Once Sharp by name and by nature during his Scunthorpe days, a return to Bramall Lane has resulted in a glut of goals, as first hoped
Rejected by Rotherham’s academy, 5ft 9in Sharp scored goals aplenty for Sheffield United’s youth ranks but failed to convince Neil Warnock despite scoring nine goals in 16 loan games for Rushden & Diamonds during spring 2005.
That August Scunthorpe snapped him up for £100,000 and he proved himself a livewire striker with good close control, pace and an ability to ghost in behind defenders, forming a potent partnership with target man Andy Keogh and ending his first campaign with 23 goals in 35 league starts.
During 2006/07 his 30 goals in 45 league games broke a 45-year-old club record and helped the Iron into the second tier. With growing interest from a number of clubs, the lifelong Blade returned to Bramall Lane for £2m that July. His first season back at the club was less successful, as he netted four league goals from 21 starts.