 GMT Stadium: Bramall Lane
30 March 2016 (2016-03-30) 39 Southend United 3–1 Sheffield United Southend-on-Sea
19:45 BST Stadium: Roots Hall
2 April 2016 (2016-04-02) 40 Sheffield United 2–0 Walsall Sheffield
15:00 BST Stadium: Bramall Lane
9 April 2016 (2016-04-09) 41 Sheffield United 0–0 Gillingham Sheffield
15:00 BST Stadium: Bramall Lane
16 April 2016 (2016-04-16) 42 Chesterfield 0–3 Sheffield United Chesterfield
13:00 BST Stadium: Proact Stadium
19 April 2016 (2016-04-19) 43 Shrewsbury Town 1–2 Sheffield United Shrewsbury
19:45 BST Stadium: New Meadow
23 April 2016 (2016-04-23) 44 Sheffield United 0–0 Barnsley Sheffield
12:30 BST Stadium: Bramall Lane
30 April 2016 (2016-04-30) 45 Coventry City 3–1 Sheffield United Coventry
15:00 BST Stadium: Ricoh Arena
8 May 2016 (2016-05-08) 46 Sheffield United 0–2 Scunthorpe United Sheffield
12:30 BST Stadium: Bramall Lane

FA Cup

7 November 2015 (2015-11-07) First Round Proper Sheffield United 3–0 Worcester City Sheffield
15:00 GMT Baxter 19' (pen.)
Sammon 81'
Freeman 90+1'		 Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 11,108
Referee: Simon Bennett
5 December 2015 (2015-12-05) Second Round Proper Sheffield United 1–0 Oldham Athletic Sheffield
15:00 GMT Done 47'
Adams Red card 67'		 Report Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 6,938
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
9 January 2016 (2016-01-09) Third Round Proper Manchester United 1–0 Sheffield United Manchester
17:30 GMT Rooney 90+3' (pen.) Report Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 74,284
Referee: Jonathan Moss

League Cup

On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Sheffield United were drawn away against Morecambe.[28] In the second round, the Blades were drawn away to Fulham.[29]

11 August 2015 (2015-08-11) First round Morecambe 0–1 Sheffield United Morecambe
19:45 BST Report Collins 90' Stadium: Globe Arena
Attendance: 2,168
Referee: Steve Martin
25 August 2015 (2015-08-25) Second round Fulham 3–0 Sheffield United Fulham
19:45 BST McCormack 62' (pen.), 75'
Dembélé 90'		 Report Baxter Red card 88'
Wallace Red card 90'		 Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 5,927
Referee: Dean Whitestone

Football League Trophy

On 8 August 2015, live on Soccer AM the draw for the first round of the Football League Trophy was drawn by Toni Duggan and Alex Scott.[30] In the second round draw, made on 5 September 2015, the Blades were drawn at home to Notts County.[31]

1 September 2015 First Round (Northern Area) Hartlepool United 1–1
(3–4 p)		 Sheffield United Hartlepool
19:00 BST Fenwick 51' Report Flynn 7' Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 2,221
Referee: Scott Duncan
Penalties
Bingham soccer ball with check mark
Oates soccer ball with check mark
Harrison soccer ball with red X
Fenwick soccer ball with red X
Featherstone soccer ball with check mark		 Higdon soccer ball with check mark
Sharp soccer ball with check mark
McNulty soccer ball with check mark
Woolford soccer ball with red X
McEveley soccer ball with check mark
6 October 2015 Second Round (Northern Area) Sheffield United 5–1 Notts County Bramall Lane, Sheffield
19:45 BST Baxter 20' (pen.), 36' (pen.)
Done 23'
Scougall 67'
Adams 74' (pen.)		 Report Stead 62' Attendance: 5,497
Referee: Carl Boyeson
10 November 2015 Quarter Finals (Northern Area) Fleetwood Town 0–0
(4–1 p)		 Sheffield United Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood
19:45 GMT Report Attendance: 1,587
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh
Penalties
soccer ball with check mark Grant
soccer ball with check mark Ball
soccer ball with check mark Ryan
soccer ball with check mark Haughton		 soccer ball with check mark Baxter
soccer ball with red X Sharp
soccer ball with red X McEveley

References

  1. ^ "Nigel Clough: Sheffield United sack manager". BBC Sport. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Phil Parkinson: Bradford City reject Sheffield United approach for boss". BBC Sport. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Nigel Adkins: Sheffield United appoint ex-Southampton boss". BBC Sport. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Diego De Girolamo: Sheffield United forward signs two-year deal". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Martyn Woolford: Sheffield United sign ex-Millwall midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Double swoop". Sheffield United FC. 25 July 2015.
  7. ^ "FOOTBALL: MBi Llandudno full-back Jake Phillips seals Sheffield United move". North Wales Pioneer. 26 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Alfreton Town sign Sam Berry on one-year deal". Yorkshire Evening Post. 23 June 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Senior trio leave the Lane". Sheffield United FC. 15 May 2015.
  10. ^ "Ben Davies: Portsmouth sign versatile ex-Sheffield United player". BBC Sport. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Michael Doyle: Portsmouth sign ex-Sheffield United midfielder". BBC Sport. 6 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Alfreton Town: Former Sheffield United youngster joins Reds". Derby Telegraph. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Tranmere Rovers sign former Everton FC goalkeeper Iain Turner". Liverpool Echo. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Murphy moves on". Sheffield United FC. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  15. ^ "Albion bring in winger on four-year deal". The Argus. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  16. ^ "Neill heads Stateside". SUFC.co.uk. 11 March 2016.
  17. ^ "Boss bolsters defensive options". Sheffield United FC. 10 August 2015. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Sheffield United striker joins Northampton". BBC Sport. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  19. ^ a b "U21 duo head to Halifax". Sheffield United FC. 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Keeper out on loan". Sheffield United FC. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  21. ^ "Banton joins Halifax". Sheffield United FC Official Website. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Striker heads out on-loan". Sheffield United FC. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  23. ^ "Sheffield United award former Thai refugee with first professional contract". The Guardian. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  24. ^ "Louis Reed: Sheffield United midfielder signs new deal". BBC Sport. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Che Adams: Sheffield United striker signs new contract". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Toon provide Morgan's Testimonial opposition". Sheffield United FC. 4 June 2015.
  27. ^ "Pre-season fixtures confirmed". Sheffield United FC. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  28. ^ "Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw". Capital One Cup. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  29. ^ "Capital One Cup round 2 draw". Capital One Cup. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  30. ^ "Away tie in JPT". Sheffield United FC. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  31. ^ "Johnstone's Paint Trophy Second Round Draw". The Football League. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.