One to Watch - Billy Sharp

Name: William Louis Sharp

Date of Birth: 5 February 1986 (Sheffield)

Former Clubs: Rotherham United , Sheffield United, Rushden & Diamonds, Scunthorpe United.

Appearances (Goals): 159 (74)

The striker, on loan from Sheffield United, scored 2 goals including a last minute goal at Doncaster's last home game to help his team earn a point. The striker has adapted well to Sean O'Driscoll's team scoring 4 in 8 games.

The striker played for a local Sunday League team before starting his professional career with Rotherham United. However, his time at Rotherham was short lived and he did not make an impact to get past their academy.

In 2002, Sharp moved to the Sheffield United Academy. Sharp was unable to break into Warnock's first team and in January 2004 was forced to join Rushden & Diamonds to play first team football. Although his tenure at the club was a short one, his grew to become a fans favourite. He scored 9 in 16 games, including a vital winner against Northampton town, helping the team avoid relegation. On his return to Sheffield, Sharp made his first 2 appearances for Sheffield United; both off the bench.

The success at Rushden & Diamonds caught the eye Scunthorpe manager, Brian Laws. Sheffield United agreed to the sale of the teenage striker for a sum believed to be £100,000. In his first season at the club, his partnership with Andy Keogh helped Scunthorpe exceed expectation in their first season back in League one. The strikers scored 38 between them with 23 coming from Sharp. The teenage sensation was already a firm favourite with the fans of Scunthorpe United.

The following season was the most prolific of Billy Sharp's career scoring 30 goals. He is now the record holder for the most goals scored in a season for Scunthorpe United. Mid-season interest in Sharp picked up, with his beloved Sheffield United reportedly wanting him back. After scoring his 50th career goal, Scunthorpe United chairman Steve Wharton said that he would not accept an offer for the young striker even if it were to break the record sale for Scunthorpe United. With the media speculation rife in January, Sharp put his head down and concentrated on his game helping Scunthorpe eventually seal promotion to the championship.

With a high profile, Scunthorpe were no longer able to hold on to the striker and sold him for a club record fee believed to be in the region of £2,000,000. The striker made his full debut 5 years after initially joining the club in the opening game of the 2007/08 season. However the season was to be a quiet one with only 3 goals in the league. Last season, Sharp destroyed the QPR defence by scoring his first hat-trick at Bramall lane condemning 3-0 defeat on our first game on the road. He scored one more goal last season taking his tally to 8 in 51 and was subsequently placed on the transfer list this summer.

After attracting the interest of Notts County and Doncaster, Sharp decided to resurrect his career with Sean O'Driscoll. He has adapted well and after scoring 2 in their last home game and taking into account his hat trick against a stronger Hoops defence, he is the one to watch for our game at the Keepmoat.




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