2015–16 Sheffield United F.C. season
| 2015–16 season | |||
| Chairman | David Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Nigel Adkins | ||
| Stadium | Bramall Lane | ||
| League One | 10th | ||
| FA Cup | 
Third Round Proper (eliminated by Manchester United)  | ||
| League Cup | 
Second Round (eliminated by Fulham)  | ||
| FL Trophy | 
Northern Area Quarter Finals (eliminated by Fleetwood Town)  | ||
  | |||
The 2015–16 season will be Sheffield United's 127th season in their history and their fifth consecutive season in League One.[1] Along with League One, the club will also compete 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."[2] After having an enquiry about Bradford City's Phil Parkinson to succeed Clough,[3] on 2 June Nigel Adkins was installed as Sheffield United's new manager.[4] On 13 July, Diego De Girolamo signed a new two-year contract with the Blades, having initially rejecting a new offer.[5] 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.[6]
Transfers
Transfers in
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 July 2015 | LW |   | Martyn Woolford |   | Free transfer | [6] | 
| 25 July 2015 | CF |   | Billy Sharp |   | Undisclosed | [7] | 
| 26 August 2015 | DF |   | Jake Phillips |   | [8] | |
Transfers out
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2015 | CB |   | Sam Berry |   | Free transfer | [10] | 
| 1 July 2015 | CM |   | Ben Davies |   | Free transfer | [10] | 
| 1 July 2015 | CM |   | Michael Doyle |   | Free transfer | [10] | 
| 1 July 2015 | MF |   | Jason Paling | Alfreton Town | Free transfer | [10][13] | 
| 1 July 2015 | MF |   | Kyle Scarisbrick | Free Agent | Released | [10] | 
| 1 July 2015 | GK |   | Iain Turner |   | Released | [10] | 
| 14 August 2015 | CF |   | Jamie Murphy |   | £1,500,000 | [15][16] | 
| 11 March 2016 | CB |   | Neill Collins |   | Released | [17] | 
Total income: 
 £1,500,000
Loans in
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date until | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 July 2015 | CF |   | Conor Sammon |   | End of season | [7] | 
| 10 August 2015 | CB |   | David Edgar |   | End of season | [18] | 
Loans out
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date until | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 August 2015 | AM |   | Dominic Calvert-Lewin |   | January 2016 | [19] | 
| 29 August 2015 | AM |   | David Brooks |   | 27 September 2015 | [20] | 
| 29 August 2015 | RW |   | CJ Hamilton |   | 27 September 2015 | [20] | 
| 3 September 2015 | GK |   | George Willis |   | 3 October 2015 | [21] | 
| 11 September 2015 | DF |   | Julian Banton |   | 10 October 2015 | [22] | 
| 23 September 2015 | CF |   | Michael Higdon |   | 19 December 2015 | [23] | 
Contracts
New contracts and contract extensions.
| Player | Date | Length | Contracted until | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
|   | 
13 July 2015 | 2 Year | Summer 2017 | [5] | 
|   | 
July 2015 | ? | ? | [24] | 
|   | 
24 July 2015 | 3 Year | Summer 2018 | [25] | 
|   | 
25 August 2015 | 3 Year | Summer 2018 | [26] | 
Competitions
Pre-season friendlies
On 4 June 2015, Sheffield United announce they will play Newcastle United for Chris Morgan's testimonial.[27] On 9 June 2015, a confirmed list of the club's pre-season schedule was released.[28]
| 18 July 2015 Friendly | Ilkeston | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Ilkeston | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST | Report |  Calvert-Lewin  | 
 Stadium: New Manor Ground Attendance: 1,278  | 
| 21 July 2015 Friendly | Cheltenham Town | 1–3 | Sheffield United | Cheltenham | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 BST |  Morgan-Smith  | 
Report |  Adams  Higdon Baxter  | 
 Stadium: Whaddon Road Attendance: 1,247 (236 Blades fans)  | 
| 23 July 2015 Friendly | Exeter City | 1–2 | Sheffield United | Exeter | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 BST | Nicholls | Report |  Collins Adams  | 
 Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,122 (192 Blades fans)  | 
| 26 July 2015 Chris Morgan Testimonial | Sheffield United | 2–2 | Newcastle United | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 BST |  McNulty  Freeman  | 
Report |  Wijnaldum  de Jong  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane | 
| 29 July 2015 Friendly | Macclesfield Town | 0–4 | Sheffield United | Macclesfield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 BST | Report |  Diagne  Sharp Adams  | 
 Stadium: Moss Rose Attendance: 999 (551 Blades)  | 
| 2 August 2015 Friendly | Sheffield United | 1–1 | Hull City | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Murphy  | 
Report |  Hernández  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane | 
League One
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Gillingham | 45 | 19 | 12 | 14 | 70 | 54 | +16 | 69 | 
| 9 | Coventry City | 45 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 65 | 49 | +16 | 66 | 
| 10 | Sheffield United | 45 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 64 | 57 | +7 | 66 | 
| 11 | Rochdale | 45 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 66 | 60 | +6 | 66 | 
| 12 | Port Vale | 45 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 56 | 53 | +3 | 65 | 
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results by matchday
| Matchday | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | 
| Result | L | W | W | W | W | L | L | D | W | D | L | W | D | W | L | L | D | D | L | D | W | W | W | L | D | W | D | D | L | W | L | W | L | L | D | W | L | W | L | W | D | W | W | D | L | |
| Position | 24 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 
Last updated: 2 May 2016.
Source: Statto.com
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.
Matches
| 8 August 2015 1 | Gillingham | 4–0 | Sheffield United | Gillingham | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Osadabe  Oshilaja Egan Dack  | 
Report |  Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 7,511 Referee: Lee Collins  | 
| 15 August 2015 2 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Chesterfield | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Adams  | 
Report |  Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 5,836 Referee: Kevin Wright  | 
| 18 August 2015 3 | Peterborough United | 1–3 | Sheffield United | Peterborough | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 BST |  Coulibaly  | 
Report |  Sammon  Baxter  | 
 Stadium: London Road Attendance: 6,526 Referee: Nigel Miller  | 
| 22 August 2015 4 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Blackpool | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Sharp  McNulty  | 
Report |  Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 5,224 Referee: Darren Dreadman  | 
| 29 August 2015 5 | Swindon Town | 0–2 | Sheffield United | Swindon | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST | Report |  Collins  Sharp  | 
 Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 8,614 Referee: Chris Sarginson  | 
| 12 September 2015 6 | Sheffield United | 1–3 | Bury | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Sharp  | 
Report |  Pope  Riley L. Clarke  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 20,708 Referee: David Webb  | 
| 15 September 2015 7 | Sheffield United | 2–3 | Colchester United | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 BST |  Sharp  Woolford  | 
Report |  Moncur  Sordell Elokobi  | 
 Stadium: Brammall Lane Attendance: 17,623 Referee: Darren Handley  | 
| 20 September 2015 8 | Bradford City | 2–2 | Sheffield United | Bradford | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 BST |  Meredith  Cole  | 
Report |  Meredith  Sharp  | 
 Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 19,317 Referee: Neil Swarbrick  | 
| 26 September 2015 9 | Sheffield United | 3–1 | Doncaster Rovers | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Basham  Sammon Sharp  | 
Report |  Stewart  MacKenzie  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 20,869 Referee: Mark Heywood  | 
| 29 September 2015 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 11 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Sheffield United | Burslem | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 |  Moore  Ikpeazu  | 
Report |  Done  | 
 Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 6,822 Referee: Graham Salisbury  | 
| 10 October 2015 12 | Sheffield United | 3–2 | Rochdale | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Adams  Collins  | 
Report |  Vincenti  Alessandra  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 19,039 Referee: Oliver Langford  | 
| 17 October 2015 13 | Oldham Athletic | 1–1 | Sheffield United | Oldham | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 BST |  Philliskirk  Burn  | 
Report |  Done  | 
 Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 5,743 Referee: Kevin Wright  | 
| 20 October 2015 14 | Sheffield United | 3–0 | Fleetwood | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 BST |  Adams  Sharp  | 
Report |  Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 17,879 Referee: Eddie Ilderton  | 
| 24 October 2015 15 | Sheffield United | 1–2 | Millwall | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:15 BST |  Baxter  | 
Report |  O'Brien  O'Brien  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 19,617 Referee: Andy Haines  | 
| 31 October 2015 16 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–0 | Sheffield United | Crewe | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT |  Colclough  | 
Report |  Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 5,227 Referee: Fred Graham  | 
| 14 November 2015 17 | Sheffield United | 2–2 | Southend | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT |  Baxter  Collins  | 
Report |  Leonard  Payne  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 19,007 Referee: Scott Duncan  | 
| 21 November 2015 18 | Walsall | 1–1 | Sheffield United | Bescot | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT |  Bradshaw  | 
Report |  Baxter  | 
 Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,780 Referee: Geoff Eltringham  | 
| 24 November 2015 19 | Sheffield United | 2–4 | Shrewsbury | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 GMT |  Sammon  Hammond  | 
Report |  Kaikai  Black Vernon Collins  | 
 Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 17,843 Referee: Richard Clark  | 
| 28 November 2015 20 | Barnsley | 1–1 | Sheffield United | Barnsley | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:15 GMT |  Hourihane  | 
Report |  Basham  | 
 Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 13,571 Referee: Neil Swarbrick  | 
| 13 December 2015 21 | Sheffield United | 1–0 | Coventry City | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 GMT |  Sharp  | 
Report |  Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 18,074 Referee: Iain Williamson  | 
| 19 December 2015 22 | Scunthorpe United | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Scunthorpe | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT | Report |  Sharp  | 
 Stadium: Glanford Park Attendance: 5,150 Referee: Andy Haines  | 
| 26 December 2015 Postponed | Wigan Athletic | P–P | Sheffield United | Wigan | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT | Report |  Stadium: DW Stadium | 
FA Cup
| 7 November 2015 First Round Proper | Sheffield United | 3–0 | Worcester City | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT |  Baxter  Sammon Freeman  | 
Report |  Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 11,108 Referee: Simon Bennett  | 
| 5 December 2015 Second Round Proper | Sheffield United | 1–0 | Oldham Athletic | Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 GMT |  Done  Adams  | 
Report |  Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 6,938 Referee: Eddie Ilderton  | 
| 9 January 2016 Third Round Proper | Manchester United | 1–0 | Sheffield United | Manchester | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:30 GMT |  Rooney  | 
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.[29] In the second round, the Blades were drawn away to Fulham.[30]
| 11 August 2015 First round | Morecambe | 0–1 | Sheffield United | Morecambe | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 BST | Report |  Collins  | 
 Stadium: Globe Arena Attendance: 2,168 Referee: Steve Martin  | 
| 25 August 2015 Second round | Fulham | 3–0 | Sheffield United | Fulham | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 BST |  McCormack  Dembélé  | 
Report |  Baxter  Wallace  | 
 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.[31] In the second round draw, made on 5 September 2015, the Blades were drawn at home to Notts County.[32]
| 1 September 2015 First Round (Northern Area) | Hartlepool United |  1–1 (3–4 p)  | 
Sheffield United | Hartlepool | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 BST |  Fenwick  | 
Report |  Flynn  | 
 Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 2,221 Referee: Scott Duncan  | 
| Penalties | ||||
| Bingham  Oates Harrison Fenwick Featherstone  | 
Higdon  Sharp McNulty Woolford McEveley  | 
| 6 October 2015 Second Round (Northern Area) | Sheffield United | 5–1 | Notts County | Bramall Lane, Sheffield | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 BST |  Baxter  Done Scougall Adams  | 
Report |  Stead  | 
  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 | ||||
References
- ↑ "History". Statto.
 - ↑ "Nigel Clough: Sheffield United sack manager". BBC Sport. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
 - ↑ "Phil Parkinson: Bradford City reject Sheffield United approach for boss". BBC Sport. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
 - ↑ "Nigel Adkins: Sheffield United appoint ex-Southampton boss". BBC Sport. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
 - 1 2 "Diego De Girolamo: Sheffield United forward signs two-year deal". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
 - 1 2 "Martyn Woolford: Sheffield United sign ex-Millwall midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
 - 1 2 "Double swoop". Sheffield United FC. 25 July 2015.
 - ↑ "FOOTBALL: MBi Llandudno full-back Jake Phillips seals Sheffield United move". North Wales Pioneer. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Alfreton Town sign Sam Berry on one-year deal". Yorkshire Evening Post. 23 June 2015.
 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Senior trio leave the Lane". Sheffield United FC. 15 May 2015.
 - ↑ "Ben Davies: Portsmouth sign versatile ex-Sheffield United player". BBC Sport. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Michael Doyle: Portsmouth sign ex-Sheffield United midfielder". BBC Sport. 6 July 2015.
 - ↑ "Alfreton Town: Former Sheffield United youngster joins Reds". Derby Telegraph. 7 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Tranmere Rovers sign former Everton FC goalkeeper Iain Turner". Liverpool Echo. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Murphy moves on". Sheffield United FC. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Albion bring in winger on four-year deal". The Argus. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Neill heads Stateside". SUFC.co.uk. 11 March 2016.
 - ↑ "Boss bolsters defensive options". Sheffield United FC. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Sheffield United striker joins Northampton". BBC Sport. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
 - 1 2 "U21 duo head to Halifax". Sheffield United FC. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Keeper out on loan". Sheffield United FC. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
 - ↑ "Banton joins Halifax". Sheffield United FC Official Website. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
 - ↑ "Striker heads out on-loan". Sheffield United FC. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
 - ↑ "Sheffield United award former Thai refugee with first professional contract". The Guardian. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
 - ↑ "Louis Reed: Sheffield United midfielder signs new deal". BBC Sport. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
 - ↑ "Che Adams: Sheffield United striker signs new contract". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Toon provide Morgan's Testimonial opposition". Sheffield United FC. 4 June 2015.
 - ↑ "Pre-season fixtures confirmed". Sheffield United FC. 9 June 2015.
 - ↑ "Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw". Capital One Cup. 16 June 2015.
 - ↑ "Capital One Cup Round 2 draw". Capital One Cup. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Away tie in JPT". Sheffield United FC. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
 - ↑ "Johnstone's Paint Trophy Second Round Draw". The Football League. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
 
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