Charlton Athletic had to wait until 1935/36 season until they first met in the league when the Londoners won promotion to the Second Division, this was also the season the Blades conteested the FA Cup Final - losing 1-0 to Arsenal and haven't featured in a final since. However neither side had to wait until 1946 till a victory was recorded after drawing 1-1 at The Valley and 2-2 at Bramall Lane.
In the cup, we had to wait until 1966/67 season until mthe pair locked horns for the first time. They met in the Third Round and was won by a Mick Jones goal for United, they overcame Fulham at home in a replay, winning 3-1 after a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage the following round. However their cup run came to an end at Chelsea in round five - losing 2-0.
To date the Blades have had a good record against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup and hold a 100% record which naturally is one we would like to see United maintain as they parepare to face the Addicts this Sunday and have won our last two home meetings in the cup 3-1, again a score-line I would hope to repeat...
26 January 1992 - Charlton Athletic 0 Sheffield United 0
Having demolished Luton Town by four goals to nil at the Lane in round three the Blades were rewarded (in round four) with a trip to Londo0n to face Charlton Athletic who had previously beaten Barnet 3-1, but due to financial problems this fixture was played at West Ham's Boleyn Ground and it wasn't until Decemb er until the Addicks returned to their spiritual home.
Athletic were jointly managed by Steve Gritt and Alan Curbishley and only a week previous had beaten Newcastle United 4-3 which placed them 8th in the Second Division whilst top flight United were 19th. Charlton saw this match as a money spinner and after a goalless draw saw positives in a replay for the cash strapped club; ``Getting a draw is like winning for us, we'll get a 20,000 crowd at Bramall Lane and make some money." Said Gritt.
For United, this was a disappointing display which saw the Blades failed to muster a notable strike on goal and after a drab performance manager Dave Bassett was quoted saying; "I bet Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest have been slaughtered at some time or other on their way to Wembley," it was suggested that United had used up all their luck in this game and that a trip to Wembley would be highly unlikely, and so they were correct for at least 12 months anyway but it wasn't lady luck which shone on keeper Simon Tracey, a Charlton supporter as a youngster he withstood his boyhood teams advances and repeatedly claw out what look to be certain goals.
The former Wimbledon stopper saved well from Nelson, Barness and Bunstead but in the 38th minute was at the mercy of Walsh who one-on-one but slashed his effort over the bar from all of two yards. The second half was very much a carbon copy of the first, Charlton failing to find that killer finish in front of goal and United unable to get off the starting block. `We introduced a new brand of football that I haven't seen before, perhaps the players got together and decided, that after winning three games in a row, they could go out and pose a bit." claimed Bassett.
And so a replay at the Lane was required and would take place 10 days later with the winners knowing that a tie at Chelsea waits.
Charlton Athletic: R Bolder; D Pitcher, A Barness, A Pardew, S Webster, S Gatting, R Lee, J Bumstead, C Leaburn, G Nelson, C Walsh (sub: K Grant).
Sheffield United: S Tracey; C Hill, D Barnes, J Gannon, B Gayle, P Beesley, G Hodges, (sub: K Gage), M Lake, I Bryson, B Deane, D Whitehouse (sub: B Marwood).
Referee: J Worrall.
5 February 1992 - Sheffield United 3 Charlton Athletic 1
Having drawn the previous fixture 0-0 ten days previous the Blades and the Addicts were forced to replay at Bramall Lane with the winner hosting Chelsea. At Upton Park in its initial fixture United were poor in performance and surely no doubt would have been fired up by manager Dave Bassett for this replay - he certainly wouldn't have wished for a repeat performance which had seen the Blades leave London luckily to have not been on the end of a giant killing.
With Wednesday having fallen from grace, losing 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough in round four United remained Yorkshire's only representative, but even they weren't sure of a place in the next round. Again Charlton were poor in front of goal and wasn't until 83rd minute when Gatting scrammed a ball home that the visitors found a goal but at this point was nothing more than a scant consolation with the hosts having bagged three shots before half-time.
Charlton had lined up with the same eleven which had drawn previously with the Blades and included future familiar names Rob Lee, Scott Minto and Alan Pardew whilst Simon Webster, previously a Sheffield United player was included whilst Bassett replaced Colin Hill with Kevin Gage and Carl Bradshaw was favoured in place of Dane Whitehouse as the Blades made changes.
In fact United were ahead has early as the fifth minute, Tracey's long free-kick was cleverly flicked on by Bradshaw, leaving Deane who was questionably offside with the simple task of heading over keeper Bolder who had charged off his line for the opener. From then on United dominated the game and by the time ten minutes of the game had passed they had doubled their lead, Barnes crossing deep into the penalty area with Gayle rising highest to head home past Bolder.
As the game moved into first half injury time a third was added, putting the game beyond Athletic and setting up that elusive away tie at Chelsea. This time it was Hodges who turned provider; his corner was turned home at the far post following a knock on from Gayle.
Sheffield United: S Tracey; K Gage, D Barnes, J Gannon, B Gayle, P Beesley (sub: C Hill), C Bradshaw (sub: D Whitehouse), M Lake, I Bryson, B Deane, G Hodges.
Charlton Athletic: R Bolder; D Pitcher, A Barness, A Pardew, S Webster, S Gatting, R Lee (sub: P Gorman), J Bumstead (sub: S Minto), C Leaburn, G Nelson, C Walsh.
Referee: R Gifford
United's exploits wouldn't last long, Chelsea won the tie at Stamford Bridge by a single goal but it would be Liverpool who won the cup, beating Sunderland 2-0 in the final.
24 January 2009 - Sheffield United 3 Charlton Athletic 1
It was the third meeting between the two sides this season, and with Sheffield United cruising past the Addicks in both encounters, they made it hard for themselves on a chilly afternoon at the Lane. Goals from Danny Webber and Lee Hendrie booked United's place in the last 16. The first real chance fell to Darius Henderson who had sparked to life in recent weeks. Webber looped the ball into the area on the eight minute mark and picked out Henderson. Poor defending lead to the former Watford striker having a free header on goal, but he glanced wide.
Billy Sharp turned the defender to send the ball over to the front post. A big bounce lead to the ball leaping over the head of Henderson and the defenders, but did find Webber at the back post. He headed over from close range in front of an open goal with the keeper stranded. But Webber wanted to make amends, and scored one of the best FA Cup goals so far this season! From the touchline, he looped the ball towards goal from 30 yards out and it floated over the goalie into the top corner. It did look like he meant to cross the ball, but did confess after the game that he saw the keeper off his line and fancied a pop at goal.
Sam had the opportunity to equalise for the London club shortly after the half hour mark. But Bennett dived down low to prevent the Addicks netting an equaliser. Shortly after the referee allowed advantage to be played when Henderson was fouled, and Billy Sharp tucked away past Elliot. But confusion occurred when the linesman had his flag up for offside. After the interval, the Blades had a peach of a chance to double their lead. Halford's deflected shot fell to Henderson just inside the area, he had a full open goal in front of him, but he scuffed the shot into the hands of the rushing goalkeeper.
Ex Sheffield Wednesday forward Deon Burton blasted over from close-range in front of the Kop. Lee Hendrie replaced Danny Webber and made his first appearance since returning from a loan spell at Blackpool. Shortly after coming on, he converted. A well taken free-kick looped around the wall and crept into the bottom corner of the goal, albeit with a little assistance from the post. Naysmith was caught cold on the 69 minute mark. He was turned inside by Dickinson who then lifted the ball over the rushing Ian Bennett into the heart of the goal. Funnily, the Charlton fans did take a slight delay in their celebrations.
Dickinson was looking to grab a brace when he volleyed towards goal but it didn't trouble Bennett. In the three added minutes shown by the fourth official, Charlton loaded pressure on the Blades. But after a couple of penalty shouts and a few goalmouth scrambles, United held on to earn their name in the hat for tomorrow's draw due to take place at around 6:15pm.
:: Statistics ::
| 28 Jan 1967 | Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United | W | 0-1 | Round 3 |
| 26 Jan 1992 | Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United | D | 0-0 | Round 4 |
| 05 Feb 1992 | Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic | W | 3-1 | Round 4 Replay |
| 24 Jan 2009 | Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic | W | 3-1 | Round 4 |