It’s the turn of Sheffield United’s ‘UTB’ programme to go under the spotlight, as we publish our latest review. The Blades’ issue took our Silver Award last season, being beaten to the top prize only by Norwich City’s programme. Read our full notes on this season’s issue below, and click here to see all the 2020/21 top-flight programmes.
Sheffield United’s ‘UTB’ returns in the form of another highly impressive 100-page perfect-bound issue, which retains the looks and feel of the programme that took our Silver Award last season.
The amount of original content in the Blades’ programme is especially notable, with a diverse range of features packed into each issue. These include a series of articles under the ‘United in History’ heading, which provide a great deal of worthwhile reading. ‘Fables & Folklore’ for example sees Blades historian John Garrett, taking a look at one of the more unusual facets of the club’s past.
‘Seasons in English Football’ turns the spotlight on one season since the start of the Football League, noting Sheffield United’s fortunes and other key developments within the English game. ‘Lost Wonders of Football’ focuses on one aspect of football no longer in the game, while ‘Blades in Print’ seeks out articles about the club from the archives.
There are two pages devoted to items of club memorabilia – some sent in by supporters with others taken from the club’s archives, often showcasing some terrific old programmes. ‘He Shoots He Scores’ delves into the archives to highlight a memorable goal from a United player, giving the background to the strike and the outcome. Each issue also features an extended interview with a former player, including action pics from his time with the club, which complement an always interesting discussion.
Several of the historical features are connected to the day’s opponents on the field. ‘Kit Clash’ pairs up popular retro strips from United and their matchday opponents. ‘The Return of the Ex’ looks at former United players who became renowned for scoring against their old clubs, and Paul Holland recalls games against the visitors – one win, one loss, and one draw from down the years.
In addition, UTB also includes various contemporary features. The main current player interview is spread across eight pages, uninterrupted by adverts. ‘Arty Bianco’ celebrates the work of local artists and Blades fan Nick Bianco, and there is a two-page section for junior United fans.
The opposition section of the programme is spread over eight pages, kicking off with a striking design for the opening double-page spread, which uses a picture of the club’s stadium and their official crest. There are detailed profiles of the club’s manager and one player, with briefer profiles of three other players, as well as notes on the last meeting between the two teams, and ‘Opposition in Numbers’, which picks out various figures of significance to the visitors. There are also notes on a club legend and ‘Managing to Succeed’, which profiles several leading managers to have taken charge of the club. The whole section is well presented, with intelligent use made of the visiting club’s colours to help the section stand out.
Club information is extensive, including a page of news, results, and fixtures for the club’s under-18s, under-23s, and women’s teams, under the heading ‘All Blades Aren’t We’. There are seven pages of club and league stats including the usual two-page season spread, and a column on topical figures from Blades’ stats man Andrew Kirkham in ‘Stats All Folks’. There are two pages on the club’s community work, while ‘The Story So Far’ provides a diary like record of events at Bramall Lane, including match details, signings, and developments within the league. Previous matches are well covered in ‘Match Action’, which provides line-up details, brief notes, and match stats.
This is a hugely impressive issue from Sheffield United, offering extensive reading as well as a detailed look at all levels of the club. There are few programmes elsewhere in English football that offer the range of content included in UTB, with each issue offering up fascinating insights into the club’s past.