December 2022 Newsletter
Hello All Senior Blades
Hope you are all enjoying watching the World Cup, there have been some surprising results in the first week. Our congratulations must go to our very own ‘Starboy’ Iliman Ndiaye, who had a superb game against the hosts Qatar when he came on. On the BBC website he was shown to be the player of the match.
The feedback we received after our last lunch when we had Kevin Lynch as our guest speaker was excellent and looking forward to 2023, we have some more very interesting guests for your after-lunch enjoyment.
10th JANUARY – Nick Johnson with A view from the Press Box
Sheffield man Nick who has worked in the media for around 25 years has extensive broadcasting experience both on TV and radio and is a freelance sports journalist. He is a long serving reporter on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday and also offered his services as a video journalist and MC. He has penned several sports books including Match of my Life where twelve Sheffield United Stars recall their greatest games. His other books feature former stars of Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.
He recently was the stadium announcer at Bramall Lane when a record-breaking crowd of 11,137 was reached in the Sheffield United Women’s game against the London City Lionesses.
14th FEBRUARY – Russ Dennett – Vocalist and Instrumentalist
Another Sheffield man, Russ was one of the longest serving members of the band The Human League. He had a very prolific 10 years in the band from 1986-1996, first and foremost as a talented guitarist and keyboard player in their live set up. He also contributed to the song writing for both the Romantic? And Octopus albums. He toured the world with the band in America, Asia and the UK, holding very special memories of playing at Sheffield City Hall as fulfilling a long-held ambition.
An avid Blades fan, occasionally Russ also plays in the International Suite on match days.
14th MARCH – Carl Asaba, former Blades striker
I think we can now call Carl an honorary Sheffielder as he has had his home in the city for a number of years. A firm favourite with Blades fans, Carl began his career at Dulwich Hamlet and played for four clubs before arriving at Bramall Lane in 2001 where he scored 23 goals in two years. After retiring from football, he entered the motor trade and has recently been working as a co-commentator for BBC Radio Sheffield and also giving expert analysis for Sheffield United’s in-house television channel.
Carl was appointed an ambassador for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity in 2020.