Billy Sharp has hailed Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premier League as a dream come true.
Captain Sharp, who played 39 times for Nottingham Forest in 2012, has netted 24 goals this this season to help guide his boyhood club back to the top division with a game to spare.
The Blades were effectively promoted on Saturday night after beating already relegated Ipswich 2-0 at Bramall Lane to extend their lead over Leeds United to six points and a much stronger goal difference.
Their promotion was rubber-stamped when Leeds were held to a controversial 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, and Sharp admits he’s going to enjoy every minute of the celebrations.
"Our Blades dreams come true again, what a season, what a club, what a set of lads. Thank you boys - the BLADES are going up,” the 33-year-old former Red wrote on Twitter.
The Blades last played in the top flight in the 2006/07 season, lasting just the one campaign before being relegated back to the Championship, a stint in the top flight Sharp missed out on having been sold to Scunthorpe, but now he hopes to make up for lost time.
"I knew I had to make it happen this time because it didn't quite happen the last time I was at Sheffield United, and it hurt me,” he said.
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"I was disappointed when I left. But I'm delighted I'm back now and I just want to enjoy the ride with the rest of the boys.
"To get one promotion with my boyhood club is something, but then do it twice and get to the Premier League is incredible and I'm going to enjoy every bit of it now.
"I've seen on TV that we are lacking in Premier League appearances [among the squad].
"I've only got two, and Chris Basham and Enda Stevens have played there as well, so we'll need to add some players who've got that experience and have the quality we will need to stay in the best league in the world."
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