FA Cup: Billy Sharp targets playing beyond 40 after Sheff Utd ‘heartache’
Billy Sharp has considered a retirement in a staggering game career with only 283 goals and 10 different clubs in 21 years, showing no signs of ending anytime soon.
Three years ago, the striker was attacked by Nottingham Forest fans at the end of a playoff defeat at Sheffield United in the city.
“I was in the wrong position at the wrong time,” Sharp said.
Later in court, Sharp was always on the receiving end “Soundless Violence”.
But that wasn’t that moment that almost led to the retirement of the prolific shooter.
Instead, a year later – 37 years old in 2023 – he seriously considered packing it all in.
He has just been released by Sheffield United – a club he has supported since childhood after breaking 129 goals in three spells with his hometown club.
“I got three promotions with them,” Sharp added.
“That’s the only kit I want to wear. I just want to play for Sheffield United. When I was released, I asked myself ‘Is it time to retire?’.”
Sharp flew to the United States to overcome this big disappointment, after a brief spell with La Galaxy — including a hat trick against Minnesota — he has fallen in love with him for so long.
“Going to the LA Galaxy made me realize that I still like to score goals, I still like to play football. That’s why I’m still playing football now,” he told BBC Sport.
“The heartache of not playing for Sheffield United gives me the opportunity to experience another league and another team, and I really like playing for it.”
Now Sharp wants to get his feet in the fourth round of the league champion Premier League Crystal Palace (GMT) in Doncaster Rovers’s fourth spell on Monday (19:45 GMT) Dissatisfaction of the Total Cup – You can watch on BBC IPLAYER for five days to celebrate his 39th birthday.
“I have no plans to retire,” the veteran of more than 600 league games added.
