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2001

2001-02 Squad

Name: Information: Career Description
Carl Asaba
Position:
Forward
Born:
London
28 Jan 1973
Height:
6ft
Weight:
12st 13lbs
Previous Clubs:
Brentford, Colchester (loan), Reading, Gillingham
After cutting his teeth at non-league Dulwich Hamlet and Brentford, where he scored 25 goals in 54 games, Asaba moved to Reading (33/8) in 1997. He signed for Gillingham for a club-record fee of £600,000 in the summer of 1998 and finished his first season at Priestfield as the club's top scorer with 20 league goals. Suffered a string of injuries during the 1999/2000 season, having picked up a knock in the 1999 Second Division play-off final. After a move to Crystal Palace fell through, the striker joined The Blades for a very modest fee of £92,500 on March 8 2001. A strong frontrunner who is always capable of snatching a vital strike, Asaba is an awkward customer for opposing defenders. His ability both in the air and on the ground make him one of the most potent strikers outside the top flight with a career average of a goal every two and a half games.
Michael Brown
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Hartlepool
25 Jan 1977
Height:
5ft 9ins
Weight:
11st 13lbs
Previous Clubs:
Manchester City, Hartlepool (loan), Portsmouth (loan
Spent five years at Manchester City without nailing down a permanent first-team spot. Brown initially joined The Blades on loan from Maine Road in December 1999, before completing a £400,000 move a month later. Just over a week after that, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win against former employers City at Bramall Lane. Brown is willing and able to play in all positions across midfield, although arguably he is best suited to a central role, where he can bring other players into the game. Capped at England Under-21 level. He has cemented his place in the starting line-up at United.
Adam Burley
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Sheffield
27 Nov 1980
Height:
5ft 10ins
Weight:
12st 6lbs
Previous Clubs:
From trainee
Home-grown youngster who made his debut in the first of The Blades' two 3-0 League Cup wins over Shrewsbury in August 1999. Made his league debut in the First Division win over Crystal Palace the following month and started his scoring account against Swindon in May 2000. Spent the second half of 2000/01 on loan at non-league Burton Albion to gain first-team experience.
Colin Cryan
Position:
Utility
Born:
Dublin
23 Mar 1981
Height:
5ft 10ins
Weight:
13st
Previous Clubs:
Signed from trainee
One of the stars of the youth and reserve sides, Cryan is a tenacious central midfielder, who also fills in on occasions in the centre of defence. The Irishman, who has an imposing presence on the pitch, is highly thought of at the club and is definitely one for the future. Played both legs of the League Cup tie with Colchester last season and made his league debut in The Blades' 1-0 win at Crystal Palace in September 2000.
Keith Curle
Position:
Defender
Born:
Bristol
14 Nov 1963
Height:
6ft
Weight:
12st 7lbs
Previous Clubs:
Bristol Rovers, Torquay United, Bristol City, Reading, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Much-travelled veteran central defender who is player-coach at Bramall Lane. The Blades had been tracking Curle for many months before they finally landed their man at the beginning of July 2000. Still capable of striking fear into opposition forwards, the three-times capped England international has natural leadership skills although he is only likely to be a squad player in 2001-02.
Laurent D'Jaffo
Position:
Forward
Born:
France
05 Nov 1970
Height:
6ft
Weight:
13st 5lbs
Previous Clubs:
Montpellier, Niort, Ayr, Bury, Stockport County
D'Jaffo joined The Blades from Stockport for a fee of £100,000 (rising to £175,00 after appearances), in February 2000. The tricky striker moved to The Blades to link up with Neil Warnock, who was in charge of the frontman during their days together at Bury. Although an exciting player, he has only been a squad player and has generally been employed as cover for other strikers at the club.
Paul Devlin
Position:
Forward
Born:
Birmingham
14 Apr 1972
Height:
5ft 8ins
Weight:
11st 8lbs
Previous Clubs:
Notts County, Birmingham
Devlin, who moved to Bramall Lane from Birmingham for an initial fee of £200,000, is equally effective on either flank or in an orthodox striking role. He finished as 1996-97 top scorer for Birmingham, but fell out with boss Trevor Francis and was eventually allowed to join The Blades in March 1998. After an indifferent start to his United career, he went back to his first league club Notts County on loan in a bid to regain some form. And, after arriving back from Meadow Lane, especially since Neil Warnock arrived at the club, Devlin has impressed and become a firm fans' favourite - so much so that he was voted the 1999/2000 Player of the Year.
Ben Doane
Position:
Defender
Born:
Sheffield
22 Dec 1979
Height:
5ft 10ins
Weight:
10st 5lbs
Previous Clubs:
Signed from trainee
Doane is a versatile defender who has played in numerous positions for the club's youth and reserve sides. Finally given the chance to make his first-team bow against Stockport in the 1999/2000 season and, after three more starts last term, Doane is hoping for more opportunities to shine in 2001/02.
Bobby Ford
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Bristol
22 Sep 1974
Height:
5ft 8ins
Weight:
10st 7lbs
Previous Clubs:
Oxford United
Signed for £400,000 in November 1997, Ford had gained a reputation for good ball skills and pace in his five years with Oxford. He is also a hard-worker, getting from box-to-box with great regularity. If one part of his game is lacking though, it his goal scoring record. He only notched seven goals in more than 100 league games at Oxford, and by the start of the 2001/02 campaign, had found the back of the net only six times in the league for United, in more than 120 games.
Phil Jagielka
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Manchester
17 Aug 1982
Height:
5ft 11ins
Weight:
12st 8lbs
Previous Clubs:
Signed from trainee
Jagielka, an England Under-17 international, is highly thought of at Bramall Lane after joining the club as a youngster. The midfielder, who is very good on the ball, was given his first-team debut on the last day of the 1999-2000 season, just a month after he was tied to the club on a three-year contract. Jagielka regularly featured in the 2000/01 season, making his first start in a 6-1 Worthington Cup mauling of Lincoln, and has produced lively showings whenever selected
Robert Kozluk
Position:
Defender
Born:
Mansfield
05 Aug 1977
Height:
5ft 8ins
Weight:
10st 7lbs
Previous Clubs:
Derby County, Huddersfield (loan)
Came through the ranks at Derby before joining The Blades in the swap deal which saw him and Jonathan Hunt coming to Bramall Lane and Vassilis Borbokis heading for Pride Park in March 1999. Has failed to make the right-back slot his own and was loaned to Huddersfield for two months in September 2000 to pick up first-team experience. Wigan pulled out of a £300,000 transfer in September 2001 at the 11th hour.
Adrian Littlejohn
Position:
Forward
Born:
Wolverhampton
26 Sep 1971
Height:
5ft 10ins
Weight:
11st
Previous Clubs:
Oldham Athletic, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Utd, Walsall, West Bromwich Albion
Littlejohn spent four years at Bramall Lane between 1991 and 1995, scoring 14 goals in 82 appearances. He was not offered a new contract by Bury in the summer of 2001 and has been taken on as a non-contract player as The Blades suffer a striker crisis after training with them to keep fit.
Ryan Mallon
Position:
Forward
Born:
Height:
Weight:
Previous Clubs:
Trainee
Made his debut as an injury-time substitute for Peter Ndlovu in the 3-1 home win over Grimsby on October 13 2001.
Nick Montgomery
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Leeds
28 Oct 1981
Height:
5ft 9ins
Weight:
11st 8lbs
Previous Clubs:
Signed from trainee
Tenacious, tough-tackling central midfielder who has suffered illness and injury early in his fledgling career. Montgomery incurred a broken leg in the 1998/99 season and has also had to work his way back to full fitness after being struck down by the meningitis virus. But made 27 appearances in all competitions in 2000/01.
Shaun Murphy
Position:
Defender
Born:
Sydney, Australia
05 Nov 1970
Height:
6ft 1in
Weight:
13st 10lbs
Previous Clubs:
Blacktown City, Heidelberg, Perth Italia,Notts County, West Brom
Murphy joined Sheffield United in the summer of 1999 on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion. He had made good strides in the English game after joining Notts County from Perth Italia in September 1992 and forced his way onto the fringes of the Australian national side during the 1995/96 season. But, after a difficult time at West Brom, the no-nonsense defender moved to United, where he has become a regular in central defence and has established himself with The Socceroos. He should be heading to Japan and South Korea for the World Cup finals in summer 2002.
Peter Ndlovu
Position:
Forward
Born:
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
25 Feb 1973
Height:
5ft 8ins
Weight:
10st 2lbs
Previous Clubs:
Highlanders, Coventry, Birmingham, Huddersfield (loan)
The Zimbabwe international joined The Blades on a free from Birmingham in February 2001 after joining on a pay-as-you-play basis from Midlands rivals Coventry City with a £1.6million fee payable according to appearances. A talented two-footed winger or striker, Ndlovu's promising career has been hampered by a series of injuries. At his best, Ndlovu is one of the most dangerous attacking players around, blessed with pace, dribbling ability and great balance, and he is equally effective up front or out wide.
Shane Nicholson
Position:
Defender
Born:
Newark
03 Jun 1970
Height:
5ft 10ins
Weight:
12st 2lbs
Previous Clubs:
Lincoln, Derby County, West Bromwich Albion, Chesterfield, Stockport
Nicholson left Stockport to join The Blades in the summer of 2001 on a Bosman and was expected to be Neil Warnock's first-choice left-back. Nicholson has resurrected his career after a ban for drug-taking cast a shadow over his future. He had joined Stockport in the summer of 1999 on a free transfer from Chesterfield. A defender who enjoys going forward to link up with the attack, and an excellent crosser of the ball, Nicholson began his footballing apprenticeship with Lincoln - while he has also had spells with Derby County and West Brom.
Robert Page
Position:
Defender
Born:
Llwynypia
03 Sep 1974
Height:
6ft
Weight:
12lb 5lbs
Previous Clubs:
Watford
Page signed for Watford as a trainee in April 1993 and rapidly established himself as a firm fans' favourite. A consistent performer who is strong in the air, timely in the tackle and an excellent reader of the game. Page showed remarkable maturity during 1997/98 after he was appointed captain, and developed into a stalwart in the heart of the Hornets rearguard. Again outstanding in 1998/99, in which he was a near ever-present, he then had an impressive Premiership campaign, winning the club's player of the season award. Struggled at times in 2000/01 as Watford's defence began to leak goals, and fell out-of-favour at the club when Gianluca Vialli became manager. Joined Sheffield United on loan for one month in August 2001 before signing in a permanent £350,000 deal on September 11.
Paul Peschisolido
Position:
Forward
Born:
Scarborough, Canada
25 May 1971
Height:
5ft 7ins
Weight:
10st 9lbs
Previous Clubs:
Toronto Blizzard, Birmingham, Stoke, West Brom, Fulham, QPR (loan), Norwich (loan)
Joined The Blades from Fulham on July 6 2001 for a cut-price £150,000. Was Fulham's first £1million signing when he joined from Birmingham and went on to notch 13 goals in 32 appearances on the way to the play-offs in 1997/98. Not always a regular scorer but a highly- talented performer who can trouble any defence on his day. Frozen out after Jean Tigana's arrival at Craven Cottage and had loan spells at QPR, Sheffield United, where he became an immediate hit with the fans, and Norwich in 2000/01. Delighted when Neil Warnock came back for him in the summer.
Terry Phelan
Position:
Defender
Born:
Manchester
16 Mar 1967
Height:
5ft 6ins
Weight:
10st 6lbs
Previous Clubs:
Leeds, Swansea, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Crystal Palace (loan), Fulham
Phelan began his career at Leeds Utd but made his name at Wimbledon. His form for the 'Crazy Gang' earned him a £2.5million move to Manchester City in 1992. He proved to be an excellent servant for the Maine Road club but perhaps never hit the heights that were predicted for him. Moved on to Chelsea in 1995 and then to Everton in 1997 but never really established himself as a regular at either club. Was loaned to Crystal Palace in October 1999 and showed his obvious class. Palace though were unable to afford him and Fulham soon moved in to secure his services. The experienced left-back moved to Craven Cottage in March 2000 on a free transfer from Everton as a replacement for the injured Rufus Brevett. Phelan was released by Fulham in the summer of 2001 and joined The Blades on a short-term contract.
Lee Sandford
Position:
Defender
Born:
Basingstoke
22 Apr 1968
Height:
6ft
Weight:
13st 6lbs
Previous Clubs:
Portsmouth, Stoke City

 

 Capable of playing either at left-back or in the centre of defence, former England Youth international Sandford signed for Sheffield United for £500,000 in time for the 1996/97 season and although playing reasonably well - particularly in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Ipswich - he could not get a regular first- team shirt the following season. However, Sandford forced his way back into the reckoning, with his consistency being rewarded with the captain's armband in the 1999/2000 term. Injury restricted his appearances in 2000/01 and, at 33, this could be his last Blades campaign as a first-choice in the centre of defence. Loaned to Stockport in October 2001 to gain match practice after injury.
Georges Santos
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Marseille, France
15 Aug 1970
Height:
6ft 1in
Weight:
13st 9lbs
Previous Clubs:
Toulon, Tranmere, West Brom
Tall and athletic, Santos moved to United from West Brom in July 2000. A ball-winner, he is happy to sit back and win possession for his side. When required, the Frenchman is also a more than useful central defender and is proving to be a key squad member for The Blades.
Andy Smith
Position:
Forward
Born:
Lisburn
25 Sep 1980
Height:
5ft 11ins
Weight:
11st 10lbs
Previous Clubs:
Ballyclare, Bury (loan)
Signed from Ballyclare in Ireland in September 1999 but did not make his debut until the League Cup win over Lincoln 12 months later. Made six league appearances as a substitute and two more in the League Cup for The Blades in 2000/01, but was loaned out to Bury for two months to gain first-team experience.
Grant Smith
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Height:
Weight:
Previous Clubs:

 

  
Patrick Suffo
Position:
Forward
Born:
Ebolowa, Cameroon
17 Jan 1978
Height:
5ft 8ins
Weight:
12st 5lbs
Previous Clubs:
Nantes

 

 Powerful yet deceptively quick striker, the Cameroon international was signed by Neil Warnock in the summer of 2000 for £150,000 from French side Nantes. Suffo won Olympic gold at Sydney but found it hard to break into the first team at The Blades in 2000/01. Is likely to be used as cover again this term.
Lee Thompson
Position:
Goalkeeper
Born:
Sheffield
25 Mar 1982
Height:
Weight:
Previous Clubs:
From trainee
Young home-grown former England Schools keeper who is yet to make his first-team debut. Is likely to be third-choice at Bramall Lane in 2001/02 behind Simon Tracey and Wilko de Vogt.
Michael Tonge
Position:
Midfield
Born:
Manchester
07 Apr 1983
Height:
6ft
Weight:
11st 10lbs
Previous Clubs:
From trainee
Emerged through the junior and reserve ranks to make his first-team debut against Wimbledon in April 2001. The young midfielder also played against Bolton in May 2001.
Simon Tracey
Position:
Goalkeeper
Born:
Woolwich
09 Dec 1967
Height:
6ft
Weight:
14st
Previous Clubs:
Wimbledon, Manchester City (loan), Norwich City (loan), Nottingham Forest (loan), Wimbledon (loan)
Tracey joined Sheffield United from Wimbledon in 1988 for a derisory £7,500 after making just one first-team appearance for the 'Crazy Gang'. Proving himself to be a talented keeper, he was on the verge of the England side when injury struck and Alan Kelly's arrival at Bramall Lane then saw him out of the side for long periods. But, since the Republic of Ireland international moved to Blackburn, Tracey has regained the number one jersey and proved himself to be one of the best keepers in the First Division. A commanding keeper who is also an excellent shot-stopper.
Gus Uhlenbeek
Position:
Defender
Born:
Paramaribo, Surinam
20 Aug 1970
Height:
5ft 9ins
Weight:
11st 9lbs
Previous Clubs:
Ajax, Cambuur, Tops SV, Ipswich, Fulham
Speedy right wing-back who signed from Fulham in August 2000. Uhlenbeek is at his best when making surges down the flank, where the Dutchman regularly provides telling crosses and incisive passes into the opposition area. Moved to Bramall Lane after former Chelsea star Bjarne Goldbaek arrived at Fulham, and made himself into a first-team regular at The Blades before injury and suspension caused him to miss out regularly
Robert Ullathorne
Position:
Defender
Born:
Wakefield
11 Oct 1971
Height:
5ft 8ins
Weight:
10st 6lbs
Previous Clubs:
Norwich, Osasuna, Leicester
Not offered a new contract by The Blades in the summer of 2001 but still with the club on a non-contract basis. Played in the FA Cup third-round win over Nottingham Forest.
Mark Ward
Position:
Forward
Born:
Sheffield
27 Jan 1982
Height:
6ft
Weight:
11st 2lbs
Previous Clubs:
Trainee
Made his first-team debut against Bolton in May 2001, when he came off the bench for the final 10 minutes. This natural goalscorer is a former England Schools Under-18 cap.
Wilko De Vogt
Position:
Goalkeeper
Born:
Height:
Weight:
Previous Clubs:
Utrecht
Signed from Utrecht by Neil Warnock in the summer of 2001, despite playing only a handful of first-team games for the Dutch side over the previous three seasons and having to prove his fitness to The Blades. Will serve as cover for first-choice keeper Simon Tracey. Made his first-team debut in the 2-1 home win over Norwich on September 29 2001.