Head-to-Head: Carlisle United

They have played the Cumbrians in all top three divisions of the Football League and in our solo encounters in the top flight the Blades mastered the double when, during the 1974/75 season United won 2-1 at Bramall Lane and 1-0 at Brunton Park. It was a glorious season for the Blades who finished only one point behind a European place - the closest we have come to be amongst the elite (with exception of catching the ferry at Dover!) whilst Carlisle will soon forget after they finished bottom of the league and were duly relegated.

Prior to the League One campaigns (2011-present) our last meetings with United of Carlisle came in the 1985-86 Second Division campaigns (now Championship), United won 1-0 at Bramall Lane on New Years Day and in late March lost by the same score-line away from home manager less after Ian Porterfield had been relieved of his duties only the previous day following fan pressure forced chairman Reg Brealey to search for a new manager following an emergency board meeting - youth team coach Billy McEwan was installed as caretaker manager until the remainder of the season. Again Carlisle United were relegated (along with Middlesbrough and Fulham) whilst Sheffield United finished 7th.

Overall Sheffield United will be favorites ahead of this clash, they have won 10 (5 at home and 5 away) of the 22 meetings so far and have drawn only five of them - mostly at Bramall Lane. They Blades biggest victory came on 16 August 1980 (in Division Three) with a 3-0 away win and there biggest home victory was by the same score in our Second Division clash on 11 September 1976. However our heaviest defeat came later that season on 19 February when Carlisle won 4-1. In our last six meetings together United have won three and drawn once.

Last season the Blades won 3-1 at Brunton Park on 8 December - they stormed into a two goal lead through winger Ryan Flynn (16 minutes) and now Reading striker Nick Blackman (34), defender Danny Livesey (71) pulled one back and as they searched for an equaliser Neill Collins (84) extended United's lead to win the match. In the return fixture at Bramall Lane (1 April) the score ended goalless despite the dismissal of Blues Sean O'Hanlon after recieving two yellow cards for his troubles.