Billy Sharp interview: Sheffield United man delighted by return
Sunday 20 September 2015 12:13, UK
As Sheffield United prepare to take on Yorkshire rivals Bradford City, Billy Sharp talks to Sky Sports about returning to Bramall Lane, rebuilding his life after tragedy and trying to make a huge difference in the lives of other families through his charity work…
Home is where the heart is. That's certainly the case for Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp. The 29-year-old is back at Bramall Lane for the third time in his career and it is not a moment too soon for him. Following five years away, Sheffield-born Sharp has returned to what he considers his 'spiritual home' and is tasked with helping to revive his beloved club's fortunes.
"The move to Sheffield United was a no-brainer," he said. "I started there as a kid and always wanted to play for the club because I'm a Sheffield boy.
"I felt it was a good time for me to return. I'm 29 and I am coming to the peak of my career. I feel like I have got better as a player since I was last here. If I can achieve success with my boyhood club, there would be nothing better than that."
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Born into a family of Sheffield United supporters, there's no doubting where Sharp's allegiances lie. As a young boy, Sharp was quickly introduced to life as a Blades fan and remembers fondly the times he stood in the Kop Stand to watch his heroes play. Sharp was frequently taken to Bramall Lane by his father, who previously hitchhiked to away matches along with his brother in their teenage years. From there, Sharp was hooked and idolised the club that he would later represent.
"Tickets were not as expensive back then, so my dad tried to take me to as many games as he could. He's a die-hard Blade. I have seen some unbelievable games as a fan and it's my job now to bring some new memories for the supporters," he said.
Family remains firmly part of Sharp's life. His parents have shown him unwavering support in his career, attending every single professional match he has ever competed in, home and away. They have certainly racked up the miles, following Sharp's career during his spells with Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Reading and Leeds United.
Sharp also has the support of his wife, Jade Fair, and now their 18-month old son, Leo. A focus to make his family proud remains ingrained in his psyche, and a desire to do so for Sheffield United provides him with added motivation.
However, his crowning moment on his return to Sheffield United, a goal in the 2-0 home victory over Blackpool in August, was missed by both wife and son in unusual circumstances.
"My missus tries to bring him to as many home games as she can, but he was asleep for my first goal back," Sharp said.
"She took him out of the stadium for a walk in his pram. She heard the fans cheer when the goal went in and then heard on the tannoy that it was me. She came back in and I saw him afterwards, but I am sure he'll see many more goals when he grows up a little bit more. He's a bit too young at the minute."
The life led by Sharp is certainly different from the one he once lived as a youngster, first pulling on a Sheffield United shirt in 2004, or when he first returned to the club in 2009.
A desire to make a difference outside of football consumes the thoughts of Sharp, whose professional life was brought into sharp context four years ago by the death of his newborn baby.
The birth of his son, Luey Jacob, at the Leeds General Infirmary Hospital on October 27, 2011 provided Sharp with one of the proudest moments in his life. He and Jade embraced the joy of becoming parents for the first time, but the life of Luey Jacob was tragically cut short. Just two days after being born, Luey Jacob passed away suffering from gastroschisis, a defect in the anterior abdominal wall, causing unimaginable grief to Sharp, Jade and the rest of the family.
Sharp, then of Doncaster, returned to action just three days after the death of Luey Jacob and famously dedicated his goal against Middlesbrough to his late son. Four years on, Sharp admits the release that football provided helped him to recover from the tragedy that then engulfed his life.
"After losing a child, the best thing I did was go kick a ball again. I don't know what could have happened if I would have left it for too long," he added.
"My wife more than anyone dealt with it better because she was the one who had to carry the baby and we're expecting another one at the moment, so she must think about it every single minute of every day."
In the wake of such devastating circumstances, a desire to help make a change to those affected by the same issue saw Sharp and his wife set up the Luey Jacob Sharp Foundation.
Strong support for the charity has come from both inside and outside football with former England strikers Alan Shearer and Michael Owen, two-time world welterweight champion Ricky Hatton as well as Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan of One Direction among the famous names to throw their backing behind the foundation by wearing the LJS wristbands.
"We set up the charity because we didn't want people to forget Luey. It's his legacy now and we drive it on for him," Sharp said.
"The support from everyone, especially from some big names, has also helped to raise the awareness. What we didn't want to happen was for people to be wearing the bands and not knowing what it meant to wear it.
"The hard side of it is drumming into people's heads what it actually means. The condition that Luey had was rare, but now I feel more people know about it because they know of somebody that's gone through that situation as well. I think 30-odd years ago they didn't even know what that condition was.
After losing a child, the best thing I did was go kick a ball again. I don't know what could have happened if I would have left it for too long
"We want to help other families who've been affected by it. That's what the money is for - to help them overcome it or help save a child that needs saving."
Such has been the support for the foundation, Sharp received an anonymous betting slip through the post during pre-season, attached with a note. The bet: Sharp to be League 1 top goalscorer. The stake: £100 The odds: 10-1. The potential winnings: To be donated to the LJS Foundation.
"Football fans are overwhelming sometimes. When I saw that someone had put that on, it made me realise how kind some people are and how inspiring people can be. It is a real kind gesture to do that and it gives me that bit of extra drive to try and make it come true," he said.
By re-joining Sheffield United, Sharp has also resumed his working relationship with manager Nigel Adkins. The 50-year-old was appointed as Nigel Clough's successor in June following the latter's failure to secure promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs last season.
Having signed Sharp on three previous occasions during his spells in charge of Scunthorpe, Southampton and Reading, Adkins made signing the forward for a fourth time in his career his top priority. Three weeks later, Adkins had his man once again and tasked Sharp with scoring the goals to inspire a successful promotion-winning campaign.
With four goals to his name already, Sharp will aim to add to that number when Sheffield United make the short trip to Valley Parade to face Bradford City, live on Sky Sports 5HD at midday on Sunday.
He will also be hoping to bounce back from the eventful 3-2 home defeat to Colchester United on Tuesday evening.
It was a tale of three penalties for Sharp in an action-packed affair. He firstly netted just after half-time with a twice taken penalty after Colchester goalkeeper Jamie Jones had strayed off his goal-line for the first attempt.
Sharp was then offered the chance to rescue a point for his side with just two minutes remaining after being brought down by George Elokobi. His effort, however, was saved by Jones.
"I managed to get on the scoresheet again, but I should have had three or four goals against Colchester," he said.
"It has not been great the past week, but the team and I have a good game coming up to put it right. It will be a tough match and it should be a good atmosphere as it's a Yorkshire derby so I am really looking forward to it."
*Find out more about the Luey Jacob Foundation at www.ljsfoundation.org.uk or twitter.com/foundationljs
