Any Relation?
Sheffield United U18 5 v Sheffield Wednesday U18 0
U18 Professional Development League
Friday 3 April 2026
Played at Shirecliffe
SUFC 2025/26 Game #66
Did you ever get that portable DNA testing kit, Phil?
Asked one of the Carrier Bag Firm as I walked through the top gate at Shirecliffe.
Oh Fuck. Is he playing then?
I'm pioneering a “new thing” at the moment. A list to illustrate how experienced, or not, a particular United Academy team is. As you can see from the graphic, today we had three players with a good whack of both U18 and U21 appearances this season. And four more players with 20+ U18 appearances.
Of course, as you read through that list of names, you might guess why I fucking need that DNA Kit. Because. Inevitably.
“Any Relation?”
Right. Let's fucking deal with it…
Dennis Grainger was born in Royston, Barnsley in 1920. Dennis was one of a number of players who made his Football League debut in a ghost game. In his case, playing for Southport against Darlington in the opening game of the 1939/40 season. WWII broke out, League Football was abandoned, and the few games that were played are not usually included in official stats.
Dennis made “another Football League debut” after the War. This time for Leeds United!!! Despite losing many of his playing days to the War, Dennis went on to play 138 times in the Football League.
And, of course, as you'll recall, Dennis Grainger played just ONCE for Sheffield United. As a Guest Player In a wartime County Cup game. A home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday 9 May 1945. Wednesday won 3-1. Dennis scored our goal.
Any Relation? To the very best of our knowledge, Academy U18 goalkeeper, Ben Grainger, is NOT related to Dennis.
George Shephard was born in Denaby. A utility right back, but mainly left back. George made his United debut during WWII, in a League North game against Halifax Town in 1943. He went on to play 23 wartime League games for The Blades. And two more in the County Cup. George's final game was a 6-0 hammering away at Newcastle United in August 1945.
Any Relation? To the very best of our knowledge, Academy U18 #11, Jayden Shephard, is NOT related to George.
Conventional Outside Right, Alan Roberts, was born in Newcastle in 1964. Alan was signed to United by Dave Bassett in July 1988 and went on to play in 52 games for the Blades. Nabbing just two goals. There were stories of Alan falling out with the more direct style United adopted at that time. And he was eventually shifted on to Lincoln City. He was forced to retire by injury in November 1990. Indeed, United sent a team to Lincoln City for a benefit match.
Any Relation? To the very best of our knowledge, Academy U18 Sub Eddie Roberts, is NOT related to Alan.
Under 16 age cohort, Ollie Colechin, made his Sheffield United U18 debut away at Peterborough United on 21 February 2026. He was hooked off for Beau Cheesewright (do not fucking go there, don't) on 73 minutes in a 5-3 win.
Any Relation? YES. We KNOW Ollie is the younger brother of current U21 and U18 stalwart and today's starter at #2, Sam Colechin.
He. Is. Related.
Grainger, Shephard, Roberts, Colechin. That's enough Any Relation?
(Although, not quite). I am acknowledging the marvellous Sheffield United Football Club Who's Who by Denis Clarebrough and Andrew Kirkham as my source for much of the - Any Relation? - segment.
It transpires that DENNIS GRAINGER was a Cousin of Colin Grainger. Colin played 98 times for United between 1953 & 1957.
And. GEORGE SHEPHARD had a younger Brother, Ray, who was on United's books.
A rather comprehensive Derby Morning victory for the Young Blades, before a #BigCrowd. With plenty of Mums, Dads, and other Any Relatives in attendance. (Off camera - fucking give it up Phil, wearing thin now).
Grainger in goal. Colechin, Hough, Dearden(?), Buckle across the line. Sidibe, Miller, Hay, Jaydon with an “o” Makhalira through the middle. Jayden with an “e” Shephard and Perpetual Trialist Covarne Longshanks Leon up top.
The Carrier Bag Firm Rules Committee tell me a Trialist can Trial for no more than eight consecutive weeks. Longshanks should be done by 18 April.
I can report that the Carrier Bag Firm are hopeful he will sign permanently.
“Why Phil? Because he's impressed you with his pace and strength? And his skill in getting a shot off even when he hasn't really got it under control. Bit of an impact player as well ain't he? Is that why the CBF think United should sign him?”
“Fuck no. It's nothing like that. Who do you think we are?”
“We need Covarne Longshanks to sign from Basford United in the hope that part of the deal will require United to send an Under 21 team over there for a pre-season friendly. Be a good Ground Tick that…”
Incidentally. Final word on Covarne for this week. I've remarked on his physical setup. Which we might summarise as - Tall, and mainly legs. Earning him the nickname Longshanks. By the time we walked up the Shirecliffe hill for our Lift to The Lane, United were already Warming Down.
Covarne had rolled his socks down by this stage. Giving us the full shanks. Long them, is all I'll say. Don't want to read about myself in the Epstein Files!!!
A Cole Hay right wing corner was swung over on 12. Powerful clean header by Jaydon o Makhalira for 1-0.
On 27, the ball fell nicely for Cole Hay, he took it well in his stride, and slid it perfectly into the corner for 2-0. On 42, Cole swung a left wing corner over, Tom Dearden(?) ran a pattern, and found space, buried the header for 3-0. I captured part of the moment rather well in the Photie at the top of this Blog.
Dominant at 3-0 half time. Yet up top partners Jayden e Shephard and Covarne Longshanks had not really got anything going. The threat coming from the influential Cole Hay - including them both wings corners.
A messy goal from a defensive point of view on 52. Sidibe lifted one into the box. The Wednesday lads didn't deal with it. And it found Shephard having to choose between heading and volleying the high bouncing ball. Tricky skill, it's easy to mistime your kick, booting it back down into the ground. Jayden didn't quite get it cleanly, but he got enough on it to beat the keeper. 4-0.
The fifth came on 72. Yet another Cole Hay corner wasn't fully cleared. It came out to Sidibe, his deflected shot went in.
Cole Hay Havoc on the Corners
Would you please consider subscribing (free) to have my Blog delivered to your email inbox (via Substack). Thank you.
You can find me on Social Media
X @ball_sup
Untappd ball_sup
Stats
I have now Blogged from 1,776 games in 4,245 days