Midfield masters

NEIL REDFEARN

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JOHN SHERIDAN

RECALLING his days as an apprentice at Leeds, David Batty said it best when expressing the admiration he had for future Athletic midfield wizard John Sheridan.

“Often, the first thing you would do after arriving at the training ground would be to leg it straight back outside to the cafe across the road and order for our seniors,” Batty said.

“It was an honour to fetch that sublime midfielder John Sheridan a bacon butty!”

By the time of his arrival at Boundary Park in 1998, 34-year-old Sheridan was already a household name at both Elland Road and Hillsborough.

A stalwart at Leeds in the late 1980s, ‘Shez’ is best remembered by the wider footballing community for his winning goal for Sheffield Wednesday against Manchester United in 1991’s League Cup final.

Sheridan’s extraordinary vision and movement in centre midfield provided the heartbeat of Athletic teams at the turn of the millennium.

A dead ball specialist, fans will recalls his unerring delivery and memorable free-kicks.

Always looking as though he was playing at his own pace, it was evident to fans that Sheridan had played at the highest level. He made five appearances for the Republic of Ireland in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals.

Sheridan is also remembered for his managerial career. He took the reins for the first time in December 2003 on a temporary basis following the departure of Ian Dowie.

After an 11-week spell in the dug-out, Brian Talbot replaced Sheridan as Athletic’s permanent appointment. Two months later, Sheridan hung up his boots at the age of 40 after 163 appearances and 16 goals for Athletic. A testimonial game was played in his honour.

After underwhelming 2004-05 and 2005-06 campaigns, Sheridan was promoted to become manager and remained in charge for the best part of three seasons. He oversaw Athletic’s last run to the play-offs, losing 7-2 on aggregate to Blackpool in the semi-finals.

He has managed at Chesterfield and last month parted company with Plymouth.


NEIL REDFEARN


NEIL Redfearn is assured of a place in Athletic folklore.

The £150,000 signing from Watford made an inauspicious start to his career with the club, playing as Joe Royle’s side crumbled to a 3-2 loss at Swindon.

But after his first season ended with the League Cup final defeat and the FA Cup semi-final games against Manchester United, energetic midfield man Redfearn played a driving role as an ever-present in the side that claimed the Second Division championship.

And what a way to do it.

The task had seemed an impossible one. Two goals behind to promoted Sheffield Wednesday while chasing a title-sealing victory at Boundary Park, Athletic hauled themselves back level thanks to goals from Ian Marshall and, in the 80th minute, Paul Bernard.

In the 92nd minute of the contest, referee Vic Callow ignored calls for a penalty kick when Paul Moulden’s cross had seemed to be handled inside the area.

Andy Barlow wasn’t for chucking the towel in, though. And when he skirted round Wednesday man John Sheridan, he was hauled to the floor.

Redfearn scored 20 goals for Athletic in his 74 appearances, in a spell which ended with a £150,000 move to Barnsley in 1991 following promotion.

None was as important as this one, though.

Redfearn had to wait a full minute as Danny Wilson was booked for dissent and police helped to clear fans from the pitch.

Then he finally stepped up, three minutes into added time, to confidently sent his spot-kick home, kick-starting a party as a new chapter was written in the club’s record books.

Mike Milligan’s return from Everton signalled the end of Redfearn’s brief but eventful stay.

The former Bolton, Lincoln and Crystal Palace man went on to play in the top flight for Barnsley, Charlton and Bradford and continued playing to the age of 43, ending his days at Salford City.

That came after stints in management at Halifax, Scarborough, Northwich and York, while a high-profile step up to the main job at Leeds was brought to an end recently.