Enda Stevens: Key Sheffield United Moments | OneFootball

In honour of his 450th league appearance, 193 of those were for the Blades. At Bramall Lane, Enda embodied what it means to represent United alongside the other members of his back five. Between 2017 and 2023, he helped deliver two Premier League promotions.

Whilst, left-back may not be one of the most popular positions. With much of their work going unnoticed, Enda will perhaps go down as one of the best full-backs to ever put on a Blades shirt.

Here we look back at some of Enda’s finest moments as a Blade.

Signing on

Enda Stevens joined Sheffield United on 22 May 2017 signing a three-year deal. Enda was yet another in what had been and what would become Chris Wilder’s magic conveyer belt of free agents.

At the time, Stevens had just won League Two with Portsmouth aged 26. With hindsight his signing looks a no-brainer, but at the time there were some doubts of his ability to step up. Given he would be making a two league leap to join the Blades for the return to the Championship.

One man with no doubts was Chris Wilder. He had worked with Stevens before at Northampton. On signing him Wilder, speaking to club media, said: “He is an attacking full-back and the way we play, wide areas are important. He is a good age and has designs on playing international football.”

Of course, Enda would go on to represent Ireland. Earning a total 26 caps for his country between 2018 and 2014.

The Premier League Promotion run-in

Whilst many will remember the goals of Hogan and O’Connell in the Ipswich Town game at Bramall Lane. Enda Stevens hit goalscoring form at the perfect time for the Blades to earn a place in the Premier League.

He scored in the 41st, 43rd, 44th and 46th games of the 2018-2019 Championship season. Stevens, therefore, contributed more than just his dependable performances to get the club over the line.

In the 41st game against Birmingham City, Stevens gave the Blades the lead only for Birmingham to equalise four minutes later.

In the 43rd game, Stevens doubled the Blades lead against Nottingham Forest after Mark Duffy’s opener. With his goal in the 85th minute helping to calm the nerves of players, staff, and fans alike.

In the 44th game, Stevens headed home from a brilliant crossed ball from his full-back partner George Baldock. The goal and celebration captured in one moment the special connection between the two. As the Blades beat Hull City 3-0.

In the 46th game, Stevens scored a 77th minute equaliser to help the Blades get a 2-2 draw against his current club, Stoke.

Overall, Stevens goals contributed eight points to the Blades total, with the goals against Birmingham and Stoke directly earning two points. His goals are especially crucial when considering the Blades finished only six points above third place Leeds.

Interestingly, Enda scored nine goals for the Blades in total, making this purple patch even more impressive.

First Promotion to the Premier League

(Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)

His rise to the Premier League was a great moment for Steven’s career. Back in 2012-2013, he made 7 top flight appearances for Aston Villa. After playing in League Two for Portsmouth as late as 2017, to have reached the Premier League in 2019 was unbelievable.

During the promotion parade, Enda told club media: “Since I’ve come here all this group of players and manager have known is success. Everyone has bought into it and that’s what makes it an incredible season.

“Chris Wilder has brought me an awful long way.”

Appearance Record

This is less of a moment and more an explanation for his high league appearance record.

In his first season at the club Enda played 45 Championship matches for the Blades plus twice in the FA Cup. He would repeat the trick in his second season making 45 Championship appearances.

In his first season in the Premier League, Stevens featured in all of the Blades league matches. Only missing two league games across three seasons is incredibly impressive. Plus, it is incredible value for money, even if Enda was a free agent in the first place.

From there, Enda’s Blades appearances reduced. Starting with a solid 30 Premier League appearances in the 2020-2021 season. Before reducing to 23 and 12 Championship appearances in his final two seasons at Bramall Lane.

Although, his lower appearances were due to injuries. His final Premier League season with the Blades in particular was interrupted by a calf injury.

His final Blades’ goal

On 7 May 2022, Enda scored his final Blades goal and the Blades final goal in a 4-0 win against Championship League leaders Fulham at Bramall Lane.

After goals from Gibbs-White, Ndiaye, and Berge. Enda finished superbly channeling his inner Billy Sharp with an assist from current Fulham player, Berge.

Leaving the Blades

After aiding in the Blades’ return to the Premier League. Stevens brought his time at Bramall Lane to an end in Summer 2023. After a couple of seasons of injuries it was time for Enda to make a comeback elsewhere.

He left the club with 202 appearances, the aforementioned nine goals and 21 assists. Weirdly, he also got 21 assists whilst at Portsmouth.

Upon leaving the club, he opened up about the injuries and his disappointment that they limited his appearances. He also thanked everyone at the club.

He wrote on social media: “I’d like to thank Chris Wilder, Alan Knill, and Paul Mitchell for giving me the opportunity to play for this great club. Chris and Knilly helped take my game to a new level.”

“I wish I could have said goodbye in person, but unfortunately, I never got the opportunity.

“The fans have been incredible, myself and my family have so many great memories from my time at the club.”

Takeaways

Ultimately, Enda Stevens is a modern-day Sheffield United legend. Perhaps, his legacy’s greatest marker as a Blade is the comparisons of him to every Blades’ left-back since. With him being the benchmark for a so far impressive Harrison Burrows to rise to.

Recently, on social media, in the wake of the first-half against Swansea and Friday night’s defeat to Hull. Some have commented on the determination of the current crop of Blades’ players. Whilst, there are many factors, like fixture congestion and injuries, many of the current squad should look to Blades’ players like Enda to understand what it truly means to represent the red-and-white side of Sheffield.