Stat Attack: Notts County v Sheffield United

Sheffield United’s first match against our beloved Notts took place on the 17th Jan 1891 in the FA Cup. Just to give you an idea how long ago this was… Sir Winston Churchill was a mere 16 years old when the game was played! The scoreline is also of note: Notts won 9-1! Since then, the Blades have undisputedly held the upper hand in head-to-head statistics: they have won 45 games against the Magpies. We’ve beaten then just 23 times, and there have been 12 draws. Their ground, Bramall Lane, is the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional football matches.

Bramall Lane opened in April 1855 – Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin were still alive back then!

Jessica Ennis-Hill, who just this Friday announced she was expecting her first child, has a stand named after her at United’s ground, following her goal medal in heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.

A game between Sheffield United and Oldham in February 1984 had to be postponed when a wartime bomb was found near Bramall Lane!

A number of films and television programmes have included references to Sheffield United over the past few decades:

- The 1996 film When Saturday Comes stars Sean Bean as a part-time Hallam FC player who is scouted by Sheffield United, who then goes on to play in a FA Cup semi-final.

- The character 'Gaz' in British comedy The Full Monty is seen wearing a replica United shirt at one part of the film, and promises his son a ticket for a game at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United & Manchester United.

- Even Hollywood has got in on the act: a scene in Batman Begins features a child wearing a 1990s Blades shirt!

Notts left-back Alan Sheehan returns from the one-game ban he served in the 3-0 win over Bradford City.

Striker Callum Ball, who has extended his loan stay, could potentially start.

For the Blades, Billy Paynter, signed on loan from Doncaster Rovers on Friday, is expected to make his debut against Notts.