Billy Sharp interview

[YEP Digital]

Billy Sharp may have missed out on saying his goodbyes to his adoring Doncaster Rovers' public for season 2009-10 – but has tantalisingly revealed it might not be the last they have seen of him.

Click on the link for full interview: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/Doncaster-Rovers-Billy-Sharp-interview.6250158.jp

[RobTheRover]

Nice piece.

I had a little chat with him on saturday, and he is genuinely a lovely lad.  I asked him about coming back next season, and with a little mischievous smile he said \"Not sure yet, but we'll see.\"

Take that as you like.

[Old Popsider]

Let's hope that JR's powers of persuasion are at full belt when talking to his opposite number at United!! What a brilliant permanent signing Billy would be for the Rovers. Should JR pull it off, then maybe that will be the catalyst for some other strong summer signings.

Roll on next August!!

[Snods Shinpad 2]

The chairman of Donny (John Ryan) has already asked if I'd be interested (in moving) and I've told him yes.

 

[roverstillidie91]

only problem is with signing billy sharp is if we get through the transfer fee which we can afford, if say we sign him with 8 grand wages and others are earning 4 or 5 then everyone else will want wage rises which will see them getting jealous and wanting parity. Thats why i don't think we will sign sharp im afraid unless he goes the same as the to earner but can't see him dropping from 12 grand or whatever hes on at  sheff utd to 6 or 7 which is most we can afford.

[Old Popsider]

roverstillidie91 wrote:

only problem is with signing billy sharp is if we get through the transfer fee which we can afford, if say we sign him with 8 grand wages and others are earning 4 or 5 then everyone else will want wage rises which will see them getting jealous and wanting parity. Thats why i don't think we will sign sharp im afraid.

Every club has it's top earners, and, to be honest I don't think that the players with lesser wages would begrudge Billy a larger wage than them providing that he can keep doing what he would be signed for - keep scoring goals.

To my way of thinking, success on the pitch breeds success off it for example sponsorship money, therefore in the longer term more money will become available to increase the levels of wages of the lesser paid players.

That income would not be easily generated should success not be very forthcoming on the pitch, and to help get that success a 'star' man is needed at star's wages. Enter Billy Sharp at whatever k's per week JR decides he's worth.

[Filo]

Billy`s not daft, he knows where he`s appreciated and if there`s no future for him wearing the red and white stripes then the next best thing is the red and white hoops, i`m sure the KM is his preferred option if things don`t work out at the Lane. Legend status awaits you King Billy!

[Red Wizard]

I have said all along he will be a Rovers player. I have spoke with Billy a few times over the season. Told him there could be a statue of you if you stay here and keep scoring. lol. He just laughs. Top lad though and you can tell he has been brought up well from is parents.

[CusworthRovers]

How about a cheeky wage in line with our top earners and then an even cheekier goalscoring bonus to make up for the drop in wages.

No arguments from the others, as his basic wage is in line with the others.

Job done. Right John, when's my interview for CEO?

[Alan Southstand]

Did no-one hear the dee-dah interview with McCabe? According to the Sheff U chairman Billy has a future at Bramall Lane - then Seth butted in with \"but will he play for Blackwell?\" which was ignored the first time, so he tried again, to which the answer was he is a Sheff Utd player and he wants to play for Sheff Utd, of course he has a future here. He's proved he can score at this level.\" (Or something alon those lines).

So much for unwritten agreements between the Clubs about a £750k deal, or whatever the rumour was!

I think Billy has suddenly become hot property to Sheffield United - not that they ever knew he had it in him.

There's one thing for certain - Billy now knows where he is wanted, respected and adored. He can't say that of all those 3 things, where Sheff U are concerned. As always, it will come down to money and I simply cannot for the life of me see us paying out for the likes of Billy or Shackell. I'd love to see it, and I think people are holding back buying their ST's until the Board make a move, this time round. If we want MORE STH's, then we're going to have to speculate a bit.

[grayx]

roverstillidie91 wrote:

only problem is with signing billy sharp is if we get through the transfer fee which we can afford, if say we sign him with 8 grand wages and others are earning 4 or 5 then everyone else will want wage rises which will see them getting jealous and wanting parity. Thats why i don't think we will sign sharp im afraid unless he goes the same as the to earner but can't see him dropping from 12 grand or whatever hes on at  sheff utd to 6 or 7 which is most we can afford.

I know what you're saying,but don't agree. Every team have players on different scales of pay & any ambitious current Rovers player should welcome signings like Sharp to enable the team to progress. If we then reach the Premiership, everyone could be rewarded. Not everyone at Man U are paid the same as Rooney are they?

[Wellred]

Interestingly Alan, when I got my season ticket last Thursday I asked the girl in the office how they were selling.
She said we have sold more than we had sold at this time last year.
Surprising but good news.

[i_ateallthepies]

Wellred wrote:

Interestingly Alan, when I got my season ticket last Thursday I asked the girl in the office how they were selling.
She said we have sold more than we had sold at this time last year.
Surprising but good news.

But they hadn't been on sale for two months at this time last year and the early bird deadline had a few more weeks to run.

[RobTheRover]

Alan Southstand wrote:

Did no-one hear the dee-dah interview with McCabe? According to the Sheff U chairman Billy has a future at Bramall Lane - then Seth butted in with \"but will he play for Blackwell?\" which was ignored the first time, so he tried again, to which the answer was he is a Sheff Utd player and he wants to play for Sheff Utd, of course he has a future here. He's proved he can score at this level.\" (Or something alon those lines).

So much for unwritten agreements between the Clubs about a £750k deal, or whatever the rumour was!

Hmmmm, I think you will find that actions speak louder than words.  Lets see how many times Billy gets a start in the first 10 games of SUFC's season.  My guess is less than 3.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Would be a PR disaster if Blunts don't take Billy back, especially after his performances with us.

If Blackwell remains in charge then he will have to bite the bullet and play Billy. Knowing Blackwell he'll give him half a dozen games from the bench and when he doesn't score, he'll say I told you so.

[RobTheRover]

Exactly.  Billy must know where he will be better off, and it aint at Bramall Lane.  

That must be such a wrench for a lifelong Blades fan - get the chance to play for the team you supported all your life, and the manager makes it clear you dont fit into his plans.

[Alan Southstand]

I know there's the personal side of things and what Billy might 'prefer', but then there's the commercial/business side and I know which will likely be the one to prevail. Sheff Utd are further curtailing their finances (as reported on Deedah just this morning) as they still have 1 or 2 on Premiership wages! They're already resigned to losing one of their (on loan) strikers, as his demands are too great for them and Billy is already theirs.

The manager may have an argument that he'll not play for him, as everyone knows there's no love lost, but if they got rid, they've got to replace him and there comes the rub - where's the money coming from? They're gradually finding out what its like to be a Club like ours!

I sincerely hope we sign him, as it will provide fans with a clear indicator as to which way we intend heading next season and I believe it will have an immediate impact on ST sales. But I've got this nagging doubt that it will not happen and it will come down to finances in the end.

[wilts rover]

Alan, Sheff Utd dont have any on loan strikers, other than Billy who is on loan out. The one they can't afford is most likey Camara who is only on a short term contract until the end of the season.

Which leaves them with 5 others - and £46m worth of debt. So if you are going to cut that debt than most likely one of those strikers will go, but who will it be, and where will he go to?

[River Don]

I just can't see Billy leaving the Blades yet. The Sheff Utd crowd have been calling for his return since it became clear he can score goals at this level and McKabe is making noises that he wants him back at the club. Let's be honest letting Billy Sharp leave would be a very unpopular decision, I suspect most would prefer to see the manager replaced first.

It looks to me like Blamewell is just going to have find a way to play him, whether he is capable of getting the most from him is another matter. If Billy has another fruitless spell in Sheffield then that might open another opportunity for us to sign him.