This meeting at Bramall Lane will be the first of its kind in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy between the two clubs; they have however met in the league and both domestic (major) cup competitions.
Despite both sides establishing long heritages they didn't come face to face for the first time until Sheffield United were relegated into the Fourth tier of English football in 1981. They drew 1-1 at the Lane before completing a 3-2 victory at Victoria Park later in the season. It was a memorable season for Blades fans, there only time in the basement tier and celebrated 'getting out' as Champions.
All our league meetings with 'The Pools' of the North-East have all been in the bottom two tiers and it was only recently, again coincided with the S2 clubs fall from grace into League One (in May 2011) that they competed at the third level. Hartlepool were relegated themselves in May 2013 and there last visit to the Lane also ended in their only victory here on Bramall Lane soil.
Between 1982 and 2010 a series of cup encounters were played out with the United of Sheffield coming out on top on each occasion. United won 4-2 on aggregate in the League Cup during a two-legged match during the 1988-89 season, another year which saw the Sheffield team promoted. Alan Cork netted the game’s only goal in January 1993 in the FA Cup as United eventually reached the semi-finals only to be eliminated by rivals Wednesday at Wembley.
2010/11 seasons campaign ended in misery for the Blades, they were relegated and dumped out of the Football League Cup in round one by Hartlepool who won on their own ground by two goals to no reply. They also met in the same competition twelve months later with the Blades advancing through on penalties.
Our last meetings with the 'Monkey Hangers' came last season which (as already mentioned) unfortunately ended in relegation despite a brave effort from Hartlepool. At Victoria Park (2 October) on a Tuesday night the Blades reigned supreme and won by two goals to one; but had to wait until the last minute to secure the winner through on loan forward Paul Gallagher (from Leicester City). Dave Kitson (27 minutes) had netted his second goal in two matches to give United the lead after heading home Tony McMahon's cross. Anthony Sweeney, who has an habit of scoring against the Blades, hit the woodwork with his effort before Steve Howard (78) levelled and towards the death Ryan Flynn crossed for Gallagher to finish.
Hartlepool extracted revenge in the return fixture at Bramall lane (29 December) in the final fixture of 2012 in a 3-2 victory. It was a poorly performed performance from the hosts, despite a muddy pitch fell behind to a Steve Howard header (7 minutes) before captain Michael Doyle's (30) stinging effort found the net and before the break Ryan Flynn saw his goal ruled out for offside. United pressed on in the second half but fell behind again when they were caught on the break, lifelong Blade and ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Ritchie Humphrey's (54) bundling home. A second Howard (72) header seemingly put the game beyond reach but when Harry Maguire (90) reduced the deficit it was virtually the last kick of the game and no way back for the Blades.
Sheffield United's Football League Trophy History...
1983/84
21 Feb – Rotherham United 0-1 Blades (RD1)
13 Mar – Blades 2-1 Bradford City (RD2)
20 Mar – Scunthorpe United 2-3 Blades (NQF)
02 May – Hull City 1-0 Blades (NSF)
2011/12
30 Aug – Burton Albion 1-2 Blades (RD1)
04 Oct – Rotherham United 1-2 Blades (RD2)
08 Nov – Blades 1-1 Bradford City (RD3) (lost 6-5 on pens)
2012/13
Round One - bye
17 Oct - Nott's County 1-4 Blades (RD2)
04 Dec - Coventry City 1-1 Blades (RD3) (lost 1-4 on pens)
2013/14
03 Sep - Scunthorpe United 0-0 Blades (RD1) (won 5-3 on pens)
08 Oct - Blades vs. Hartlepool United (Rd2) TBD
| At Sheff. Utd. (5) | At Hartlepool U. (6) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Sheff. Utd. | 3 | 60.00 | Hartlepool U. | 1 | 16.67 | |
| Hartlepool U. |
1 |
20.00 |
Sheff. Utd. |
3 |
50.00 |
|
| Draws | 1 | 20.00 | Draws | 2 | 33.33 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Sheff. Utd. | 9 | 1.80 | Hartlepool U. | 8 | 1.33 | |
| Hartlepool U. | 5 | 1.00 | Sheff. Utd. | 9 | 1.50 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | Overall (11 matches) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Sheff. Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Sheff. Utd. | 6 | 54.55 | |
| Hartlepool U. | 0 | 0.00 | Hartlepool U. | 2 | 18.18 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 3 | 27.27 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Sheff. Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Sheff. Utd. | 18 | 1.64 | |
| Hartlepool U. | 0 | 0.00 | Hartlepool U. | 13 | 1.18 | |
| Records | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Aggregate | 5 | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 3 | Hartlepool U. | 2012/2013 |
| Highest Sheff. Utd. score: | 3 | Sheff. Utd. | 3 - 1 | Hartlepool U. | 2011/2012 |
| Highest Hartlepool U. score: | 3 | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 3 | Hartlepool U. | 2012/2013 |
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012/2013 | Sat 29 Dec | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 3 | Hartlepool U. | League One |
| Tue 02 Oct | Hartlepool U. | 1 - 2 | Sheff. Utd. | League One | |
| 2011/2012 | Sat 31 Mar | Hartlepool U. | 0 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | League One |
| Sat 31 Dec | Sheff. Utd. | 3 - 1 | Hartlepool U. | League One | |
| Tue 09 Aug | Hartlepool U. | 1 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | League Cup | |
| after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1, Sheffield United won 4-3 on penalties | |||||
| 2010/2011 | Wed 11 Aug | Hartlepool U. | 2 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | League Cup |
| 1992/1993 | Sat 23 Jan | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 0 | Hartlepool U. | F.A. Cup |
| 1988/1989 | Tue 06 Sep | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 0 | Hartlepool U. | League Cup |
| Sheffield United won 4-2 on aggregate | |||||
| Tue 30 Aug | Hartlepool U. | 2 - 2 | Sheff. Utd. | League Cup | |
| 1981/1982 | Sat 06 Mar | Hartlepool U. | 2 - 3 | Sheff. Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Sat 17 Oct | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 1 | Hartlepool U. | Fourth Division | |