New book charts Sheffield United’s rise from Fourth Division to Premier League
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.
JUS News Morning Bulletin (24 March 2025)
Here’s our JUS News morning news rundown with Cassidy Chan.
Stay tuned for our afternoon news rundown at 2pm.
Sheffield Comic Con 2025
Stormstroopers, wizards, and a doctor that jumps between time, Sheffield Comic Con took place last Saturday.
Organised by Creed Conventions, the event was packed with excitement filled with incredible cosplay and celebrity guests.
Our reporter Cassidy Chan went down to enjoy the atmosphere there, but she seems to be in a bit of trouble…
Steelers claim 4-1 victory to top elite league standings
The Sheffield Steelers secured a crucial 4-1 win over the Manchester Storm on Saturday, climbing to the top of the Elite League standings.
This victory, following a dominant 10-2 triumph over Glasgow Clan, saw the Steelers extend their strong form with a balanced team effort.
After an early goal from Manchester’s Dallas Ehrhardt, Sheffield quickly responded with Robert Dowd's equalizer.
This was followed by a bizarre go-ahead goal from Sacha Guimond when David Tendeck misjudged the puck, deflecting it awkwardly and into the net, handing Sheffield a 2-1 advantage.
The Steelers seized control in the second period, with Dowd scoring again to make it 3-1 and Marco Vallerand adding a rebound goal to extend the lead to 4-1.
Despite a few moments of tension and Manchester’s efforts to fight back, Sheffield's defence and net minding, led by Matthew Greenfield, kept Manchester Storm at bay.
Greenfield finished the game with an impressive 96.15% save percentage, with Sheffield outshooting Manchester 32-26.
Dowd's two-goal performance earned him Man of the Match honours, and the Steelers then sat one point clear at the top of the standings.
Aaron Fox said: "It's a huge weekend for us, hopefully we've put pressure on Belfast and Nottingham.
"It should be an interesting next couple of weeks".
The Steelers, who are currently second in the league, have their work cut out, though, as the Belfast Giants, are at the top, after their 5-2 win over the Guilford Flames, yesterday.
Sheffield’s next challenge comes at home against the Dundee Stars on Saturday, followed by a Sunday trip to face the Fife Flyers, who currently at the bottom of the table.
Peregrine falcons lay eggs at St George’s Church
Birdwatchers are thrilled by the return of peregrine falcons to an inner city nest in Sheffield, where a pair has laid three eggs in the past week - with a potential fourth expected tonight.
The birds are using an artificial platform at St George’s Church on Mappin Street, which was installed in 2012 by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Bird Study Group to create an urban nesting space.
Currently a university lecture theatre, the church has since seen 34 chicks fledge successfully, with 40,000 viewers tuning into a 24-hour livestream of the nest every year to watch them grow.
Chris Greenwood, a trustee at the Sheffield Bird Study Group, which champions avian conservation in the city, said the first egg of the year was laid on 17 March by a female who has been nesting at the site since 2020.
He said: “It's fantastic to have such an iconic species in such an accessible place for humans to appreciate.
“There's an opportunity to come down and look in person with a pair of binoculars, or watch them on the webcams, and I think that’s a great way of engaging people with nature.”
Mr Greenwood said the church’s height makes the spot an ideal nesting place for peregrines, which historically live on cliffs that allow them to dive-bomb their prey at speeds of over 180 mph.
He said: “For them to be successful, there’s obviously a good amount of prey [in the area].
“I've seen the current female go out from the platform and be back with a pigeon in about two minutes, which is phenomenal. So there’s plenty here for them.”
The eggs are expected to hatch by the end of April, after which experts from the group will scale the church to ring the chicks and record their measurements, aiding scientific research into these birds.
In the meantime, 18-year-old Zoology student Freya Dunbar-Simms, who chose to study at the University of Sheffield after spotting the peregrines during an open day last year, has been enlisted to help monitor the nest.
Ms Dunbar-Simms will be watching the live cameras around the clock to record key moments in the birds’ lives, such as when the eggs hatch and what the chicks are fed.
She said: “I’ll also be coming down whenever I can after lectures to watch them in person.
“I think it’s just so important to help protect them and research them, so it’s great to be able to get involved.”
Although the peregrines go largely unnoticed by hundreds of students who attend lectures at the church every weekday, the noisy birds have caught the attention of some eagle-eyed enthusiasts.
Min Tayza, a 21-year-old who recently joined the University of Sheffield Birdwatching Society, said he was amazed to see a peregrine for the first time.
He said: “What a lifer! I just started birdwatching and I’ve already seen a peregrine falcon.
“It’s a superlative, and I see it as one of my first 20 birds. It’s crazy.”
Sheffield Bird Study Group said anyone who wants to help monitor the nest over the breeding season can get in touch with them via their website here.
Sheffield dance teacher recognised at Lord Mayor Awards
A Sheffield dance teacher was awarded for her 53 years of outstanding contribution to education at the Lord Mayor Awards on 13 March.
Cheriene Bailey, 70, first started teaching dance at 17 years old when she opened her own business and said that she doesn’t know life without dance and teaching is what she was born to do.
Mrs Bailey has taught thousands of students across Sheffield, many of whom have gone on to have professional careers from ballet dancers to performing on the West End.
One former student, Jay Olpin, now stars in The Play That Goes Wrong on the West End. He said he carries the discipline that Mrs Bailey taught him in his acting.
He described Mrs Bailey as ”Incredibly passionate, very ambitious and very inspiring, very dedicated and had real amazing attention to detail.”
He said: “One time when I was around 12 she said I was perfect - that moment always stayed with me.
“Her words meant something.”
When talking about her former students, Mrs Bailey said: “We’ve had lots of success but also I've been very keen on high standards, but also I've been very much a friend and mentor to thousands of children and students.”
Jacob Whawell first joined Bailey-Cox Dance Academy at 8-years-old. He has since gone on to perform all over the world on cruise ships and starred in the West End show Cats.
He said: “Cheriene had the most incredible command of any room she walked into. Forever poised, she grabbed everyone’s attention and focus, and without ever raising her voice, was instantly respected.
“She helped raise many generations of young people and really made the community a better place.”
Adam Davies first started dancing at 3-years-old when he saw his sister in class.
He said: “Mrs Bailey could be quite scary but that was more because she wanted the most out of everybody.”
Adam has since gone on to work in 14 different countries at various ballet and contemporary companies.
The professional dancer described the time Mrs Bailey watched him perform at The Lyceum in Sheffield as a “full circle moment”.
Mrs Bailey spoke about her love for Sheffield at the mayoral awards: “We're a northern city, it's very friendly, very caring and It’s a beautiful place to live.”
She now teaches adult dance classes for older students. Speaking about this, she said: “I'm in a position to become their friend and it feels like we’re forming a community for those people and that's really special.”
On Sheffield Wire today
Good morning and welcome to today’s coverage of news from across South Yorkshire. It’s Monday 24 March 2025.
Our top stories today include:
- Drax Power Station greenwashing: Reporter Joseph Murphy spoke to a large protest group who are calling on the University of Sheffield to cut ties with the UK's biggest polluter.
- Peregrines return to St George’s nest: Reporter Billy Clarke interviewed Chris Greenwood, a trustee at the Sheffield Bird Study Group after a peregrine pair laid three eggs in a nest on top of St. George’s Church in Sheffield, with a possible fourth due to be laid on Monday.
- Disability cuts: Following the controversial announcement last week, our reporters Phoebe Snedker and Rianna Lobo spoke to people in Sheffield personally affected.
JUS News 4:30 Programme (10 March 2025)
Watch our 4:30 pragramme for news across Sheffield and South Yorkshire on 10th March 2025 with Alex Crombie and Kezhen Wu.
Repairs underway at BMX track after motorbike damage
Volunteers are helping to restore a BMX track in Crookes after it was damaged by illegal off-road motorbikes in February.
The track, which has been operating for over 40 years, is owned by the council but relies solely on donations and volunteers from the community to stay open.
JUS News afternoon bulletin (17 March 2025)
Here’s our JUS News afternoon news rundown with Ollie Clay.
Stay tuned for our main news programme at 4:30pm with Maddi Fearn and Jaz Steele.
What regeneration works in Sheffield can tell us about the future of Britain’s hidden rivers
The re-opening of the River Sheaf last month as part of regeneration works at Castlegate, made headlines across Sheffield and the UK.
With bold plans for regeneration of the city’s rivers, there’s much for nature lovers to be excited about, and plenty of existing work for the City Council to build on. In the words of the Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust, “Sheffield has a long history of both trashing and restoring its rivers”.
But what does this mean for the city’s waterways - and what implications might it have across the UK?
A History of Sheffield’s Rivers
Like most of Britain’s large industrial cities, Sheffield owes its growth and prosperity - indeed, its very existence - to its rivers. The Don, Porter and Sheaf were exploited to power, cool, and supply South Yorkshire’s most significant local industries - beginning with the grinding wheels of the ‘Little Mesters’, Sheffield’s iconic artisan cutlery-makers in the 18th and 19th century.
Later, the city’s rivers fuelled the golden age of steel working in the city, as people-intensive labour expanded them into a flourishing canal network serving nearby Yorkshire collieries. Simon Ogden, chair of the Sheaf & Porter Trust, praised the heritage value of the “900-year history”, left exposed at Castlegate and similar sites.
But heavy industry and a growing population had their price. Human waste and industrial runoff turned the city waterways into open-air sewers, with devastating consequences for local ecosystems. Many vanished off the map altogether, paved over or shrouded with culverts, with Sheffield Station virtually afloat on a network of ponds and tributary streams.
These days, however, the future of Sheffield’s rivers is looking rosier, with the Castlegate works being just the latest in moves to boost water quality in the city. In 2017, culverting was removed on a section of the Porter to create the Matilda St. Pocket Park, touted by the Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust as a showcase for “the potential for green-blue public space, habitat creation and making room for the river”.
Andy Buck, a trustee at the Sheaf & Porter Trust, praised Sheffield’s standing “track record of doing work in the city to improve ecology and public access”, citing examples such as the Five Weirs Walk, which extends along the Don from Castlegate to Meadowhall.
The Bailey Bridge, along the Five Weirs Walk. Credit: Graham Hogg / CCBY-SA 2.0
Nature and Ecosystems
Beyond its implications for public space, river deculverting - alongside the disappearance of pollution-intensive industry - has led to appreciable improvements to biodiversity. Recent years have seen a range of positive signs, from the recovery of once-decimated fish stocks to the return of otters to the River Don.
Mr Buck said that the replacement of a weir with a fish pass at the Castlegate site may even allow for the passage of salmon through the city centre. For waterways that remain culverted, meanwhile, he spoke of plans to proceed with “daylighting” mechanisms - using light well technologies to improve ecosystem health.
There remain, however, areas of significant ecological concern, such as the decline of water vole populations due to habitat destruction; it must be hoped that future regeneration work on Sheffield’s rivers take this into account.
And these works are being planned in their multitudes, by Sheffield City Council and its partner organisations. The Castlegate works are set to advance, with a routeway for pedestrians leading through the site; meanwhile, the Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust has praised the “strong place-making potential” of development and re-naturalisation plans along the Lower Porter.
Councillor Ben Miskell, of the council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee, said: “We hope there’ll be plenty of opportunities to open up more sections of our waterways, such as the Porter Brook. We’ve been working closely with partners, including the Trust, to help bring these plans to life.”
Sheffield’s Cultural Heritage
Riverine regeneration projects such as these also have implications for heritage in Sheffield. In addition to shaping its physical landscape and economy, South Yorkshire’s rivers have left an indelible cultural imprint upon Sheffield.
A recent exhibition at the Weston Park Museum explored the myriad interactions between river ecosystems and human life in South Yorkshire, from art and music to scientific research.
The Sheaf & Porter Trust has contributed to a variety of historical projects within the built landscape of the city, including a restored ‘Information Wheel’ at the River Sheaf Walk along Saxon Road, commemorating the city’s natural and industrial heritage.
A Model for the Future?
This all raises an interesting question - is this model replicable? Deculverting is hardly a new method of urban regeneration, with similar plans being put into practice in other parts of the country for over a decade.
But the synthesis of regeneration, rewilding, and heritage preservation here seems like it carries lessons for elsewhere in the UK. Many of Britain’s industrial cities have a similar relationship, in greater or lesser degree, to their own lost subterranean rivers. Most famously, dozens of the River Thames’ tributaries lie buried beneath the streets of London, including the Fleet and the Tyburn.
Certainly, the existing works are informed by existing technical experience in the field. Cllr Miskell told Sheffield Wire: “We’re always learning from other regeneration projects – both across the UK and internationally – to help shape our approach to transforming the Castle site and wider areas of the city.”
Mr Ogden cited the Wandell in South London and the Cheonggyecheon in South Korea as exemplars for the Castlegate project, while Mr. Buck praised similar work on the River Medlock in Manchester.
As things stand, then, there is much to be optimistic about for the future of Sheffield’s rivers. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Mr Buck said, expressing hope that the productive cooperation between local authorities and civil society will continue.
With regeneration opportunities and conservation milestones abounding, if current trends continue, we may be standing on the banks of a healthier, greener city centre.
South Yorkshire Mayor set to approve plans to franchise bus network
Tomorrow, Oliver Coppard is expected to approve plans to franchise Sheffield's bus network, after declining services have left residents feeling "isolated".
In recent years the bus services in South Yorkshire have declined while fares have risen, leading to a growing number of people calling for the service to be publicly funded.
Liberal Democrats Councillor Rob Reiss said residents in High Green have complained of an irregular and unreliable service which leaves them waiting for hours, sometimes even stranded.
He said: "Even though it’s a service that goes to High Green on paper, it stops at Chapeltown with no warning, stranding communities."
High Green resident Frances Haigh said residents are sometimes left waiting in the cold for an hour and a half, and it has got so bad that some people avoid going into to town all together, leaving them isolated.
At the moment, private companies such as First Bus and Stagecoach operate the buses across South Yorkshire but if the mayor decides to approve the franchising tomorrow, routes, timetables and fares could be set by the the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA) instead.
The public consultation for the scheme showed "overwhelming support", as it could mean that money from the more profitable routes is reinvested in more isolated areas.
The Better Buses campaign have argued that a lack of good, reliable public transport means the 26 percent of people who do not have access to a car cannot lead normal, predictable lives.
The meeting will take place at 11am tomorrow, and can be watched live here.