Football

When Were Sheffield United Last In The Premier League? Blades To Take On Sunderland In Play-Off Final

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By
Cai Parry
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Cai Parry Sports Editor

Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.

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Published21 hours ago on May 21, 2025

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Sheffield United take on Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, and with Premier League football in their sights, we’re taking a look at when the Blades last played in the top-flight.

Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United booked their spot in the Championship play-off final in record-breaking style last week, as they hammered Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate, beating them 3-0 in each leg.

In doing so, they became the first team in history to win a second tier play-off match by a six-goal margin.

Awaiting them in the final are Sunderland, who sealed their spot in the promotion match with a dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Coventry last Tuesday. Regis Le Bris’ side left it late to seal their spot at Wembley, with Daniel Ballard heading home a 122nd-minute winner after his side were pushed to extra-time at the Stadium of Light.

But when is the Championship play-off final? Check out our guide for key information surrounding the match.

When Were Sheffield United Last In The Premier League?

Sheffield United’s most recent season in the Premier League came during the 2023-24 campaign.

This means that by beating Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, they will have secured an immediate return back up to the top-flight after being relegated to the second tier at the end of last season.

They finished the 2023-24 season at the bottom of the table, having recorded a dismal three wins, seven draws and 28 losses, while conceding a total of 104 goals – the most a team has ever conceded in a single Premier League campaign.

The Blades also share the record for the worst goal difference in a single Premier League season alongside the 2007-08 Derby County side with -69 thanks to their poor showings last term.

In total, Sheffield United have played six seasons in the Premier League since its formation in 1992, featuring in the division in its opening two campaigns in 1992-93 and 1993-94, as well as in 2006-07, 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Their best-ever Premier League finish came during the 2019-20 season, as they secured an impressive ninth place in the table in what was their first year back in the top-flight for over 10 years.

Wilder was their manager for that campaign but was sacked the following season. He made his return to Bramall Lane after close to three years away from the club in December 2023, where he has remained ever since.

Will the Blades bounce straight back up to the promised land, or will the Black Cats prevail in the English capital?

You can also check out our guide where we take a look at when Sunderland last played in the Premier League.

Sheffield United Seasons In The Premier League

  • 1992-93 – 14th place
  • 1993-94 – 20th place (relegated)
  • 2006-07 – 18th place (relegated)
  • 2019-20 – 9th place
  • 2020-21 – 20th place (relegated)
  • 2023-24 – 20th place (relegated)

WATCH: Sheffield United 3-0 Bristol City Play-Off Semi-Final Highlights

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Author photo
Cai Parry
Sports Editor

Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.

Get to know Cai Parry better
Author photo
Cai Parry Sports Editor

Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.

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