Where are the Blades’ 2005 summer signings now? | OneFootball

The year is 2005. The season is summer. “Crazy Frog” by Axel F is blasting out on the radio and bringing joy and annoyance in equal measure, depending on your preferences. Christian Bale has just begun as Batman. YouTube was in its infancy, but don’t worry, it won’t catch on, leading to multiple football fan channels. Oh, and I was two years old.

Most importantly, though. Now we’ve set the scene. Sheffield United were embarking on an important summer 2005 window. One that would contribute to promotion to the Premier League. As of the time of writing, 20 years ago, on 23 June 2005, Sheffield United signed midfielder Stephen Quinn.

So what better way to honour Quinn than looking back on himself and the other signings of summer 2005. To find out where they are now.

Stephen Quinn

Starting off with the man himself. Stephen Quinn joined the Blades from St Pat’s Athletic. In the next seven years, Quinn would play 237 times for the Blades managing 22 goals and 37 assists.

In his first season, Quinn was loaned to MK Dons and Rotherham United. It was in his second season that he broke through at Bramall Lane. He made 15 appearances and got two goals in the Premier League.

From 2008 onwards, Quinn was a first team regular at Bramall Lane. Playing 43, 44, 37, and 45 games in league seasons respectively. Unsurprisingly, the 37 league game season (2010-2011), was the relegation to League One season. Perhaps, highlighting how important Quinn was and how big a miss he became. This was further enforced when he won the club’s Player of the Year for that season.

He and the Blades made a good go of the League One season only to fall short in the playoffs.

After the Blades

Staying in League One, meant the end of the road for Quinn and the Blades. With Quinn joining Championship Hull City. He played 44 games in his first season helping them reach the Premier League.

Despite being two leagues apart the Blades and Quinn would meet again. The FA Cup semi-final 2014, the Blades put up a valiant fight. Ultimately, losing 5-3 after extra time, with Quinn bagging a goal. The Irish international and Hull finished as runners-up to Arsenal in the final.

Quinn had one final season in the Premier League with Hull making 28 appearances before leaving for Reading. He would spend three seasons in Berkshire before moving to Burton Albion.

In 2020, Quinn joined Mansfield Town where he made 179 appearances for the Stags. Contributing 12 goals and 27 assists. In 2023-2024, he helped them to reach League One. This season he played 30 times but sadly retired at the end of the season. But at 39 had a brilliant career with a great closing chapter. Alongside, Stephen his nephew Ben was not retained by the Stags.

Geoff Horsfield

The Barnsley-born striker initially joined the Blades on loan from West Brom in February 2006. During his loan spell he played three times for the Blades before signing permanently on a transfer agreed as part of the loan. According to the BBC, Blades manager Warnock and Horsfield wanted the striker to return to the Baggies but the Midlands-based side stood firm. He scored just once whilst at the club.

In August 2006, the Blades loaned Horsfield to Elland Road. He played 15 times for Leeds contributing two goals and an assist. His loan was terminated by Leeds in January 2007. From there he joined Leicester City and Scunthorpe United on loan. Before leaving the Blades for Lincoln City. Finally finishing his career at Port Vale and Alvechurch.

Horsfield, now 51, is retired. Away from football, he owns a building business and started a foundation offering accommodation and support to the homeless.

Paul Ifill

After beginning his career at Saltdean United, Ifill joined the Blades from Millwall. Where he had already made 251 appearances.

He played 39 times in the Championship for the Blades contributing nine goals to the Blades’ promotion charge.

Although, in the Premier League things didn’t go as well for Ifill. He made just three Premier League appearances before leaving for Crystal Palace in 2007. Where he would team up with Warnock again only to be transfer-listed by him in 2008.

The Barbados international had a New Zealand based playing career following his departure from the Eagles. Initially joining Wellington Phoenix and finishing at Christchurch United in 2023.

In the mean time, he managed Wairarapa United in the Men’s central league as a player coach. His first managerial role. In February 2021, he became Samoa’s Women’s manager.

Now 45, he is currently the manager and Director of Football of Wellington Olympic.

Danny Webber

Beginning in Manchester United’s academy Webber spent his time out on loan at Port Vale and twice on loan at Watford.

He made the move to the Hornets permanent in 2003. Across two years at Vicarage Road, Webber scored 21 goals in 80 games. With the Blades coming calling initially for a loan before a permanent move in the summer.

Webber got 10 goals in 35 Championship games to help the Blades to the Premier League. Unfortunately, he wasn’t as prolific in the Premier League scoring just three goals in 22 games. Overall, he scored 26 goals in 125 games.

He was released by the Blades and joined Premier League Portsmouth. Playing only 25 league games playing 17 in the Premier League and eight in the Championship due to injuries.

His final three clubs in the EFL were Leeds, Doncaster and Accrington Stanley. He finished his playing career with Salford City. He scored 38 goals in 56 appearances helping Salford gain promotion twice.

Now 43, Webber is a pundit and has appeared on TalkSport, BBC and Sky Sports.

David Unsworth

Unsworth joined the Blades on a free transfer from Portsmouth. After two previous long-term spells with Everton. After 34 Championship appearances and four goals to help the Blades to the Premier League. Unsworth made five Premier League appearances.

In January 2007, Unsworth joined Wigan on a free transfer from the Blades. Only to be released the next summer joining Burnley. He finished his career making four League One appearances for Huddersfield Town. He announced his retirement in 2009.

His coaching career began with two spells as Preston’s caretaker manager. He has been part of Everton’s coaching staff in different spells throughout the 2010s. He joined Sheffield United as head of academy coaching when Danny Wilson became manager. Keeping the position whilst David Weir was manager. Despite reportedly talking to Kilmarnock for a managerial position. Unsworth left the Blades in August.

He then became the Everton U23s manager between 2014 and 2022. He left Everton for Oldham Athletic as manager before leaving in 2023.

Unsworth is now the Head of Global Player Development at FullNinety Sports Management. FullNinety are a sports management company who represent Tyrese Campbell among other professionals.

Keith Gillespie

Gillespie began his career at Old Trafford through the academy. He made nine league appearances scoring one goal. Gillespie also got four league goals in eight league games on loan at Wigan Athletic from the Red Devils. He won the FA Youth Cup (1992) and FA Charity Shield (1994) whilst in Manchester.

He moved to Newcastle scoring 11 goals in 113 games before moving back to Lancashire. His time at Blackburn Rovers lasted five years including another Wigan loan. In 2001-2002, Gillespie won the League Cup with Blackburn.

After a spell at Leicester in between, Gillespie joined the Blades. After 97 league appearances and four goals, Gillespie left Bramall Lane for Bradford City. At Bradford he would be managed by former Blades’ teammate Stuart McCall.

In 2009, he made the shock move to Glentoran. In his time at Glentoran he managed to win the 2009-2010 Irish League Cup.

He moved back to England making one appearance for Darlington in 2011. Before moving back to Ireland with Longford Town.

Gillespie was named in the 2012 PFAI First Division Team of the Year and Longford’s Supporter’s Player of the Year in 2012.

In the time since leaving football, Gillespie, now 50, has helped to tackle gambling addictions following his own struggles. He is also now a motivational speaker.

Lilian Nalis

After a career in France and then joining Leicester City in 2003. Nalis switched from the Foxes to the Blades in 2005. He only made four league appearances. He was loaned out to Coventry and left permanently to Plymouth in January.

Nalis played over 100 games for Plymouth before joining Swindon Town. Where he played 24 times and finished his playing career in France with CA Bastia. He retired there becoming the club’s assistant manager in 2014.

In the last decade and a half, he has assistant managed Laval, AC Lens Havre, and RC Lens. Since 2024, he has been the assistant manager of OGC Nice.

Craig Short

At 37, Short joined the Blades in 2005 off the back of spells at Scarborough, Notts County, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers.

Short made 23 appearances in the Championship for the Blades during the promotion season. Before only making 2 league cup appearances in the following season.

He was made Ferencvaros manager in November 2009 but left at the end of 2009-2010. He also had two spells as Oxford United’s caretaker manager in 2023.

Now 56, Short is part of Oxford United’s coaching staff as a first-team assistant head coach. The Liverpool Echo reported in 2013 that Short co-owned a boat business called outrunsailing.

Gary Mulligan

Mulligan joined the Blades from Wolves. He never made a first-team appearance for United. Heading out on loan to Port Vale and Gillingham leaving the Blades permanently for Gillingham in 2006. He made 120 appearances for Gillingham getting 17 goals.

After a brief spell at Northampton, Mulligan went into non league. He played for Gateshead, Brackley Town, Dunstable Town, Kettering Town, Corby Town, and Harborough Town. The highlights of this time were winning the 2011-2012 Southern League with Brackley. As well as the Southern League Division One Central 2014-2015 and two Hillier Cups. With a final trophy coming with Harborough Town winning the United Counties League Premier Division in 2021-2022.

Earlier this month, Mulligan, now 40, has joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds from Harborough Town for next season.

Kyle Nix

Nix, born in Australia but represented England at youth level. Began in the academies of Manchester United and Aston Villa. Before joining the Blades and making only two league cup appearances. He went on loan to Barnsley before leaving the Blades for Buxton.

In his time in non league, he left Buxton for Parkgate. He was then signed by Bradford City making his league debut in 2007. In his time at Bradford he managed six league goals in 56 league matches. Before moving to Mansfield Town until 2011 playing 48 league matches for the Stags.

After brief spells at Gateshead and Tamworth. He then headed abroad playing in Belgium, Thailand, Australia and back to Thailand. Most interestingly playing for Customs United a club under the stewardship of the Customs Department of Thailand in 2015.

Vincent Pericard

Vincent Pericard the only loan on the list. Pericard previously of Saint-Ettienne and Juventus. He joined the Blades on loan from Portsmouth. He played 11 times in the Championship for the Blades getting two goals.

Pericard was then loaned to Plymouth, before leaving Portsmouth for Stoke. Stoke continued his career of loans as he headed for temporary spells at Southampton and Millwall.

After brief spells at Carlisle, Swindon and Havant & Waterlooville, Pericard joined Moneyfields in the Wessex League. With his debut seeing Moneyfields, based in Portsmouth, go top of the league.

Pericard is now an alumni of the University of Portsmouth getting a Bachelor’s degree in Business Enterprise Development. He created an app called ‘What’s Up’. The app was designed to help students with their mental health. With the app allowing students to raise concerns with anonymity and confidence. He also has a Distinction Masters in Accounting and Finance also under his belt. According to LinkedIn he is a non executive Director at UK Deaf Sport.