# 2009–10 Sheffield United F.C. season

The 2009–10 season was Sheffield United's third year in the Football League Championship after being relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

## Kit

Sheffield United's kit manufacturers became Macron. Their shirt sponsor continues as VisitMalta.com.

## Events

* 1 September 2009 – Paddy Kenny is banned for 9 months after failing his drug test.
* 2 October 2009 – Jordan Robertson is sentenced for 32 months after causing death by a car crash, forcing his loan spell at Bury to be cut short.
* 6 November 2009 – Paddy Kenny signs new contract until the summer of 2011.
* 20 November 2009 – Trevor Birch is appointed as Chief Executive.

## League

Sheffield United played their first game of the season in a 0–0 draw against former Premier League side Middlesbrough. Then the Blades beat Watford 2–0 with Ched Evans getting his debut goal. Leicester City held United to a 1–1 draw. They then beat Reading 3–1. This was followed by a thrilling 2–2 draw against West Bromwich Albion with David Cotterill scoring a late penalty. This was followed by a 1–0 win at Derby County with Matthew Kilgallon getting a last minute winner. United suffered their first league defeat of the season against Coventry City, they bounced back in the Steel City Derby which they won 3–2. The Blades suffered another defeat against Swansea City. The Blades started October with a draw against Doncaster Rovers, with Richard Cresswell getting his first goal for the blades. The next two games saw two loses against Scunthorpe United and Blackpool. The Blades continued their losing streak against Cardiff City. A 1–0 defeat at home to Newcastle United, this was followed with a draw against Barnsley. The following game they beat Peterborough United. United got a late win against Bristol City, with Darius Henderson getting his first hat-trick of his career. James Harper scored the only goal in a win over Plymouth Argyle. The Blades were then held to draw with Nottingham Forest. Sheffield then beat Crystal Palace 2–0, with Lee Williamson getting his first goal in a Blade shirt and Quinn got his second of the season. Queens Park Rangers held the Blades to a 1–1 draw. Sheffield then suffer their first defeat since 2 November against Leicester City this was quickly followed by a win over Preston North End.
Their first game of 2010 saw the Blades beat Middlesbrough 1–0 at Bramall Lane. This was followed up by a 3–0 home win against Reading. The Blades were then beaten 3–1 away at West Bromwich Albion.

## FA Cup

In the third round Sheffield United held Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers to a 1–1 draw, resulting in a replay to take place. The Blades won the replay 3–2 at Loftus Road. Premier League Bolton Wanderers knocked out the Blades in the fourth round, beating them 2–0 at the Reebok Stadium.

## League Cup

The first round saw a shock 2–1 home defeat against League Two Port Vale.

## Players
### First-team squad

    Squad at end of season
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 | IRL | Paddy Kenny |
| 2 | DF | ENG | Ryan France |
| 3 | DF | SCO | Gary Naysmith |
| 4 | MF | SCO | Nick Montgomery |
| 5 | DF | ENG | Chris Morgan |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Nyron Nosworthy (on loan from Sunderland) |
| 7 | FW | ENG | Darius Henderson |
| 9 | FW | WAL | Ched Evans |
| 11 | MF | IRL | Mark Yeates |
| 12 | MF | JAM | Lee Williamson |
| 13 | GK | ENG | Ian Bennett |
| 15 | MF | ENG | James Harper |
| 16 | DF | ENG | Andy Taylor |
| 17 | FW | ENG | Richard Cresswell |
| 18 | MF | NIR | Jamie Ward |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 19 | DF | ENG | Jordan Stewart |
| 20 | DF | NED | Marcel Seip (on loan from Plymouth Argyle) |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Kyle Bartley |
| 25 | MF | ENG | Glen Little |
| 26 | DF | ENG | Derek Geary |
| 28 | MF | IRL | Stephen Quinn |
| 30 | GK | EST | Mihkel Aksalu |
| 32 | DF | FIN | Toni Kallio (on loan from Fulham) |
| 33 | DF | ENG | Jonathan Fortune |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Matthew Lowton |
| 35 | FW | ENG | Nathan Foster |
| 36 | DF | ENG | Kingsley James |
| 37 | FW | SEN | Henri Camara |
| 40 | DF | ENG | Phil Roe |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 10 | MF | ENG | Kyel Reid (on loan to Charlton Athletic) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 24 | FW | ENG | Billy Sharp (on loan to Doncaster Rovers) |

### Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Matthew Kilgallon (to Sunderland) |
| 11 | MF | WAL | David Cotterill (to Swansea City) |
| 14 | DF | AUS | David Carney (to FC Twente) |
| 17 | MF | ENG | Lee Hendrie (to Derby County) |
| 20 | MF | ENG | Brian Howard (to Reading) |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Leigh Bromby (to Leeds United) |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Andrew Davies (on loan from Stoke City) |
| 22 | GK | MLT | Justin Haber (to Ferencváros) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 23 | GK | ENG | Mark Bunn (on loan from Blackburn Rovers) |
| 23 | GK | ENG | Steve Simonsen (on loan from Stoke City) |
| 27 | MF | IRL | Keith Treacy (on loan from Blackburn Rovers) |
| 30 | GK | NGA | Carl Ikeme (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers) |
| 31 | DF | ENG | Paul Connolly (on loan from Derby County) |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Kyle Walker (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) |
| 39 | FW | ENG | Jordan Robertson (released) |

## Squad statistics

    As of end of the season
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Championship | Championship | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | IRL | Paddy Kenny | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | MF | ENG | Ryan France | 10 | 0 | 3+6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | SCO | Gary Naysmith | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | SCO | Nick Montgomery | 43 | 1 | 39 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG | Chris Morgan | 40 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | ENG | Darius Henderson | 35 | 12 | 28+4 | 12 | 1+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | WAL | Ched Evans | 36 | 4 | 21+12 | 4 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | IRL | Mark Yeates | 20 | 2 | 11+9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | MF | JAM | Lee Williamson | 23 | 4 | 14+6 | 3 | 2+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | ENG | Ian Bennett | 6 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | ENG | James Harper | 36 | 4 | 31+3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | ENG | Andy Taylor | 30 | 0 | 22+4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | ENG | Richard Cresswell | 34 | 14 | 28+3 | 12 | 2+1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | FW | ENG | Jamie Ward | 31 | 8 | 25+3 | 7 | 1+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | ENG | Jordan Stewart | 23 | 0 | 15+8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | NED | Marcel Seip | 8 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Kyle Bartley | 14 | 0 | 10+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | ENG | Billy Sharp | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 25 | MF | ENG | Glen Little | 18 | 0 | 7+9 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | MF | IRL | Derek Geary | 9 | 0 | 5+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | IRL | Stephen Quinn | 48 | 4 | 38+6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | GK | EST | Mihkel Aksalu | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | FIN | Toni Kallio | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | DF | ENG | Jonathan Fortune | 6 | 1 | 3+2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Matthew Lowton | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | FW | SEN | Henri Camara | 25 | 4 | 9+14 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | FW | ENG | Jordan Robertson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players who left before the end of the season: ||||||||||||
| 6 | DF | ENG | Matthew Kilgallon | 23 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG | Kyel Reid | 8 | 0 | 0+7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | WAL | David Cotterill | 14 | 2 | 3+11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | ENG | Brian Howard | 5 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Leigh Bromby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Andrew Davies | 8 | 0 | 7+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | ENG | Mark Bunn | 35 | 0 | 31+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | ENG | Steve Simonsen | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | IRL | Keith Treacy | 17 | 1 | 12+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | GK | ENG | Carl Ikeme | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | DF | ENG | Paul Connolly | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Kyle Walker | 28 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Disciplinary record

| Number | Pos | Player | | |
| 7 | FW | Darius Henderson | 8 | 1 |
| 5 | DF | Chris Morgan | 10 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | Richard Cresswell | 8 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | Nick Montgomery | 8 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | Stephen Quinn | 8 | 0 |
| 12 | MF | Lee Williamson | 6 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | Andy Taylor | 6 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Nyron Nosworthy | 3 | 1 |
| 9 | FW | Ched Evans | 4 | 0 |
| 34 | DF | Kyle Walker | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | DF | Paul Connolly | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | David Cotterill | 3 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Marcel Seip | 3 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Jamie Ward | 3 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | Mark Bunn | 2 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | James Harper | 2 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | Toni Kallio | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | Jordan Stewart | 2 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | Keith Treacy | 2 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Mark Yeates | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Kyle Bartley | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Andrew Davies | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Brian Howard | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Matthew Kilgallon | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Brian Howard | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | MF | Derek Geary | 1 | 0 |

## Events
### Summer transfers in

| Player | Club | Fee |
| Lee Williamson | Watford | £500,000 |
| Kyle Reid | West Ham United | Free |
| Leigh Bromby | Watford | Undisclosed |
| Andy Taylor | Tranmere Rovers | £400,000 |
| Ched Evans | Manchester City | £3,000,000 |
| Ryan France | Hull City | Free |
| Glen Little | Portsmouth F.C | Free |
| Jordan Stewart | Derby County | Undisclosed |
| Jonathan Fortune | Charlton Athletic | Free |

### Summer transfers out

* * Indicates the player joined the club after being released.
| Player | Club | Fee |
| Ben Starosta | Released | – |
| Ugo Ehiogu | Retired | – |
| Nicky Law | Rotherham United | Free |
| Adam Chapham | Oxford United | Nominal |
| Jamie Annerson | Rotherham United* | Free |
| Keith Quinn | Released | – |
| Kyle Walker | Tottenham Hotspur | Undisclosed |
| Kyle Naughton | Tottenham Hotspur | Undisclosed |
| Sun Jihai | Chengdu Blades* | Free |
| Martin Donelly | Crusaders | Free |
| Aymen Tahar | Ferencvárosi TC | Free |
| Nicky Travis | Central Coast Mariners | Free |
| Mamadou Seck | Released | – |
| David Carney | FC Twente | £500,000 |
| Leigh Bromby | Leeds United | £250,000 |
| Brian Howard | Reading | £500,000 |
| Danny Webber | Portsmouth* | Free |

### Loans in

* ** Indicates that the player returned before the return date.
| Player | Club | Arrival date | Return date |
| Keith Treacy | Blackburn Rovers** | 24 July 2009 | 24 January 2010 (16 Dec 09) |
| Mark Bunn | Blackburn Rovers | 3 August 2009 | End of season |
| Kyle Walker | Tottenham Hotspur** | 22 July 2009 | End of season (2 February 2010) |
| James Harper | Reading | 1 September 2009 | End of season |
| Andrew Davies | Stoke City** | 17 September 2009 | 17 December 2009 (16 Dec 09) |
| Richard Cresswell | Stoke City | 29 September 2009 | 29 December 2009 |
| Carl Ikeme | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 26 November 2009 | 26 December 2009 |
| Toni Kallio | Fulham | 26 November 2009 | 23 December 2009 |
| Marcel Seip | Plymouth Argyle | 1 January 2009 | End of Season |

### Loans out

| Player | Club | Arrival date | Return date |
| Jordan Robertson | Bury | 14 August 2009 | 3 January 2010 |
| Billy Sharp | Doncaster Rovers | 1 September 2009 | End of season |
| David Cotterill | Swansea City | 24 November 2009 | 4 January 2010 |

### January transfers in

| Player | Club | Fee |
| Richard Cresswell | Stoke City | Undisclosed |
| Mark Yeates | Middlesbrough | Undisclosed |
| James Harper | Reading | Undisclosed |

### January transfers out

| Player | Club | Fee |
| David Cotterill | Swansea City | £600,000 |
| Matthew Kilgallon | Sunderland | Undisclosed |

## Summer friendlies and Malta tour

Sheffield United are due to play three friendly matches in July all away as well as tour of Malta. The Friendlies are:
* 10 July 2010: Mansfield Town F.C.
* 12–17 July: Malta Tour
* 20 July 2010: Burton Albion F.C.
* 24 July 2010: Rotherham United F.C.