Football
Exclusive: EFL Legend Billy Sharp Still Hungry for Goals Following Doncaster Return
he 38-year-old striker reflects on his remarkable career, family support, and enduring passion for goals despite being banned from displaying his football mementos at home. Read more on how Sharp plans to lead Rovers to success while balancing football and family life.
Image Credits: Sky Sports
Golden oldie Billy Sharp hopes to annoy his wife Jade by firing Doncaster Rovers to promotion next term, as he prepares to embark on the latest chapter of a remarkable career.
A Career Full of Goals and Memories
The former Sheffield United, Southampton and Leeds striker, who has scored more goals in England’s top four divisions this century than any other player, is banned from displaying his footballing mementos at home after being told they would create too much clutter.
Aged 38, Sharp is now preparing for his 21st season as a professional after agreeing a year-long contract with Rovers. But if he continues to perform on the pitch, Sharp admitted it could lead to some difficult conversations off it.
“My missus doesn’t allow me to put up all the old photos and stuff,” he joked. “She’s really supportive but says it just messes the places up.”
“There’s quite a lot at my mum and dad’s house. Whenever I go round, it’s nice to look at them and think about the journey I’ve been on as well as laugh at all the bad haircuts I used to have and see how much weight I’ve lost,” he told SportsBoom.com.
The self-proclaimed ‘Fat Lad from Sheffield’ added: “My kids are getting all the medals and trophies, without a doubt. But I do like seeing all of the old pictures and reflecting on everything I’ve been able to do so far in the game.”
Prolific Goal Scorer Returns to Rovers
Two decades after making his debut for boyhood club United, Sharp had been expected to retire after leaving Hull City earlier this summer. But after exploring the possibility of a return to Major League Soccer, where he enjoyed a successful stint with LA Galaxy, he joined Rovers instead.
Sharp, who has netted 273 times in only 552 senior starts, is no stranger to life at the Eco-Power Stadium having already completed three spells there before being lured back again by Grant McCann.
As he chases a sixth career promotion, Sharp insisted his hunger for goals is as strong as ever.
Image Credits: Sporting Life
Hunger for Goals and Team Spirit
“As a striker, you need to have that selfishness about you. Okay, I might make some bad decisions at times but that’s because I’m focused on getting the ball in the back of the net and more often than not, I’ve got that knack of getting in the right place at the right time with the timing of my runs.”
“It’s still a team game though and you can only score goals if you get a chance. I’m not usually known for smacking them in from 20 yards because I know where to be and when.”
Evolving with Age
Insisting he is getting better with age, Sharp added: “There’s so much more that goes into a striker’s performance these days. Off the ball, from corners and throw-ins, you have to know what you’re doing and be ready to do a job.”
“I enjoy all of that and you’re always learning. Experience teaches you how to get into those dangerous areas more regularly and unnoticed.”
“But I still enjoy scoring goals best, though, and I love taking responsibility off the ball and off the pitch too, helping to try and bring the best out of the people around me. That definitely comes with age,” he 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.