Fixtures between the two United's of Sheffield and Peterborough have been rare, more so in the league. Our first meeting together in January 1962 in the FA Cup brought some fond memories of United's past as they came up against former forward Jimmy Hagan who had been installed as manager in 1958 and he successfully brought the Posh into the Football League the seasons previous - the Blades won this time by three goals to one.
On 2 August 1972 there was a meeting in the Watney Cup (these records hasn't been recorded below), the Posh were managed by another former Blade in Jim Iley and were beaten by four goals to nil as United marched into the final. The Watney Cup was an invitational cup set out by the Football League - the highest team scorers from each division were invited to play in this competition. On 28 April 1960 the S2 club won a friendly at London Road by two goals to nil.
The Fourth Division battles of 1981/82 saw the Blades end the season as Champions whilst Peterborough, who battled throughout went their last seven fixtures without a win and at a crucial time finished the season in a disappointing 5th place. It was during this spell that United faced the Posh on both occasions and won in somewhat emphatic style; Keith Edwards netted a brace in each game as United rode out 4-0 winners on both occasions.
The Times newspaper wrote on the first victory played at London Road on 21 April; 'Sheffield United took a giant stride towards third division football next season with an emphatic victory over promotion rivals Peterborough United in front of Peterborough's biggest league crowd for eight years. Keith Edwards hit his 29th goal of the season - and set a post war scoring record for United - with the first goal coming after 11 minutes. Ten minutes later Jeff King pounced when Neil Freeman failed to hold a fierce free-kick by Mike Trusson. Peterborough's defensive limitations were again exposed after 35 minutes. Colin Morris carrying the ball nearly half the length of the field before driving in United's third.' Not reported, Keith Edwards netted the fourth goal in this rout.
United were already promoted by the time they faced the Posh again at Bramall Lane on 8 May with the Blades scoring all four goals in the second half. Keith Edwards (twice), Tony Kenworthy and Colin Morris scored in this win.
During the 1984/85 season the pair met in the Football League Cup with the Steel City club winning the spoils 3-2 on aggregate; they won the first leg by a single goal but required extra-time in the second leg to see off their opponents. A brief extract from The Times newspaper printed on 6 Sep 1984 read; 'Sheffield United needed an extra-time goal from Edwards (ed-Keith) to dispose of Peterborough after the fourth division side, trailing 1-0 from the first leg took a 2-0 lead through Cassidy and Kelly. But a 65th minute penalty by Morris sent the match into extra-time during which the second division side finally won their place in the next round. Edwards finishing off a move started by Cockerill.'
Last Time
You have to go back to the 2009/10 Coca-Cola Championship campaign since the last time United faced Peterborough in a league season. The Blades won the home fixture by a single goal on 21 November. It wasn't a sweet performance by United against the league's bottom side but none the less was at times attractive - The Posh were subjected to long range shots throughout the match as they failed to find a foothold in the final third. The goal came shortly before half-time by a neat run from Jamie Ward on the right hand side, he fed in Ched Evans who's shot was saved by keeper Joe Lewis but debutant HENRI CAMERA(42 minutes) was in the right place to tap home his first goal for the club. Prior to that Evans had almost gifted the Blades a lead when his shot (following a corner) smashed the underside of the cross bar. In the second half the visitors were handed a lifeline when Craig Mackail-Smith went tumbling down in the box under a challenge from Andrew Davies with a penalty being awarded. George Boyd stepped up but Blades shot stopper Mark Bunn was equal to it.
The return fixture at London Road on 9 March was a dire performance - it was a re-arranged fixture after a cold snap had put paid to its previous attempt with many fans (including myself) having already made half the journey before the news broke out. United were subject to too few chances as MACKAIL-SMITH (40 minutes) headed the ball home via the crossbar.
| Venue | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| Bramall Lane | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| London Road | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 4 |
| Total | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
Statistics correct upto and including 20 October 2013
1961/62
27 Jan - Peterborough United 1 Blades 3 - FAC
1981/82 - FL Division 4
21 Apr - Peterborough United 0 Blades 4
08 May - Blades 4 Peterborough United 0
1984/85
28 Aug - Blades 1 Peterborough United 0 - LC1 1st Leg
05 Sep - Peterborough United 2 Blades 2 - LC1 2nd Leg
2009/10 - Championship
21 Nov - Blades 1 Peterborough United 0
09 Mar - Peterborough United 1 Blades 0