Sheff Utd striker Sharp eyeing up Championship history as he closes in on record

Billy Sharp is revered by Sheffield United supporters.

You only have to attend one game at Bramall Lane and hear his name read out over the tannoy to know how much Unitedites appreciate the 35-year-old.

And the feeling is very much mutual.

Sharp grew up watching the Blades and his current stay represents his third stint at the club. It is a long association that has seen him play and score for his boyhood club in the top three divisions of English football.

Last weekend saw Sharp notch his fifth league goal of the season. And that strike saw him move ever closer to a personal record that he very much had in his sights before this season began.

Can Billy Sharp break the Championship record before the season is out? Let us know in the comments s ection

Since the Championship was re-branded in 2004-05 David Nugent is the competition's top scorer.

The ex-Preston and Leicester marksman has scored 121 goals in the second tier but Sharp's typical poacher's finish in the 2-0 win over Bristol City last Sunday took him to 119 overall.

He is just two away from equalling Nugent's proud total, whilst three would see him take top spot. Another chance to bump up his numbers comes on Saturday, with a trip to Cardiff City.

And with Nugent, 36, a free agent and unlikely to add to his tally again there appears to be only one man still active in the division who is capable of denying Sharp.

Jordan Rhodes, the Huddersfield Town forward, is locked on 115 goals. However, he's currently out injured and so the ball is firmly in Sharp's court.

Speaking about the possibility of breaking the record in pre-season, Sharp said: "The Championship goal record would be nice to get.

"I'm sure Jordan Rhodes is looking at it too because David (Nugent) is not playing in the Championship and me and Jordan are.

"I might get a goal and then the week after he might go past me, or vice versa.

"I just want to score goals for Sheffield United."

After a fairytale first season back in the Premier League in 2019-20, when they finished ninth, United then endured a horror run last season as they finished bottom of the pile in the top flight.

That will have hurt Sharp more than anyone, given his close bonds with the South Yorkshire club.

The only upside to relegation for the skipper was a chance at instant redemption.

A curve-ball was thrown into that quest last week when Slavisa Jokanovic, only hired in the summer, was given the chop and Paul Heckingbottom installed as permanent manager.

The 44-year-old has been told by the club's hierarchy that he will not be judged exclusively on results.

Upon the unveiling of Heckingbottom, United chairman Yusuf Giansiracusa said: "We look forward to embarking on a new era in Blades football with Paul at the helm.

"Paul possesses the personal leadership qualities and technical football skills the board feels are essential to successfully implement the board's strategic directives."

United are 13th in the Championship ahead of the trip to Wales.