Billy Sharp, a former Sheffield United and EFL icon, has addressed his actions in a 2023 FA Cup replay against Wrexham at Bramall Lane.

With the Blades and Red Dragons now divisional rivals in the Championship, it’s a fixture we’re used to seeing on the EFL schedule, but just three-and-a-half years ago, the Steel City and North Wales outfits were separated by three leagues, but they’d face off in world football’s most historic cup competition.

United, managed by Paul Heckingbottom at the time, were similarly looking to return to the Premier League after being relegated two seasons prior, with the squad at Bramall Lane at the time being full of experience, as evidenced by Sharp’s continued involvement in the campaign at the age of 37.

However, the 2022/23 season marks the culmination of Wrexham’s well-documented rise under Phil Parkinson, with many eyes across the world taking notice of what was going on at the Racecourse Ground.

However, it’s fair to say that the documentary sideshow associated with the club hasn’t always gone over well, and Sharp believes this contributed to Parkinson’s squad’s strange mentality at the time.

Billy Sharp outlines Sheffield United vs. Wrexham beef following 2023 FA Cup duel.

The Blades, who have won the FA Cup four times, were drawn against Wrexham in the fourth round of the competition in North Wales, which, given the Red Dragons’ goals of promotion to League Two at the time, drew a lot of attention to the fixture.

In actuality, the first game was a drama in and of itself, ending 3-3, with Wrexham originally coming from behind to lead, until John Egan’s 95th-minute equaliser prevented a memorable triumph after Paul Mullin put the hosts back ahead with four minutes remaining.

Much of the drama, however, revolved around Daniel Jebbison’s 71st-minute red card for an off-the-ball incident with Ben Tozer, which resulted in lots of back-and-forth between himself and Sharp after the replay, which ended 3-1 thanks to two late goals from the United forward and Sander Berg.

Sharp expressed his dissatisfaction with Wrexham, stating that he was not invited to participate in the documentary.I just had Ben Tozer babbling crap. “I’m not sure why they were picking on Daniel Jebbison at the time, considering he’s 6’4″ and an absolute unit.””They nearly knocked us out,” he said.

“We have the replay. “After John Egan’s late-game goal, our celebration energised us for the next game.”Just as some of their players were disrespectful to my teammates. I was the captain of Sheffield United at the time.” “One came true: he gave away a penalty off the ball.”

“After the game, Phil Parkinson thought I was attempting to get the Wrexham fans worked up. “He doesn’t know, god knows why, the families are sat right near the away fans, and I’d go over after every game, win, lose, or draw, to show that I’m thankful for their presence.”Wrexham (fans) are throwing coins at me and such. I have a habit of returning ‘give me some’.I gave the ‘tear sign,’ and Parkinson’s pushed me, saying ‘what are you doing,’ and, long story short, everything went off.”

United went on to reach the FA Cup semi-finals that season, losing 3-0 to Manchester City and winning automatic promotion, while Wrexham returned to the EFL as National League champions after a 15-year absence.

Wrexham responded to Billy Sharp’s latest batch of insults.

Unsurprisingly, Sharp’s recent comments have already sparked outrage among fans at Bramall Lane, with some claiming: “You were rattled because little old Wrexham nearly beat the massive Sheffield United.”

Another responded with: “all good fun and games.”

Meanwhile, after Sharp revealed that he is happy with back-and-forth answers from fans and players, Wrexham’s official account has responded to the Championship’s all-time leading scorer.

Billy Sharp’s Sheffield United record

Appearances

377

Goals

129

Assists

On X, a video has surfaced with a saxophonic rendition of Annie’s Song, which United play before kick-off, overlaid on Sharp’s post-match interview from the replay, during which he admits: “(I) probably lost my head a little bit.”

https://x.com/Wrexham_AFC/status/2095285960942440638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2095285960942440638%7Ctwgr%5E7a19162d7c535c895d5d9104c6ed9ba73c9ed2a9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffootballleagueworld.co.uk%2Fbilly-sharp-drops-fresh-stance-sheffield-united-wrexham-drama%2F

Sheffield United vs Wrexham will have increased spice this season.

In addition to the aforementioned backdrop of drama offered by those FA Cup ties, the Blades’ two matches against the Red Dragons this season have now been spiced up by late activity in the summer transfer window.

Indeed, Callum O’Hare, United’s Player of the Year for 2025/26 after scoring eight goals and eight assists in 45 games, has joined the ambitious Welsh club for £7 million.

Prior to the completion of the transfer, Chris Wilder accused Wrexham of “blanket bombing” as they attempted to finalise a deal for the 28-year-old, adding to the displeasure felt in S2 in recent weeks as a result of off-field concerns.

However, there isn’t much longer to wait for the first of the two sides’ games this season, which takes place in South Yorkshire on Friday, October 30th.