Fixtures between the two United's of Sheffield and Peterborough have been rare, more so in the league. Our first meeting together came in January 1962 in the FA Cup which brought some fond memories of United's past as they came up against former forward Jimmy Hagan who had been installed as Boro manager in 1958 and he successfully brought the Posh into the Football League after only a year's tenure- the Blades won this time by three goals to one. The paire had previously met in a friendly on 28 April 1960 with the Blades winning by two goals to nil.
On 2 August 1972 there was a meeting in the Watney Cup. The Posh were managed by another former Blade, 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. The Blades had previously beaten Nott's County by three goals to nil but in the game at London Road, Tony Currie had been dismissed after 26 minutes following a foul on Robson. In the final at Bristol Rovers former Eastville Stadium they drew 0-0 but United lost unceremonious 7-6 on penalties
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 2009 - 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.
4 March 2014 - Sheffield United 2 Peterborough United 0
Sheffield United made it eight wins in succession as they saw off playoff contenders Peterborough at Bramall Lane. United made several changes but still were able to win relatively comfortably with home keeper Mark Howard barely making a save all night. Two excellent goals courtesy of loanee Ben Davies from a free kick and then Chris Porter with his now customary goal when he comes on from the bench won it. United were solid throughout and played neat stuff with it but perhaps even more so were organised and resolute without the ball and showed why they have kept so many clean sheets.
Manager Clough made more changes than even many home fans would have imagined as six went out. Some were forced with Murphy and Brayford deemed not fit but also out (rested) were Scougall, Harris, Baxter and Flynn. In came Paynter, Miller, McGinn and more surprisingly Kennedy and the previously out of favour McFadzean. Peterborough had been scratching around for form and also changed things around with leading scorer Britt Assombalonga surprisingly left out and Connor Washington brought in for his first start. The game began with Davies at right back and Kennedy alongside Collins. Paynter was up top on his own flanked by McFadzean and Miller although in the early stages these two did keep switching sides. Miller had one half chance but miskicked whilst the busy Coady nearly fed Paynter. At the other end 'Boro had a spell but the best they could muster was a McQuoid chance that was off target. United had been the more likely in the early stages and Miller's cross shot after good work from Coady was somehow hacked over his own bar from Little when it easily could have gone into his own goal.
McFadzean had an effort deflected narrowly wide as United looked to turn the screw but soon the young winger was departing. It was after only 20 minutes when he was taken off and replayed by Flynn. It seemed to be a change by choice/tactics rather than injury but it was not totally clear and the young winger did not seem happy as his brief return to the side did not last long. The better football was being played by the home side with Coady and Doyle controlling midfield. A few neat moves almost saw Miller in but soon after they were very unfortunate not to in front. McGinn hit a low raking shot that beat the keeper but hit the post and when it came out Paynter could not convert hitting it straight at the keeper although it was unclear whether he would have been ruled offside if he had converted. Miller then fired over after a run following more good work from Coady.
United had the better chances and had been the more likely but the half ended without a goal. The second half saw United make their superiority pay instantly as they won a free kick after Miller was baulked. DAVIES grabbed the ball and walked over and after the wall was taken further back; the Derby loanee ran up and hit an absolute beauty as his curled effort went in with pace and precision leaving Olejnik motionless. It was a tremendous free kick. After the goal United had a spell where they sat back for a period but they kept a good shape and barely a chance came from Posh. Indeed Paynter's good control and pull back saw a chance for McGinn but he shot over.
McGinn had been struggling and was hobbling for a few minutes before he was replaced by Scougall. The signing from Livingston was straight into the game as his all action play was shown as he went on a run from half way before being blocked out. Peterborough won a number of corners in quick succession but none of them really came to anything and Ferguson shuffled his pack and made a double change with Assombalonga and Bostwick coming on and Newell soon after also came on. A gut busting run from Flynn nearly led to a chance as it fell to Miller who was just blocked out after patiently taking his time to bring down and it led to a United corner.
Porter was brought on for the home side for Paynter and was soon flicking the ball on but Flynn could not quite get on the end of things. The pattern of the game was the visitors having the ball but doing little with it as United's defence commanded well by Collins and the quietly effective Kennedy restricted them completely. In front of them Doyle was also having a very good game and with Coady energetic and enterprising on the ball, United were still good value despite conceding territory. The minutes ticked away but despite more corners coming; no chances came and United were actually looking just as dangerous on the break and so it proved.
Coady's performance had been high quality throughout and his performance was punctuated when he made another run forward and a delightful through ball that put PORTER in the clear. The striker was in on goal and clinically drilled it past Olejnik to effectively seal the game in front of the delighted Kop. The visitors finally had a chance right at the end; just before the four minutes of stoppage time; as they got in down the left hand channel as Newell drilled just wide.
Results
| League Stats | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| at Bramall Lane | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| at London Road | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
Statistics correct upto and including 1 August 2014
| 28 Apr 1960 27 Jan 1962 02 Aug 1972 |
Peterborough United v Sheffield United Peterborough United v Sheffield United Peterborough United v Sheffield United |
W W W |
0-2 1-3 0-4 |
Friendly FA Cup 4 Watney Cup |
| 21 Apr 1982 | Peterborough United v Sheffield United | W | 0-4 | League Division Four |
| 08 May 1982 | Sheffield United v Peterborough United | W | 4-0 | League Division Four |
| 28 Aug 1984 | Sheffield United v Peterborough United | W | 1-0 | Milk Cup |
| 05 Sep 1984 | Peterborough United v Sheffield United | D | 2-2 | Milk Cup |
| 21 Nov 2009 | Sheffield United v Peterborough United | W | 1-0 | League Championship |
| 09 Mar 2010 | Peterborough United v Sheffield United | L | 1-0 | League Championship |
| 22 Oct 2013 | Peterborough United v Sheffield United | D | 0-0 | League One |
| 04 Mar 2014 | Sheffield United v Peterborough United | W | 2-0 | League One |