SHOCK AS DARREN MOORE LEAVES WEDNESDAY

I’m delighted this has been achieved, and I hope the football club continues to develop and will soon fulfil the dream of mine, which was to take them back to the Premier League where they belong.

“I would like to thank all the players, past and present, that I have had the joy of working with over my time here. For the many hours spent on the training ground and in the classroom, I thank you all. The staff who have worked so hard day in, day out, I thank you for your commitment and help throughout my campaign.

“Now to the loyal fantastic fans, all you Wednesdayites, I want to thank you personally and from the bottom of my heart. With all your support and passion we have created history this season and achieved our goal of promotion.

“This was most apparent during the second leg of the playoffs at Hillsborough when so many people around the country thought it wasn’t possible, we rallied together to achieve the impossible. Also the scenes I witnessed from the technical area at Wembley, especially for the winning goal, will be images I will never forget.

“Onwards and upwards to you all at SWFC and please stay together as one. WAWAW.”

The process to appoint a new manager is now underway and the club will make no further comment at this time.

bIG JOHN’S PROMOTION bIKE RIDE IN AID OF ST LUKE’S HOSPICE

Ritchie Humphreys is kindly asking for the backing of his fellow Blades as he prepares to embark on Big John’s Promotion bike ride tour, in memory of his late father John who passed away last year.

The PFA delegate liaison executive will be starting his 500-mile trip at Bramall Lane, before embarking to the three clubs where his dad saw United win promotion, Darlington (1982), Wolves (1989) and Leicester (1990), with all proceeds going to St Luke’s as a show of appreciation from the family for the care

John received at the hospice prior to his sad passing.

Along with a number of close friends, Humphreys will cover the mammoth trip over just five days, with the ride to take place between Friday 23rd June (departing at 8.30am for anyone who would like to pop down) and Tuesday 27th June, with approximately 23,000 feet of climbing to be overcome.

Those supporters who are able to sponsor the Unitedite, can do so by visiting www. justgiving.com/page/ ritchie500mile

ACADEMY bOLSTERED bY NEW HEAD COACH

Sheffield United are delighted to confirm

Matt Thorpe as the club’s new under 18s head coach ahead of the new Professional Development League season.

Thorpe coached the club’s under 16s team last season after arriving from Liverpool in October where he was head coach of the club’s under 15s, following on from an eight-year spell at Derby where in 2020 he became the club’s Youth Development