Football
Exclusive: Callum O’Hare Reveals How Pop Star Tom Grennan Tried to Block His Sheffield United Transfer
Pop star Tom Grennan forgives Callum O’Hare for leaving Coventry City to join Sheffield United. Despite Grennan’s plea to stay, O’Hare completed a free transfer move to Bramall Lane. The two remain friends, even though they’ll be rivals when Coventry faces Sheffield United.
Image Credits: Cameron Smith - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Pop star Tom Grennan has forgiven Callum O’Hare for leaving his beloved Coventry City to join Sheffield United.
Earlier this summer the ‘What ifs and maybes’ star urged the 26-year-old to remain at the CBS Arena rather than join Chris Wilder’s side.
Although the hitmaker’s plea fell on deaf ears, with O’Hare duly completing a free transfer move to Bramall Lane, the midfielder admits the pair remain on good terms.
Friendship with Music Artist Tom Grennan
“We’re still speaking,” O’Hare confirmed to SportsBoom.com.
“He’s wished me good luck and told me he hopes it all goes well. We’re definitely still friends. That hasn’t changed.”
“We get on really well and we’ll always catch-up when we can and stay in touch.”
“I know Tom wants me to succeed and he’ll be backing me all the way. Well, apart from when we’re up against Cov that is.”
The Most Sought-After Free Transfer
O’Hare became one of the most sought-after players in the Championship last season after scoring 10 goals in 36 appearances for Mark Robins’ team.
Despite attracting interest from both the Premier League and abroad, he chose to link-up with recently relegated Blades following talks with Wilder and has now set his sights on leading them back into the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Previously of Aston Villa, O’Hare became mates with Grennan after being introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
He even appeared with the musician, who has a number of top 10 singles to his name, on stage at an event in the Midlands.
Image Credits: beIN SPORTS
Sheffield’s Music Legacy
Although O’Hare is focused on becoming a two-time promotion winner, having helped The Sky Blues secure the League One title in 2020, he revealed he wouldn’t be averse to collaborating with some of the Steel City’s biggest bands if they chose to extend an invitation.
The Arctic Monkeys, Def Leppard and Reverend and the Makers all hail from Sheffield.
On target during United’s 4-1 friendly victory over Harrogate Town in midweek, O’Hare joked after Wednesday’s match: “If any of those asked me to do it then who knows what might happen? It would definitely be fun, wouldn’t it. There’s lots of great bands from Sheffield.”
“I got up there with Tom once, when he was doing a gig in Coventry, and he got everyone singing and chanting. I really enjoyed myself.”
“We got to know each other through his manager, who is a lifelong fan of City and has got a box at the ground.”
“Tom goes to a lot of games and is always trying to do things to help the club. We were introduced and just got along.”
The Blades begin their campaign with a visit to Preston North End next month while The Sky Blues travel to Stoke City.
The Steel City Switch
Explaining his decision to agree a switch to South Yorkshire, O’Hare revealed: “I spoke with the manager and got a really good feeling about the place.”
“I’m really looking forward to getting going and working for him.”
“For me, it’s all about football. Nothing else. There were loads of interest to be fair, but I just wanted to come to a place where I knew I had a chance of playing regularly because that’s all I want to do.”
“I’m excited about what the future holds and confident we can do what we’re setting out to do,” O’Hare concluded.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.