2015–16 Sheffield United F.C. season

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.

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)

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 2015LWMartyn Woolford MillwallFree transfer[5]
25 July 2015CFBilly Sharp Leeds UnitedUndisclosed[6]
26 August 2015DFJake Phillips Llandudno[7]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2015CBSam Berry Alfreton Town [lower-alpha 1]Free transfer[9]
1 July 2015CMBen Davies Portsmouth [lower-alpha 2]Free transfer[9]
1 July 2015CMMichael Doyle Portsmouth [lower-alpha 3]Free transfer[9]
1 July 2015MFJason PalingAlfreton TownFree transfer[9][12]
1 July 2015MFKyle ScarisbrickFree AgentReleased[9]
1 July 2015GKIain Turner Tranmere Rovers [lower-alpha 4]Released[9]
14 August 2015CFJamie Murphy Brighton & Hove Albion£1,500,000[14][15]
11 March 2016CBNeill Collins Tampa Bay RowdiesReleased[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: £1,500,000

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
25 July 2015CFConor Sammon Derby CountyEnd of season[6]
10 August 2015CBDavid Edgar Birmingham CityEnd of season[17]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
7 August 2015AMDominic Calvert-Lewin Northampton TownJanuary 2016[18]
29 August 2015AMDavid Brooks FC Halifax Town27 September 2015[19]
29 August 2015RWCJ Hamilton FC Halifax Town27 September 2015[19]
3 September 2015GKGeorge Willis Matlock Town3 October 2015[20]
11 September 2015DFJulian Banton FC Halifax Town10 October 2015[21]
23 September 2015CFMichael Higdon Oldham Athletic19 December 2015[22]

Contracts

New contracts and contract extensions.

Player Date Length Contracted until Ref.
Diego De Girolamo 13 July 2015 2 Year Summer 2017 [4]
Kler Heh July 2015 ? ? [23]
Louis Reed 24 July 2015 3 Year Summer 2018 [24]
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 Nicholls  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 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  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  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  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  21'
    Sammon  59'
    Edgar  63'
    Basham  81'
    Long  90+3'    		 Report Liddle  83' Stadium: Bramall Lane
    Attendance: 24,777
    Referee: Mark Haywood
    2 January 2016 (2016-01-02) 24 Sheffield United 2–3 Peterborough United Sheffield
    15:00 GMT Sharp  32' (pen.)
    McEveley  51'
    Hammond  67'
    Baldwin  84' (o.g.)    		 Report Washington  18'
    Ricardo  38'
    Fox  41'
    Oztumer  48'
    Samuelsen  84'    		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
    Attendance: 22,302
    Referee: Darren Bond
    12 January 2016 (2016-01-12) 25 Wigan Athletic 3–3 Sheffield United Wigan
    19:45 GMT Stadium: DW Stadium
    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  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  88'
    Wallace  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
    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  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
    Grant
    Ball
    Ryan
    Haughton    		 Baxter
    Sharp
    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. "Diego De Girolamo: Sheffield United forward signs two-year deal". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
    5. "Martyn Woolford: Sheffield United sign ex-Millwall midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
    6. "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. "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. "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.
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