For today’s On This Day feature we take a look at Sheffield United’s programme from the 1992/93 season – the first of the Premier League era. Read our programme review below and see all the 1992/93 Premier League issues here.
Sheffield United’s programme for the inaugural Premier League season offered a good range of features, with some particularly noteworthy articles included in the issue for their fixture against Liverpool.
One of the best features in the programme is a recap of the 1965/66 season, with special attention to the fortunes of Sheffield United and Liverpool. Another historical article – ‘Look Back’ recalls the United career of Herbert Parkin, who had recently died. Parkin made 35 league appearances for the Blades in the post-war years, despite suffering a broken leg in 1944.
‘Lane News’ pulls together updates from around the club, while ‘The Story So Far’ is a detailed record of recent results and off the field developments, including the news that future United boss Chris Wilder had ended his time as a Blades’ player – transferring to Rotherham United for £50,000. Action pictures from the recent game against Aston Villa are included, whilst there are columns from manager Dave Bassett, club captain Brian Gayle, and club secretary Dave Capper.
‘Face to Face’ sees one United supporter posing questions to a member of the Blades’ team – in this issue featuring midfielder Jamie Hoyland, while forward Adrian Littlejohn is interviewed about his hopes of nailing down a regular slot in the first-team. ‘Rusty Blade’s Terrace Talk’ meanwhile is an opinion piece that here offers thoughts on the club’s away following and the early effects of the new back-pass law.
There is excellent coverage of the club’s reserve and youth teams, with detailed write-ups of recent matches, including full line-ups and scorer details, together with fixtures, results, and league tables for both sides. The usual first-team statistics section is also present.
Opponents Liverpool are profiled over two pages, with notes on the various squad members and pictures of first-team regulars David James and Steve Nicol. The programme also includes a separate breakdown of Liverpool’s appearances and goals for the current season, as well as recalling the previous season’s meetings between the clubs.
This is a programme with plenty to commend it, offering several interesting features, extensive club information, and detailed opposition coverage.