2011–12 Sheffield United F.C. season

Sheffield United
2011–12 season
ChairmanKevin McCabe
(PLC Chairman)
Christopher Steer
(Football Club Chairman)
ManagerDanny Wilson
League One3rd
FA Cupfourth round
League Cupsecond round
Football League TrophyQuarter-final (North)
Top goalscorerLeague: Evans (29)
All: Evans (35)
Highest home attendance30,043 (vs. Stevenage)[1]
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 15,783 (vs. Colchester United)
Cup: 5,692 (vs. Bradford City)[1]
Average home league attendance18,702[2]

Sheffield United Football Club (known as the Blades) participated in League One, the third level of English football for the first time in 23 years having been relegated from the Championship at the end of the previous season. It was also their first appearance in both the Football League Trophy and the first round proper of the FA Cup for a similar length of time, as well as being the first season under new manager Danny Wilson. United began the season well, recording consistently sound results in Football League One and nearing the position required for an immediate return to the Championship. By the turn of the year, the squad was well positioned for promotion.

Reasonable progress was made in the cup competitions, reaching the second round of the League Cup, the fourth round of the FA Cup and the regional quarter finals of the Football League Trophy. With only a handful of games left to play in the league United looked set to finish in second place in the table, but in the aftermath of leading scorer Ched Evans being jailed, results declined, and United slipped to third place in the final week of the season. Although they reached the play-off final, the team were beaten on penalties by Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium, thus failing to achieve promotion and being destined to spend the following season in League One.

Team kit[edit]

The team kit for the 2011–12 season was produced by Macron for the third successive year. The home kit consisted of the club's traditional red and white stripes and was based on the kit worn by the team in the early 1970s, chosen following a poll of fans the previous year.[3] As the pre-season programme got under way the club also revealed a new all yellow away kit.[3] By mid July the club announced that they had struck a joint sponsorship deal with cross-city rivals Sheffield Wednesday which would see both teams sponsored by the same two local companies. The Blades' home kit was sponsored by Westfield Health and the away kit by local car dealers Gilders Group (with Sheffield Wednesday's kit's having the reverse).[4] The club later announced that a new secondary sponsor, Nexis, would appear on the back of the home shirts for the coming season.[5]

Season overview[edit]

Preseason[edit]

Danny Wilson
Danny Wilson who was appointed as Sheffield United manager in May 2011

Following relegation from the Championship at the end of the previous season, company chairman Kevin McCabe sacked manager Micky Adams, insisting that the club needed a new start to take them forward.[6] After a few weeks of speculation, McCabe appointed former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson as Adams' successor.[7] Wilson began to assemble his back room team, appointing former United defender Frank Barlow as his number two,[8] fellow former Blade Billy Dearden as chief scout[9] and Dave Morrison as fitness coach.[10]

Wilson stressed that he intended to bring a better style of play to the team in the coming season[11] but admitted that players would have to be sold to balance the books. Deals were already in place to sell Jamie Ward to Derby County for an undisclosed fee,[12] and sign Danny Philliskirk from Chelsea on a free transfer,[13] but Wilson also added to the squad in June by signing Lecsinel Jean-François from his former club Swindon Town, also on a free transfer.[14] After much speculation, and with the players about to return for pre-season training, Darius Henderson was sold to Millwall for an undisclosed fee in order to free up money on the wage bill.[15]

The club announced a low-key series of friendlies for July,[16] while Wilson continued to reshape his squad, allowing young defenders Kingsley James and Phil Roe, both products of the Blades Academy, to leave and rejoin former boss Micky Adams at Port Vale on free transfers.[17] A youthful team were held to a draw by Sheffield[18] but overcame Worksop Town a few days later.[19] With the team about to leave for a training camp in Malta, Mark Yeates was sold to Watford for an undisclosed fee,[20] Ryan Flynn was signed from Falkirk for a similarly undisclosed fee[21] and Chris Porter arrived on a free transfer having been released by Derby County.[22] Once in Malta, United took on local sides Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians in friendly games, beating both sides.[23][24] Upon returning to England, the Blades completed their pre-season schedule with two home fixtures, losing to Doncaster Rovers[25] and drawing with Blackpool.[26] With their pre-season schedule completed the Blades signed young winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a six-month loan deal.[27]

Unfortunately, the latter half of July also saw the club hit the national headlines for the wrong reasons. Firstly, the club was identified by a Channel 4 undercover investigation as being offered for sale as part of an illegal ownership deal, although the Blades themselves were not implicated in any wrongdoing.[28] A fortnight later, striker Ched Evans was arrested and charged with rape following an incident in May.[29]

August–September: Early season optimism[edit]

Stephen Quinn on the pitch
Stephen Quinn whose early season form won a number of 'League One Team of the Week' nominations

The Blades won the opening game of the season away from home, outclassing Oldham Athletic,[30] but a strong side needed penalties to overcome Hartlepool United at Victoria Park in the first round of the League Cup a few days later.[31] Midfielder Kevin McDonald was added to the squad on a free transfer after a lengthy trial period,[32] before the Blades resumed their league campaign, beating Brentford at home,[33] and overturning a two-nil deficit to overcome Walsall at Bramall Lane.[34] Having spent the previous season on loan at United, Argentinian Elian Parrino returned to South Yorkshire on a one-year deal from Estudiantes de La Plata,[35] after which the Blades embarked on a four match run of away games in the space of eleven days. They dropped their first league points of the season as they were held to a draw by Tranmere Rovers,[36] before suffering their first defeat of the season on a quick return to Merseyside, allowing the lead to slip once more as they crashed out of the League Cup at the hands of Premiership Everton.[37] The team returned to league action and winning ways with an away trip to Yeovil,[38] the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, after which they despatched Burton Albion to progress into the second round of the Football League Trophy.[39]

With Danny Wilson still needing to raise money and trim the wage bill, the Blades had a relatively busy transfer deadline day, allowing Jordan Slew to join Blackburn Rovers for £1.1m,[40] and Daniel Bogdanović to join Blackpool for an undisclosed fee,[41] but turning down another offer from the Seasiders for Stephen Quinn.[42] The Blades also agreed a deal to take two young midfielders, John Fleck and Kyle Hutton, on loan from Rangers for the remainder of the season,[43] but the deal subsequently fell through due to issues with the paperwork involved.[44] The team kicked off September by crushing Bury 4–0 at Bramall Lane,[45] and then travelled to Scunthorpe United where they maintained their unbeaten start after coming from behind to grab a 1–1 draw.[46] Off the field the restructuring of the club continued with the appointment of former Blades player Julian Winter as Chief Executive to replace the departing Trevor Birch.[47] Danny Wilson added to his defensive options by signing Marcus Williams on a months loan from Reading,[48] with the defender making his début only hours later, although he was unable to prevent the Blades from crashing to their first league defeat of the season as they were trounced 3–0 at home by Huddersfield Town.[49] Despite this setback the Blades quickly returned to winning ways, reversing the previous scoreline to crush Colchester United 3–0 at Bramall Lane.[50] The month ended on a low note however as the team suffered a shock defeat at struggling Wycombe Wanderers,[51] although they still managed to hold onto second place in the table.

October–November: Important points dropped[edit]

October started no better for the Blades as they were easily beaten 2–0 at home by league leaders Charlton Athletic[52] and needed a last second goal to progress in the Football League Trophy as they struggled against League Two side Rotherham United.[53] Meanwhile, Danny Wilson boosted his squad ahead of the Steel City derby, with Marcus Williams agreeing to stay on loan for a further two months[54] and Matt Phillips and Billy Clarke arriving for a month each from Blackpool.[55] The new arrivals failed to halt the disappointing run of results however as the Blades let a 2–0 lead slip to end up drawing with their cross–city rivals.[56] Despite this disappointment the team bounced back to score an emphatic away win at Preston a few days later with both new signing Matt Phillips and old hand Lee Williamson netting two goals apiece.[57] With increased competition for first team places, youngsters Danny Philliskirk and Corey Gregory were allowed to go out on loan to Oxford United and Hucknall Town respectively;[58] swiftly followed by Connor Brown who joined Eastwood Town on a months deal.[59] Back in the league, the disappointing results continued as United threw away a lead once again, allowing ten-men Leyton Orient to snatch a draw with the last kick of the game.[60] Once again the Blades quickly responded to the setback by beating fellow promotion rivals MK Dons 2–1 at Bramall Lane,[61] but then conspired to throw away yet more points, allowing Exeter City to come from behind twice in the closing minutes of the next game to snatch a 4–4 draw.[62]

Into November and back on the road, yet another late goal was handed Stevenage all three points,[63] leaving United fifth in the table going into FA Cup week. With Phillips and Clarke playing the final game of their loan spell,[64] United tamely exited the Football League Trophy, losing on penalties to League Two strugglers Bradford City.[65] There was a more positive result in the FA Cup however as a brace from Ched Evans helped the Blades ease past Oxford United.[66] By mid–November, and with Danny Wilson still seeking to add to his attacking options, it was reported that former striker and fans favourite James Beattie had returned to training with the club and could be handed a contract depending on match fitness,[67] and a short term deal was duly signed a few days later.[68] Back in League action United saw out a victory over Carlisle United despite seeing a Richard Cresswell spot–kick saved in the second half,[69] and a week later Ched Evans scored his fifth goal in four games to beat Chesterfield by the same scoreline.[70] The month ended on a sombre note however as former player and manager Gary Speed was found dead at his home after having taken his own life less than a year after leaving his post at Bramall Lane.[71]

December–January: Maximum points for Christmas[edit]

Ched Evans before a Wales international
Ched Evans (pictured playing for Wales) who scored 35 goals during the season.

December started with the second round of the FA Cup and despite conceding another late goal, the Blades progressed into the third round at the expense of Torquay United, thanks to another brace from in Ched Evans,[72] who then scored for the fifth game in succession in the next game, netting twice more in a league victory over Rochdale.[73] The team's impressive form continued with an away win at Bournemouth thanks to two own goals,[74] Notts County making a similar gift of an own goal to contribute to their own defeat on Boxing Day,[75] before the Blades rounded the year off by crushing Hartlepool United on New Year's Eve;[76] meaning that the Blades ended 2011 in second place in the table following eight victories in a row in all competitions.[77]

With the transfer window reopening in January, Danny Wilson's first signing was the return of former loan player Marcus Williams who agreed a two and a half year deal.[78] The New Year started disappointingly as the Blades crashed to their first defeat since the beginning of November as they were beaten 3–2 at Carlisle United.[79] Following Danny Wilson being awarded 'League One Manager of the Month' for December,[80] United soon got back to winning ways when they returned to home soil. The team saw off Salisbury City 3–1 in the third round of the FA Cup,[81] the first meeting ever between the two clubs, and then outclassed Yeovil Town a few days later, hitting four without reply including a brace from Lee Williamson and a first ever club goal from captain Michael Doyle.[82] With Danny Wilson looking to freshen up his squad United rewarded four of its younger players with contract extensions, with Erik Tønne and David McAllister set to remain with the club until the summer of 2014, and youth team players Jordan Chapell and Jack Adams agreeing new deals until the end of the season.[83] In a busy day the club saw the departure of Elian Parrino as his short term deal came to an end,[83] and then allowed McAllister to join League Two club Shrewsbury Town on a months loan,[84] with manager Danny Wilson bemoaning a lack of reserve games under the current system.[85] The following week Wilson continued to overhaul the squad with reserve keeper Mihkel Aksalu leaving the club on mutual terms,[86] but was boosted by 'fans favourite' James Beattie agreeing a deal to remain at Bramall Lane until the end of the season.[87] Meanwhile, back in the league the Blades then continued their fine run of form, completing their second league double of the week, as they hit three without reply away at Bury,[88] but that form deserted them for a top-of-the-table trip to Charlton Athletic where a bad tempered match resulted in both teams being reduced to ten men and a 1–0 loss for United.[89] Seven days later United suffered their first back-to-back defeats of the season as they crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Birmingham City.[90] With the transfer window about to close Bramall Lane was relatively quite on deadline day; Danny Philliskirk was handed an extended deal,[91] and striker Will Hoskins signed on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the season,[92] whilst youngster Erik Tønne was allowed to join Yorkshire neighbours York City, also until the end of the season.[93] The club also gave a trial to experienced Scottish defender David Weir with a view to a potential short term contract.[94]

February–March: Promotion charge takes shape then falls apart[edit]

Richard Cresswell on the pitch
Richard Cresswell played 51 games for the Blades during the course of the season

After various match postponements due to a spell of bad weather and the various cup competitions United finally returned to league action in mid February with new signing Hoskins scoring on his début as the Blades ran out 3–0 victors over Wycombe Wanderers.[95] After a successful spell, midfielder David McAllister opted to extend his loan deal at Shrewsbury until the end of March,[96] whilst young keeper George Long agreed a new long–term deal at Bramall Lane.[97] Meanwhile, on Valentine's Day, the Blades beat Yorkshire and promotion rivals Huddersfield Town 1–0 at the Galpharm Stadium as defender Neill Collins scored his first ever goal for the club,[98] before coming from behind to beat Preston North End at home a few days later, despite Ched Evans missing a penalty.[99] With Mihkel Aksalu having departed, United agreed a two and a half year deal with keeper, and free agent, Mark Howard to provide cover for Steve Simonsen,[100] before the club met their cross-city rivals in the second Steel City derby of the season where United suffered a narrow defeat.[101] Looking for a quick bounce–back, United were forced to come from behind to beat Scunthorpe United at home,[102] to leave them in second place, five points clear of third, in the table at the start of March.

Despite their form, United suffered a catastrophic start to March as they lost at home to Oldham Athletic having had a two-goal lead only to see both Matthew Lowton and Harry Maguire sent off and the team subsequently collapse.[103] With the entire back four unavailable, United were forced to draft in Matt Hill and John Egan on emergency loans,[104] but this was not enough to prevent them slipping to their third defeat in four games as they capitulated at Walsall.[105] Danny Wilson remained keen to find first team experience for the younger members of the squad and as such allowed Seamus Conneely to join Alfreton Town on loan[106] before United returned to winning ways with two goals from Ched Evans being enough to defeat Brentford at Griffin Park.[107] Unfortunately the Blades failed to take advantage of their game in hand, being held to a draw by Colchester United,[108] before once again allowing a lead to slip as they drew with Tranmere Rovers at Bramall Lane.[109] With the transfer deadline for loans approaching, the Blades' longest serving player and vice-captain Nick Montgomery was allowed to join Millwall until the end of the season due to an absence of first team football,[110] allowing Danny Wilson to bring in winger Michael O'Halloran on loan from Bolton Wanderers.[111] Meanwhile, on the pitch, United put their recent poor form behind them as they outclassed Notts County 5–2 at Meadow Lane,[112] before putting four goals past Chesterfield at Bramall Lane, including a hat–trick from in–form striker Ched Evans.[113] Despite a low–key team performance, a second Ched Evans penalty in as many games was enough to finish the month with a third straight victory, with the Blades defeating Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.[114]

April–May: The final straight ends in disappointment[edit]

With loan defender John Egan returning to his parent club at the start of April, Nick Montgomery's loan at Millwall was all but cut short after only two substitute appearances when he sustained a calf injury likely to sideline him until the end of the season.[115] David McAllister also saw his loan spell at Shrewsbury cut short shortly after receiving a red card, with the resulting three game ban ruling him out for the remainder of his time at the New Meadow.[116] Back in the league a nervy display saw the Blades edge out Bournemouth at Bramall Lane,[117] before a much more emphatic performance saw them bury Rochdale at the Spotland Stadium.[118] With the Blades now in a straight fight with local rivals Sheffield Wednesday for the second automatic promotion spot they came from behind to beat Leyton Orient at Bramall Lane to open up a four-point gap on third placed Wednesday.[119] The next week however their campaign was dealt a crushing blow as star striker and top scorer Ched Evans's case came to trial where he was found guilty of rape and sentenced to five years in prison.[120] Without Evans and missing his injured strike partner Richard Cresswell, United slipped to a damaging defeat at MK Dons.[121] Worse was to come as United could only register a draw with Stevenage in a dramatic final home game at Bramall Lane, meaning they slipped out of the automatic promotion places for the first time since February.[122] United went into the final league fixture with Exeter City requiring to win and hope that rivals Sheffield Wednesday were beaten to secure promotion; a combination that failed to materialise as Wednesday registered a victory and the Blades could only draw meaning they were consigned to the play-offs.[123]

Another trip to Wembley[edit]

Main article: 2012 Football League One play-off final

With James Beattie unavailable for the playoffs following a red card in the final game of the season against Exeter City, manager Danny Wilson was faced with a selection crisis ahead of the critical games against Stevenage. With only one senior striker available a patched up side contested a dour first-leg where neither team created many chances. United did manage to keep a clean sheet however and took the tie back to Bramall Lane with the scores level at 0–0.[124]

The Blades entered the second leg still bereft of forwards, with Richard Cresswell having contracted an illness on the morning of the game, so were forced to play with just Chris Porter as a lone striker once more. An even first half saw few opportunities for either side but following the break United began to attack with more purpose. Despite chances for both sides the game looked to be heading for another draw until Porter scored an 85th-minute winner to put the Blades through to the final at Wembley.[125]

Richard Cresswell was passed fit for the final against Huddersfield but influential midfielder Kevin McDonald was left out through injury so the Blades were forced to make changes once more. The game was played under blistering heat and neither side created many chances.[126] It remained 0–0 after ninety minutes and so extra–time was played but there was still no breakthrough. Ultimately the game went to penalties, which saw every player for both sides take a spot kick only for United to lose 8–7 when goalkeeper Steve Simonsen missed the final kick, consigning the Blades to another season in League One.[126][127]

Academy and Reserve teams[edit]

Reserves[edit]

Central Division – Table
  Team Pts
1. Sheffield United 22
2. Derby County 21
3. Nottingham Forest 18
4. Port Vale 15
5. Walsall 15
6. Burton Albion 13
7. Stoke City 12

Sheffield United Reserves played in the Central League: Central Division in the nearby Derbyshire town of Dronfield at the Coach and Horses ground, which was also the home of Sheffield FC during the season.[128] Experienced defender Chris Morgan was appointed reserve team coach at the start of the season and given the responsibility of developing the young players which made up the bulk of the side.[128] With many teams now opting not to enter a reserve side into an organised competition the Central Division consisted of just seven sides meaning fixtures were irregular throughout the season. In January 2012 Danny Wilson expressed the need to reform the reserve team structure due to this infrequent number of matches citing that experienced players do not gain much from them and the cost of staging the fixtures as issues.[85]

Despite this United's side ended the season as Champions, finishing one point ahead of nearest rivals Derby County[128] who had won the division in the previous season, ironically by one point from The Blades who had finished second. Following a nine match unbeaten run the title was clinched with the final game of the season as United held a strong Nottingham Forest side to a 1–1 draw at the coach and Horses ground.[128] Danny Philliskirk ended the season as top scorer, having netted six goals, whilst he was also the joint leading appearance maker along with Matty Harriott and Shane Murray.[128]

Academy[edit]

Sheffield United Academy U18s played in the FA Premier Academy League U18s Group D at the Shirecliffe ground at Firshill Crescent. Under the management of John Pemberton, the side were seeking to replicate the success of the previous season when they had reached the final of the FA Youth Cup final.[129] Shorn of a number of key players (who had either graduated to the first team or left the club), the team completed a solid but unspectacular season. Results fluctuated with impressive victories over the likes of Everton, Bolton and Sunderland being mixed with heavy defeats to Leeds United, Coventry City and West Ham United.[130] Eventually finishing fifth (out of ten teams) in their division, manager John Pemberton described the season as "another successful one for everyone associated with the Academy. We have five players becoming professionals who will all be linking up with the first team next season and that is what we are judged on – producing players."[130]

United's hopes of repeating the previous season's success in the FA Youth Cup did not come to fruition however. After a victory in the first round over Tranmere Rovers, they required penalties to see off Port Vale in the next round before finally being eliminated in round three when Southampton recorded a 7–0 victory over the Blades.[130]

Players[edit]

As of the end of the season[1]

First-team squad[edit]

Squad at end of season[131]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Steve Simonsen
2 DF England ENG Matthew Lowton
3 DF Haiti HAI Lecsinel Jean-François[notes 1]
4 MF Scotland SCO Nick Montgomery[notes 2]
5 DF England ENG Chris Morgan (captain)
6 DF Austria AUT Johannes Ertl
8 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Michael Doyle (vice captain)
10 FW England ENG James Beattie
11 MF Scotland SCO Ryan Flynn
13 GK England ENG Mark Howard
14 MF Jamaica JAM Lee Williamson[notes 3]
15 DF Scotland SCO Neill Collins
16 DF England ENG Andy Taylor
17 FW England ENG Richard Cresswell
18 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Matthew Harriott[notes 4]
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 DF England ENG Harry Maguire
20 MF Republic of Ireland IRL David McAllister
21 FW England ENG Chris Porter
22 FW England ENG Danny Philliskirk
25 GK England ENG George Long
26 DF Republic of Ireland IRL John Egan (on loan from Sunderland)
27 MF Scotland SCO Kevin McDonald
28 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Quinn
29 FW Scotland SCO Michael O'Halloran (on loan from Bolton Wanderers)
30 DF England ENG Marcus Williams
31 FW England ENG Jordan Chapell
32 DF England ENG Matt Hill (on loan from Blackpool)
35 DF Australia AUS Marc Warren
— DF England ENG Terry Kennedy

Out on loan[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Seamus Conneely[notes 5] (on loan to Alfreton Town)
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 MF Norway NOR Erik Tønne (on loan to York City)

Left club during season[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
7 MF England ENG Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
7 FW England ENG Will Hoskins (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
9 FW Wales WAL Ched Evans (released)
10 FW Malta MLT Daniel Bogdanović[notes 6] (to Blackpool)
12 FW England ENG Jordan Slew (to Blackburn Rovers)
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK Estonia EST Mihkel Aksalu (released)
26 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Billy Clarke (on loan from Blackpool)
32 MF Scotland SCO Matt Phillips (on loan from Blackpool)
33 DF Argentina ARG Elian Parrino (released)

Transfers and contracts[edit]

In[edit]

Summer[edit]

Squad # Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Source
3 DF Haiti Lecsinel Jean-François England Swindon Town Free 20 June 2011 [14]
22 FW England Danny Philliskirk England Chelsea Free 21 June 2011 [13]
11 MF Scotland Ryan Flynn Scotland Falkirk Undisclosed 14 July 2011 [21]
21 FW England Chris Porter England Derby County Free 15 July 2011 [22]
27 MF Scotland Kevin McDonald England Burnley Free 13 August 2011 [32]
33 DF Argentina Elian Parrino Argentina Estudiantes de La Plata Undisclosed 18 August 2011 [35]

Winter[edit]

Squad # Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Source
10 FW England James Beattie Free agent Free 24 November 2011 [68]
30 DF England Marcus Williams England Reading Free 1 January 2012 [78]
13 GK England Mark Howard Free agent Free 20 February 2012 [100]

Loan in[edit]

Squad # Position Player Loaned from Start End Source
7 MF England Nathaniel Mendez-Laing England Wolverhampton Wanderers 5 August 2011 3 January 2012 [27]
30 DF England Marcus Williams England Reading 13 September 2011 13 December 2011 [48]
26 FW Republic of Ireland Billy Clarke England Blackpool 14 October 2011 8 November 2011 [55][64]
32 MF Scotland Matt Phillips England Blackpool 14 October 2011 8 November 2011 [55][64]
7 FW England Will Hoskins England Brighton & Hove Albion 31 January 2012 31 May 2012 [92]
26 DF Republic of Ireland John Egan England Sunderland 6 March 2012 3 April 2012 [104]
32 DF England Matt Hill England Blackpool 6 March 2012 31 May 2012 [104]
29 FW Scotland Michael O'Halloran England Bolton Wanderers 22 March 2012 31 May 2012 [111]

Out[edit]

Summer[edit]

Squad # Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
18 FW Northern Ireland Jamie Ward[notes 7] England Derby County Undisclosed 9 May 2011 [12]
7 FW England Darius Henderson England Millwall Undisclosed 29 June 2011 [15]
15 MF England Ryan France Free agent Contract Expired 30 June 2011
22 DF England Rob Kozluk England Port Vale Contract Expired 30 June 2011 [132]
39 GK Australia Lawrence Thomas Australia Melbourne Victory Contract Expired 30 June 2011 [133]
30 MF England Kingsley James England Port Vale Free 1 July 2011 [17]
32 DF England Phil Roe England Port Vale Free 1 July 2011 [17]
11 MF Republic of Ireland Mark Yeates England Watford Undisclosed 13 July 2011 [20]
10 FW Malta Daniel Bogdanović England Blackpool Undisclosed 31 August 2011 [41]
12 FW England Jordan Slew England Blackburn Rovers £1.1 million 31 August 2011 [40]

Winter[edit]

Squad # Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
– MF Norway Kristoffer Løkberg Norway Ranheim Free 1 December 2011 [41]
33 DF Argentina Elian Parrino Released 12 January 2012 [83]
13 GK Estonia Mihkel Aksalu Released 19 January 2012 [86]

Loan out[edit]

Squad # Position Player Loaned to Start End Source
– MF Norway Kristoffer Løkberg Norway Ranheim 31 August 2011 1 December 2011 [41]
22 FW England Danny Philliskirk England Oxford United 21 October 2011 19 November 2011 [58]
– MF England Corey Gregory England Hucknall Town 21 October 2011 31 January 2012 [58]
– DF England Connor Brown England Eastwood Town 21 October 2011 19 November 2011 [59]
20 MF Republic of Ireland David McAllister England Shrewsbury Town 12 January 2012 4 April 2012 [84][96][116]
24 MF Norway Erik Tønne England York City 31 January 2012 31 May 2012 [93]
18 MF Republic of Ireland Matthew Harriott England Burton Albion 6 March 2012 24 March 2012 [134][135]
18 DF Republic of Ireland Seamus Conneely England Alfreton Town 9 March 2012 9 April 2012 [106]
4 MF Scotland Nick Montgomery England Millwall 19 March 2012 28 March 2012 [110][115]

Contracts[edit]

New contracts and contract extensions.

Player Date Length Contracted until Reference
England Jordan Slew 15 July 2011 2 Years Summer 2013 [136]
England Matthew Lowton 11 August 2011 3 Years Summer 2014 [137]
England Harry Maguire 19 October 2011 4 Years Summer 2015 [138]
Republic of Ireland David McAllister 12 January 2012 2 Years, 6 Months Summer 2014 [83]
Norway Erik Tønne 12 January 2012 2 Years, 6 Months Summer 2014 [83]
England Jordan Chapell 12 January 2012 6 Months Summer 2012 [83]
England Jack Adams 12 January 2012 6 Months Summer 2012 [83]
England James Beattie 26 January 2012 6 Months Summer 2012 [87]
England Danny Philliskirk 30 January 2012 1 Year, 6 Months Summer 2013 [91]
England George Long 16 February 2012 4 Years Summer 2016 [97]
Republic of Ireland Aaron Barry 14 March 2012 1 Year Summer 2013 [139]

League table[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Charlton Athletic (C, P) 46 30 11 5 82 36 +46 101 Promotion to Football League Championship
2 Sheffield Wednesday (P) 46 28 9 9 81 48 +33 93
3 Sheffield United 46 27 9 10 92 51 +41 90 Qualification for League One play-offs[a]
4 Huddersfield Town (O, P) 46 21 18 7 79 47 +32 81
5 Milton Keynes Dons 46 22 14 10 84 47 +37 80
Updated to match(es) played on 5 May 2012. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Football League Championship.

Season firsts[edit]

Player début[edit]

Players making their first team Sheffield United début in a fully competitive match.

Squad # Position Player Date Opponents Ground Notes
11 MF Scotland Ryan Flynn 6 August 2011 Oldham Athletic Boundary Park [140]
2 DF Haiti Lecsinel Jean-François 6 August 2011 Oldham Athletic Boundary Park [141]
21 FW England Chris Porter 6 August 2011 Oldham Athletic Boundary Park [142]
7 MF England Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 9 August 2011 Hartlepool United Victoria Park On loan, League Cup[143]
27 MF Scotland Kevin McDonald 13 August 2011 Brentford Bramall Lane [144]
30 DF England Marcus Williams 13 September 2011 Huddersfield Town Bramall Lane On loan[145]
32 MF Scotland Matt Phillips 16 October 2011 Sheffield Wednesday Bramall Lane Sub, On loan[146]
26 FW Republic of Ireland Billy Clarke 19 October 2011 Preston North End Deepdale On loan[147]
7 FW England Will Hoskins 11 February 2012 Wycombe Wanderers Bramall Lane Sub, On loan[148]
26 DF Republic of Ireland John Egan 6 March 2012 Walsall Bescot Stadium On loan[149]
32 DF England Matt Hill 6 March 2012 Walsall Bescot Stadium On loan[150]
29 FW Scotland Michael O'Halloran 28 March 2012 Chesterfield Bramall Lane Sub, On loan[151]

Début goal[edit]

Players scoring their first goal for Sheffield United in a competitive fixture.

Squad # Position Player Date Opponents Ground Notes
19 DF England Harry Maguire 6 August 2011 Oldham Athletic Boundary Park [152]
21 FW England Chris Porter 27 August 2011 Yeovil Town Huish Park [142]
27 MF Norway Erik Tønne 30 August 2011 Burton Albion Pirelli Stadium Football League Trophy[153]
7 MF England Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 3 September 2011 Bury Bramall Lane [143]
32 MF Scotland Matt Phillips 19 October 2011 Preston North End Deepdale [146]
26 FW Republic of Ireland Billy Clarke 29 October 2011 Exeter City Bramall Lane [147]
11 MF Scotland Ryan Flynn 19 November 2011 Oxford United Bramall Lane FA Cup[140]
8 MF Republic of Ireland Michael Doyle 10 January 2012 Yeovil Town Bramall Lane [154]
7 FW England Will Hoskins 11 February 2012 Wycombe Wanderers Bramall Lane [148]
27 MF Scotland Kevin McDonald 11 February 2012 Wycombe Wanderers Bramall Lane [144]
15 DF Scotland Neill Collins 14 February 2012 Huddersfield Town Galpharm Stadium [155]

Competitive fixture[edit]

First ever meeting of the two clubs in a competitive fixture.

Opposition Date Venue Result Score Notes
Yeovil Town 27 August 2011 Huish Park Win 0–1 [156]
Burton Albion 30 August 2011 Pirelli Stadium Win 1–2 Football League Trophy[157]
Stevenage 5 November 2011 The Lamex Stadium Loss 2–1 [158]
Salisbury City 7 January 2012 Bramall Lane Win 3–1 FA Cup[159]

Stadia[edit]

First ever visit to a stadium for a competitive fixture

Venue Opposition Date Result Score Notes
Huish Park Yeovil Town 27 August 2011 Win 0–1 [160]
Pirelli Stadium Burton Albion 30 August 2011 Win 1–2 Football League Trophy[161]
Adams Park Wycombe Wanderers 24 September 2011 Loss 1–0 [162]
Don Valley Stadium Rotherham United 4 October 2011 Win 1–2 Football League Trophy[163]
The Lamex Stadium Stevenage 5 November 2011 Loss 2–1 [164]
B2net Stadium Chesterfield 26 November 2011 Win 0–1 [165]
Colchester Community Stadium Colchester United 13 March 2012 Draw 1–1 [166]
Stadium mk Milton Keynes Dons 21 April 2012 Loss 1–0 [167]

Squad statistics[edit]

Appearances and goals[edit]

As of 26 May 2012[1]
No. Pos Nat Player Total League One / Play-offs FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Steve Simonsen 54 0 47+0 0 4+0 0 2+0 0 1+0 0
2 DF England ENG Matthew Lowton 55 6 47+0 6 3+0 0 2+0 0 2+1 0
3 DF Haiti HAI Lecsinel Jean-François 31 0 22+3 0 2+1 0 2+0 0 1+0 0
4 MF Scotland SCO Nick Montgomery 25 1 16+6 1 1+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
5 DF England ENG Chris Morgan 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
6 MF Austria AUT Johannes Ertl 9 0 2+6 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
8 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Michael Doyle 54 3 42+4 3 4+0 0 2+0 0 2+0 0
9 FW Wales WAL Ched Evans 43 35 30+6 29 4+0 5 0+0 0 2+1 1
10 FW England ENG James Beattie 19 0 2+16 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
11 MF Scotland SCO Ryan Flynn 34 4 16+12 3 1+2 1 1+0 0 2+0 0
13 GK England ENG Mark Howard 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
14 MF Jamaica JAM Lee Williamson 48 13 34+9 13 3+0 0 2+0 0 0+0 0
15 DF Scotland SCO Neill Collins 54 2 45+0 2 4+0 0 2+0 0 3+0 0
16 DF England ENG Andy Taylor 5 0 4+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
17 FW England ENG Richard Cresswell 51 10 33+11 9 3+1 0 2+0 1 1+0 0
18 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Matthew Harriott 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+1 0
19 DF England ENG Harry Maguire 56 1 47+0 1 4+0 0 2+0 0 3+0 0
20 MF Republic of Ireland IRL David McAllister 10 1 3+1 0 1+1 0 0+2 0 1+1 1
21 FW England ENG Chris Porter 45 8 20+17 6 1+2 1 0+1 0 3+1 1
22 FW England ENG Danny Philliskirk 3 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 1+1 0
23 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Seamus Conneely 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
24 MF Norway NOR Erik Tønne 4 2 0+2 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+2 1
25 GK England ENG George Long 4 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
27 MF Scotland SCO Kevin McDonald 38 3 32+1 3 2+1 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
28 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Quinn 53 4 46+2 3 3+0 0 2+0 1 0+0 0
29 FW Scotland SCO Michael O'Halloran 8 0 1+7 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
30 DF England ENG Marcus Williams 23 0 15+4 0 2+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
31 FW England ENG Jordan Chapell 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
32 DF England ENG Matt Hill 15 0 15+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
DF England ENG Terry Kennedy 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
DF Australia AUS Marc Warren 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
Players who left before the end of the season:
7 MF England ENG Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 11 1 4+4 1 0+0 0 1+0 0 1+1 0
7 FW England ENG Will Hoskins 12 2 4+8 2 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
10 FW Malta MLT Daniel Bogdanović 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
12 FW England ENG Jordan Slew 6 1 3+1 1 0+0 0 0+1 0 1+0 0
13 GK Estonia EST Mihkel Aksalu 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
26 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Billy Clarke 6 1 5+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
26 DF Republic of Ireland IRL John Egan 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
32 MF Scotland SCO Matt Phillips 7 6 5+1 5 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 1
33 DF Argentina ARG Elian Parrino 2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0

Top scorers[edit]

Place Number Nation Position Name League One Playoffs FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy Total
1 9 Wales FW Ched Evans 29 0 5 0 1 35
2 14 Jamaica MF Lee Williamson 13 0 0 0 0 13
3 17 England FW Richard Cresswell 9 0 0 1 0 10
4 21 England FW Chris Porter 5 1 1 0 1 8
5 2 England DF Matthew Lowton 6 0 0 0 0 6
32 Scotland MF Matt Phillips 5 0 0 0 1 6
6 28 Republic of Ireland MF Stephen Quinn 4 0 0 1 0 5
7 8 Republic of Ireland MF Michael Doyle 2 0 0 0 0 3
11 Scotland MF Ryan Flynn 2 0 1 0 0 3
27 Scotland MF Kevin McDonald 3 0 0 0 0 3
8 15 Scotland DF Neill Collins 2 0 0 0 0 2
7 England FW Will Hoskins 2 0 0 0 0 2
24 Norway MF Erik Tønne 1 0 0 0 1 2
9 26 Republic of Ireland FW Billy Clarke 1 0 0 0 0 1
19 England DF Harry Maguire 1 0 0 0 0 1
20 Republic of Ireland MF David McAllister 0 0 0 0 1 1
7 England MF Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 1 0 0 0 0 1
4 Scotland MF Nick Montgomery 1 0 0 0 0 1
12 England FW Jordan Slew 1 0 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 82 1 7 2 5 99

Five additional own goals scored during the season, three in The Football League and two in the FA Cup.

Disciplinary record[edit]

Number Nation Position Name League One Playoffs FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy Total
Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
19 England DF Harry Maguire 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
14 Jamaica MF Lee Williamson 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2 England DF Matthew Lowton 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
27 Scotland MF Kevin McDonald 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 8 0
28 Republic of Ireland MF Stephen Quinn 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
17 England FW Richard Cresswell 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
9 Wales FW Ched Evans 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
10 England FW James Beattie 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
8 Republic of Ireland MF Michael Doyle 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
3 Haiti DF Lecsinel Jean-François 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0
15 Scotland DF Neill Collins 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
4 Scotland MF Nick Montgomery 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1 England GK Steve Simonsen 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
11 Scotland MF Ryan Flynn 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
21 England FW Chris Porter 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
30 England DF Marcus Williams 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
32 England DF Matt Hill 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
20 Republic of Ireland MF David McAllister 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
28 England FW Jordan Slew 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 69 4 2 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 79 4

Suspensions[edit]

Squad # Position Player Suspension Start date Reason Source
3 DF Haiti Lecsinel Jean-François 1 game 10 September 2011 Five yellow cards to date [168]
14 MF Jamaica Lee Williamson 1 game 17 December 2011 Five yellow cards to date [169]
17 FW England Richard Cresswell 1 game 27 December 2011 Five yellow cards to date [170]
28 MF Republic of Ireland Stephen Quinn 1 game 27 December 2011 Five yellow cards to date [170]
10 FW England James Beattie 3 games 21 January 2012 Straight red card – violent conduct [171]
2 DF England Matthew Lowton 1 game 3 March 2012 Two yellow cards [172]
19 DF England Harry Maguire 1 game 3 March 2012 Straight red card [172]
10 FW England James Beattie 4 games 5 May 2012 Straight red card (2nd of season) [173]

Date of start of suspension assumed to be the date of the game during which the disciplinary incident occurred.

International Call-ups[edit]

No. P Name Squad Competition Opposition Date Cap Goals Notes
GK George Willis England England U17[174] 2012 U17 European
Championship qualification		 Latvia Latvia U17 26 October 2011 Y 0
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina U17 28 October 2011 Y 0
Netherlands Netherlands U17 31 October 2011 N 0 Unused sub
3 DF Lecsinel Jean-François Haiti Haiti[175] 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda 11 November 2011 Y 0
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda 15 November 2011 Y 0

Matches[edit]

Key[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Football League One[edit]

6 August 2011 Oldham Athletic 0–2 Sheffield United Boundary Park
15:00 (Report) Maguire 48'
Cresswell 54'		 Attendance: 8,032
13 August 2011 Sheffield United 2–0 Brentford Bramall Lane
15:00 Slew 49'
Cresswell 70'		 (Report) Attendance: 17,769
16 August 2011 Sheffield United 3–2 Walsall Bramall Lane
19:45 Lowton 59'
Williamson 68'
Cresswell 74' (pen.)		 (Report) Hurst 46'
Grigg 51'		 Attendance: 16,443
20 August 2011 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Sheffield United Prenton Park
15:00 Labadie 80' (Report) Montgomery 44' Attendance: 6,244
27 August 2011 Yeovil Town 0–1 Sheffield United Huish Park
13:00 Haynes-Brown Yellow card 90+7' Yellow-red card (Report) Porter 41' Attendance: 5,001
3 September 2011 Sheffield United 4–0 Bury Bramall Lane
15:00 Porter 43'
Mendez-Laing 47'
Lowton 71'
Tønne 84'		 (Report) Attendance: 17,956
10 September 2011 Scunthorpe United 1–1 Sheffield United Glanford Park
15:00 Dagnall 45+1'
Barcham Red card 24'		 (Report) Evans 72' Attendance: 6,042
13 September 2011 Sheffield United 0–3 Huddersfield Town Bramall Lane
19:45 (Report) Novak 20', 37'
Gobern 40'		 Attendance: 17,373
17 September 2011 Sheffield United 3–0 Colchester United Bramall Lane
15:00 Evans 3'
Porter 12'
Quinn 72'		 (Report) Attendance: 15,783
24 September 2011 Wycombe Wanderers 1–0 Sheffield United Adams Park
15:00 Beavon 31' (Report) Attendance: 5,506
1 October 2011 Sheffield United 0–2 Charlton Athletic Bramall Lane
15:00 (Report) Kermorgant 65'
Wright-Phillips 67'		 Attendance: 20,743
16 October 2011 Sheffield United 2–2 Sheffield Wednesday Bramall Lane
12:00 Quinn 11'
Evans 20'		 (Report) O'Grady 82'
Madine 86'		 Attendance: 28,136
19 October 2011 Preston North End 2–4 Sheffield United Deepdale
19:45 Carlisle 29'
Hume 63'		 (Report) Phillips 4', 39'
Williamson 74', 87'		 Attendance: 11,520
22 October 2011 Leyton Orient 1–1 Sheffield United Matchroom Stadium
15:00 Lisbie 90+6'
Daniels Red card 73'		 (Report) Porter 84' Attendance: 5,928
25 October 2011 Sheffield United 2–1 Milton Keynes Dons Bramall Lane
19:45 Cresswell 22'
Phillips 67'		 (Report) Gleeson 52'
Smith Yellow card 84' Yellow-red card		 Attendance: 16,367
29 October 2011 Sheffield United 4–4 Exeter City Bramall Lane
15:00 Phillips 45', 85'
Clarke 65'
Lowton 85'		 (Report) Nardiello 9'
Noble 23'
O'Flynn 82'
Dunne 86'		 Attendance: 17,052
5 November 2011 Stevenage 2–1 Sheffield United The Lamex Stadium
15:00 Roberts 42'
Laird 82' (pen.)		 (Report) Evans 68' Attendance: 4,996
19 November 2011 Sheffield United 1–0 Carlisle United Bramall Lane
15:00 Evans 21' (Report) Attendance: 16,840
26 November 2011 Chesterfield 0–1 Sheffield United B2net Stadium
13:00 (Report) Evans 82' Attendance: 9,259
10 December 2011 Sheffield United 3–0 Rochdale Bramall Lane
15:00 Evans 39', 64'
Cresswell 57'		 (Report) Attendance: 15,892
17 December 2011 Bournemouth 0–2 Sheffield United Dean Court
15:00 (Report) Barrett 5' (o.g.)
Cook 77' (o.g.)		 Attendance: 7,260
26 December 2011 Sheffield United 2–1 Notts County Bramall Lane
14:15 Flynn 31'
Sheehan 51' (o.g.)		 (Report) Judge 17'
Demontagnac Red card 90+4'		 Attendance: 20,538
31 December 2011 Sheffield United 3–1 Hartlepool United Bramall Lane
13:00 Flynn 12'
Porter 34'
Evans 42'		 (Report) Hartley 90+3' Attendance: 20,372
2 January 2012 Carlisle United 3–2 Sheffield United Brunton Park
15:00 Zoko 2', 15'
McGovern 71'		 (Report) Evans 7', 45+1' Attendance: 7,721
10 January 2011 Sheffield United 4–0 Yeovil Town Bramall Lane
19:45 Cresswell 18'
Doyle 36'
Williamson 48', 87'		 (Report) Attendance: 15,965
14 January 2012 Bury 0–3 Sheffield United Gigg Lane
15:00 (Report) Cresswell 54'
Evans 62'
Williamson 81'		 Attendance: 6,970
21 January 2012 Charlton Athletic 1–0 Sheffield United The Valley
15:00 Jackson 21'
Russell Red card 85'		 (Report) Beattie Red card 86' Attendance: 20,992
11 February 2012 Sheffield United 3–0 Wycombe Wanderers Bramall Lane
15:00 Hoskins 66'
Evans 73'
McDonald 90'		 (Report) Attendance: 17,165
14 February 2012 Huddersfield Town 0–1 Sheffield United Galpharm Stadium
19:45 (Report) Collins 5' Attendance: 17,320
18 February 2012 Sheffield United 2–1 Preston North End Bramall Lane
15:00 Evans 42', 53' (Report) Cummins 38' Attendance: 17,579
26 February 2012 Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 Sheffield United Hillsborough Stadium
13:00 O'Grady 73' (Report) Attendance: 36,364
29 February 2012 Sheffield United 2–1 Scunthorpe United Bramall Lane
19:45 Williamson 54'
Quinn 82'		 (Report) Duffy 31'
Togwell Red card 37'		 Attendance: 16,165
3 March 2012 Sheffield United 2–3 Oldham Athletic Bramall Lane
15:00 Lowton 22'
Evans 38'
Lowton Yellow card 66' Yellow-red card
Maguire Red card 90'		 (Report) Cresswell 65' (o.g.)
Lee 69'
Kuqi 90' (pen.)		 Attendance: 17,267
6 March 2012 Walsall 3–2 Sheffield United Bescot Stadium
19:45 Mantom 55'
Macken 73'
Nicholls 81'		 (Report) Williamson 65'
Evans 76'		 Attendance: 5,003
10 March 2012 Brentford 0–2 Sheffield United Griffin Park
15:00 (Report) Evans 6', 51' Attendance: 7,414
13 March 2012 Colchester United 1–1 Sheffield United Colchester Community Stadium
19:45 Gillespie 56' (Report) Hoskins 32' Attendance: 4,572
17 March 2012 Sheffield United 1–1 Tranmere Rovers Bramall Lane
15:00 Evans 32' (Report) Akins 54' Attendance: 17,444
20 March 2012 Notts County 2–5 Sheffield United Meadow Lane
19:45 Judge 77'
Bishop Yellow card 80' Yellow-red card
Kelly 90+1'		 (Report) Quinn 16'
Evans 22'
Lowton 27'
Collins 45+1'
Williamson 89'		 Attendance: 9,468
28 March 2012 Sheffield United 4–1 Chesterfield Bramall lane
19:45 Williamson 38'
Evans 49' (pen.), 60', 63'		 (Report) Moussa 44' Attendance: 20,159
31 March 2012 Hartlepool United 0–1 Sheffield United Victoria Park
15:00 Hartley