Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom keeps a football stud on his desk to remind him of their play-off heartbreak at the hands of Nottingham Forest last season.
The Blades met the Reds in the Championship semi-finals which saw Steve Cooper's side emerge victorious 3-2 after a penalty shootout.
But former goalkeeper Brice Samba came to the Reds' rescue when he made a terrific save to deny Iliman Ndiaye with his studs late on in extra time, which, had he scored, would have given United victory.
Now according to commentator Gary Weaver, Heckingbottom keeps a stud as a reminder of that night with the Blades hoping to seal a return to the top flight this season.
“Paul Heckingbottom has a football boot stud on his desk, to remind him of the close margins of last season when Brice Samba, in that play-off semi-final with Nottingham Forest, made a save with his studs to deny Iliman Ndiaye late on in that play-off semi-final,” Weaver said on Sky Sports’ coverage of Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City last night.
“So, Paul Heckingbottom, the Sheffield United boss, has a stud from a football boot on his desk to remind him of the fine margins.”
The Reds would later go onto complete promotion to the Premier League by beating Huddersfield at Wembley.
What are your memories of that night against the Blades? Have your say in the comments section.
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