Sheffield United vs Millwall

68 UTB
TRANSFER
TRAIL
In every edition of UTB this season, DAVE BURKINSHAW looks
back on a significant transfer involving the Blades...
A MASSIVE NEW RECORD FEE FOR A BRITISH PLAYER AS
THE BLADES CONTINUE TO SEEK BARGAINS (1956-59)
The British game was shocked
by Leeds United’s sale of their
star player, Welsh international
John Charles, to Juventus in April 1957
for a fee £65,000 - almost double the
previous highest fee paid. It was clear
that the British game was facing new
threats from Italian clubs especially
when it came to poaching the best
talent. They were prepared to pay
higher fees and wages. The maximum
player wage still remained in place in
the Football League.
The sad news of the death of
United’s manager Reg Freeman in 1955
overshadowed the start of the 1955/56
season. In his place the inexperienced
former Everton, Arsenal and England
player, Joe Mercer, was appointed.
The club was relegated from the top
flight at the end of Mercer’s first season
in charge. Along the way United looked
to shop sensibly in the transfer market.
Two players signed prior to the start of
the 1955/56 season were full-back Cliff
Mason from Darlington for £6500 and
Scotsman Bobby Howitt from Partick
Thistle for £8000. Both gave some
good service to the Blades although
neither were sure of a regular first team
place.
Whilst Mercer was in charge some
young players developed well and
became key players. Amongst them R ‘Doc’ Pace signed in 1957
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs MILLWALL