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.'
21 November 2010 - Sheffield United 1 Peterborough United 0
Henri Camara struck in the first half to halt Sheffield United's slide down the table and ease the pressure on beleaguered manager Kevin Blackwell. The former Wigan striker found the target four minutes before the break before the basement side missed a penalty as the Blades picked up their first win in eight games. Peterborough,who are finding life tough after promotion from League One, held on as United applied the pressure. James Harper and Camara both had shots blocked as they wriggled free into the area.
But United were caught out as Harper dallied on the ball and goalscoring midfielder George Boyd quickly nipped in and took a stride before drilling in a low strike from 20 yards. The ball flashed inches wide of the far post as Mark Bunn scrambled across his line. Stuttering United almost snatched the lead in the 25th minute after winning a corner on the right. Fit-again Jamie Ward cleverly picked out £3million striker Ched Evans, who lashed in a stinging right-foot shot which hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear.
The basement side, under strict instructions to get players behind the ball, had the pace to hit United on the break. Kyle Walker, on loan from Spurs, was caught in possession by full-back Scott Griffiths, whose measured pass found Craig Mackail-Smith 15 yards out but the striker dithered as Matt Kilgallon cleared. United broke the deadlock four minutes before the break when the hard-working Ward cut in from the right to pick out Evans and his low shot was blocked by the legs of Joe Lewis as Camara followed up to slot the ball past the stranded keeper. He could have had a second as Lee Williamson and Walker exchanged passes. The United defender's cross was met at the far post by Camara, who was stretching as he headed over from six yards.
United escaped in the 66th minute when Aaron McLean's back heel found Craig Mackail-Smith, who was brought down by Andrew Davies' clumsy challenge. However, Boyd's penalty was a poor strike and Bunn dived to his left to smother the ball.
9 March 2010 - Peterborough United 1 Sheffield United 0
Craig Mackail-Smith celebrated his return to the Peterborough United starting line-up with a goal that consigned Sheffield United to yet another away defeat, a 1-0 reverse at London Road It was the seventh successive setback on the road for Kevin Blackwell's notoriously poor travellers and after going behind five minutes before the break, they never looked like rescuing even a point. Although manager Jim Gannon has conceded that bottom of the table Posh are destined to make a rapid return to League One, they are not going down without a fight and Mackail-Smith set the standard with a display of non-stop running and sheer effort.
Posh quickly settled to their task with Lee Frecklington crossing for Dominic Green to fire straight at Mark Bunn, before Frecklington himself sent a low drive narrowly wide. Bunn also did well to pull down a soaring Tommy Rowe centre under strong pressure from home frontmen Liam Dickinson and Aaron McLean. Ched Evans was booked for a challenge on Posh goalkeeper Joe Lewis in a rare United break, but hurt himself in the process and was soon replaced by Henri Camara.
Then Nyron Nosworthy's name also found its way into referee Jamail Singh's book for a foul. Nosworthy did well to put a Dickinson cross behind for a corner, but it brought pressure on the United goal with Green's flag-kick headed against the underside of the bar by Charlie Lee. Mackail-Smith won a scramble to get to the loose ball and his header went in past a despairing Bunn, again off the bar. There was a crazy start to the second half with Sergio Torres, who ran out to replace Frecklington without being officially substituted, yellow-carded for his trouble before even touching the ball.
Posh did go through the correct procedure when McLean gave way to Exdous Geohaghon on 68 minutes and the long-haired midfielder was soon forcing United to pack their penalty area with his trademark long throws, although Posh never succeeded in getting a second goal to kill off the game completely.
22 October 2013 - Peterborough United 0 Sheffield United 0
Peterborough United was left frustrated with a goalless against manager less Sheffield United, but for the Blades will see this as nothing more than a moral victory after not being beaten by a quality side. Following Stevenage's victory at Crewe the Blades dropped into the relegation zone following this draw in a game which they otherwise expected to end in defeat. Leyton Orient was defeated for the first time this season and as a result share poll position with Peterborough who will no doubt be reeling from this draw.
Caretaker manager Chris Morgan had plenty to smile about after claiming point at London Road which has become something of a fortress this term having only lost once at home and has handed Championship side Reading a football education in a 6-0 win in the League Cup previous. The former United (and Barnsley) defender believes that this was his last game in temporary charge for the S2 club with Nigel Clough looking imminent to take charge. He fielded a 4-5-1 formation with Simon Lappin (on loan from Cardiff City) replacing the injured Matt Hill and Conor Coady coming in for Marlon King.
The visitors hit the ground running from the off and it was on-loan Liverpool midfielder Coady who had the first 'good' chance of the game - shooting wide of the margin after just 6 minutes. Posh replied with strong pressure with a hat full of chances to follow; Danny Swanson on 14 minutes drew a save from George Long before Tyrone Barnett dragged wide at the angle. Paul Taylor and Tommy Rowe came close but the best chance came on 37 minutes when Blades' Lyle Taylor smashed the crossbar with his eccentric effort.
Febian Brandy fired wide short after as United went close to opening the scoring - just before the break Michael Bostick was denied from a great save from Long. Taylor (Posh) hit over the bar and at the other end as did Harry Maguire as both sides looked the steal all three points. Assombalonga was thrown on to add extra threat but United held on almost went close when Lappin guided a free-kick over the bar towards the death after King was fouled on the edge of the area but neither side could score a point.
| Venue | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| at Bramall Lane | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| at London Road | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4 |
| Total | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
Statistics correct upto and including 25 January 2014
1959/60
28 Apr - Peterborough United 0 Blades - Friendly
1961/62
27 Jan - Peterborough United 1 Blades 3 - FAC
1972/73
02 Aug - Peterborough United 0 Blades 4 - Watney Cup SF
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
2013/14
22 Oct - Peterborough United 0 Sheffield United 0