A lifelong Blades fan has released a sequel to his first book: Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money.
Jason Holyhead, a Sheffield local, had his second book: Still Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money, released this morning. Its publication comes three years after the first came out.
This time, the book tracks United’s comeback from the Fourth Division, after dropping there for the first time in the club’s history in 1982, to then playing in the 1992-93 inaugural season of the Premier League.
Mr Holyhead said, while “the first book was all doom and gloom” he hopes that the second instalment will “bring back happy memories and trigger fond recollections of just how far United climbed during this period”.
He also said he wanted readers to acknowledge the importance of “old club legends”, such as former Blades chairman, Reg Brealey, who passed away last month.
Mr Holyhead said: “I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. I hope someone writes a book about him.”
Sheffield United went down to the fourth division in a game against Walsall in 1981, it was the first and only time they had ever dropped so low. This book however is a celebration of how the team managed to climb their way back to success.
Mr Holyhead said: “the fourth division campaign is one of the best seasons in living memory for a lot of supporters” and that is why he wanted to write about it.
Still Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money is also set alongside the strong working-class, industrial industry of Sheffield. Mr Holyhead said it was important for him to contextualise his writing within the background of the 1980s, referencing events such as the Miners’ Strike and Live Aid.
He said: “Sheffield is a working-class, industrial city. As I mentioned, most of the players were from similar backgrounds and I think fans can relate to that.
“To be popular with Blades fans you don’t necessarily have to be the greatest footballer in the world. If you work hard and you’re willing to put your body on the line, that goes a long way.”
The book also discusses the importance of grassroots football and criticises the money that is pumped into the Premier League, often leaving smaller clubs behind.
Mr Holyhead said: “The Premier League has brought us some fantastic footballers and some good managers, but it has done nothing for grassroots football and a lot of smaller teams suffer while the big clubs have got bigger and the rich owners have got richer.
“You see newly promoted teams go straight back down as they simply can’t compete. That’s not good for local or international football – which the men’s team still haven’t won a trophy in. Thank God for women’s football.”
Still Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money is published by Pitch Publishing and will be available in selected bookstores across Sheffield today.
It can also be brought online.
