Sheffield United Icon Billy Sharp Calls Time on Remarkable 22-Year Career

Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, bringing the curtain down on a prolific 22-year career that yielded 299 goals.

A journeyman who became a one-club icon, Sharp represented Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Hull City, Scunthorpe United, Reading, Doncaster Rovers, and Rushden & Diamonds. He had been a free agent since departing Doncaster at the end of last season, exiting on a high note with a hat-trick against Peterborough in his final appearance.

“I’m going to hang my boots up. I’ve given it a good ride. I’ve got a long way, got to 40,” Sharp told Sky Sports. “I wanted to go out on my own terms. I’ve seen many friends get taken away by injury and things like that. I wanted to go out with a bang and luckily for me, I got a hat-trick in my last appearance.”

Reflecting on his playing style, he added: “I’m maybe not the most talented player, maybe not the most liked on the pitch but that’s because I love football. I’m passionate and I think I’ve got every single bit out of my career. I’ve made memories in football that will last me a lifetime.”

A boyhood Blades supporter, Sharp made his Championship debut as a substitute against Watford in November 2004. He evolved into club captain and a talismanic figure in three separate promotion-winning campaigns: from League One in 2017 and the Championship in 2019 and 2023. Across three spells at Bramall Lane, he netted 129 goals, cementing his status as a club icon. He also featured in the Southampton side that secured promotion to the Premier League in 2012.

Following a brief stint with LA Galaxy in MLS during 2023—a move many assumed would precede retirement—Sharp returned to Yorkshire to extend his career, first with Hull City and then Doncaster Rovers. He scored a dramatic late winner against Bradford City to clinch promotion to League One for Rovers in 2024, before his fairytale finish last season saw him become the only player to score EFL hat-tricks in his teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s. A fourth goal against Peterborough, which would have brought his career tally to 300, was ruled out for offside.

“It would have been lovely to have got that 300th goal on that day but I’ve had an unbelievable career,” he said.

Sharp has since joined Baller League outfit N5, managed by former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, to play six-a-side football. He also has his sights set on management having completed his coaching badges.

Source link