Billy Sharp

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire,{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/billy-sharp-41906/ |title=Billy Sharp |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=18 April 2020}} Sharp played for Middlewood Rovers Junior Football Club as a young player. He began his career with the youth teams of Rotherham United and Sheffield United, before making his first-team debut for Sheffield United during the 2004–05 season.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} He joined Rushden and Diamonds on loan in January 2005, scoring 9 goals in 16 games for the club, before moving to Scunthorpe United in 2005.{{cite web |url=https://rdfc1992.com/2017/07/24/billy-sharp/ |title=Billy Sharp |date=24 July 2017}}

Sharp joined Scunthorpe on a permanent deal in 2005 for a fee of £100,000. During the 2005–06 season, Sharp was noted for his partnership with striker Andy Keogh, on loan from Leeds United.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Keogh and Sharp became part of the most potent strike-force in League One, scoring 38 goals between them, Sharp scoring 23 goals, with Keogh netting 15 of them.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Sharp netted 30{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/6249576.stm |title=Sharp gets Blades return ticket |website=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=12 September 2007}} times in the league in the 2006–07 season guiding his team to promotion into the Championship. This was the highest total in the 4 leagues of England.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/c/chelsea/6664459.stm |title=Drogba collects Golden Boot award |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2007 |access-date=13 September 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalScorers/0,,10794~20067,00.html |title=Divisional Scorers – The Football League – Stats – FLC |publisher=The Football League |access-date=13 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909223701/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalScorers/0,,10794~20067,00.html |archive-date=9 September 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalScorers/0,,10794~200625,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223172401/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalScorers/0,,10794~200625,00.html |archive-date=23 December 2012 |title=Divisional Scorers – The Football League – Stats – FL1 |publisher=The Football League |access-date=13 September 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalScorers/0,,10794~200626,00.html |title=Divisional Scorers – The Football League – Stats: FL2 |publisher=The Football League |access-date=13 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910085643/http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalScorers/0,,10794~200626,00.html |archive-date=10 September 2007}} He scored a header in the televised defeat to Aston Villa, which only served to enhance his reputation across the nation.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} In all, he scored 56 goals in 95 games for Scunthorpe during his two seasons at Glanford Park.

With his goalscoring feats in the 2006–07 season, there was predictable interest from other clubs in Sharp, and a number of clubs made bids for the striker as the season ended.{{cite news |title=Sharp must make decision on Owls |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/6656749.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2007 |access-date=15 May 2007}}{{cite news |title=Iron reject Owls offer for Sharp |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/6656749.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2007 |access-date=16 May 2007}}{{cite news |title=Iron confirm Norwich's Sharp bid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/6701663.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2007 |access-date=29 May 2007}}{{cite news |title=Preston confirm interest in Sharp |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/6672551.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2007 |access-date=19 May 2007}}{{cite web |title=Sharp in talks with Norwich |url=http://www.pinkun.com/content/ncfc/story.aspx?brand=PINKUNOnline&category=Norwich&tBrand=PinkUnOnline&tCategory=Norwich&itemid=NOED20%20Jun%202007%2012%3A21%3A57%3A380 |publisher=The Pink 'Un |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=20 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928090515/http://www.pinkun.com/content/ncfc/story.aspx?brand=PINKUNOnline&category=Norwich&tBrand=PinkUnOnline&tCategory=Norwich&itemid=NOED20%20Jun%202007%2012:21:57:380 |archive-date=28 September 2007}}

Ultimately, Sharp rejoined Sheffield United on 4 July 2007 for a fee of around £2 million, a deal that also saw Sheffield United's Jonathan Forte transferred to Scunthorpe.{{cite news |title=Sharp gets Blades' return ticket |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/6249576.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=4 July 2007}}

Sharp made his full Sheffield United first team debut in the opening game of the 2007–08 season, a 2–2 draw with Colchester United.{{cite news |title=Sheff Utd 2–2 Colchester |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6931101.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2007 |access-date=9 November 2007}} He scored his first competitive goals for the club in September, scoring two against Morecambe in a 5–0 third round League Cup victory{{cite news |title=Sheff Utd 5–0 Morecambe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008014.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2007 |access-date=9 November 2007}} but had to wait until March to score his first league goal, in a 2–1 win at home against Coventry City.{{cite news |title=Sheff Utd 2–1 Coventry |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7285092.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=3 November 2008 |access-date=3 November 2008}} After finally breaking his duck he went on to score three more times before the end of the season.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Sharp started the 2008–09 season brightly, scoring a perfect hat-trick (header, right foot, left foot) in the Blades' first home game, against Queens Park Rangers.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} He scored the equaliser in a 1–1 home draw to Coventry a few weeks later, but that proved to be his last league goal of the season.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Sharp did score twice more in the FA Cup including a goal against Hull City during a fifth-round replay. During the same game, Sharp was incorrectly booked for diving by referee Peter Walton who later apologised for his mistake.{{cite news |title=Referee apologises for Hull goal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7915275.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=30 July 2009}} With the club rebuilding the team following their failure to gain promotion, Sharp was placed on the transfer list in July 2009.{{cite news |title=Sharp put on Blades transfer list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/8173816.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=29 July 2009 |access-date=30 July 2009}}

File:Billy Sharp 2010-08-21 1 (cropped).jpg in 2010]]

Sharp signed a season-long loan with Championship club Doncaster Rovers on 1 September 2009.{{cite news |title=Doncaster bring in Sharp on loan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/8232556.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009}} He was given the number 5 for the season, an unusual choice for a striker.{{cite news |title=billy sharp is rovers number 5 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A61062851 |publisher=BBC |date=22 December 2009 |access-date=22 December 2009}} He made his debut on 12 September against Reading, he scored his first goal just two games later against former club, Scunthorpe United.{{cite news |title=Scunthorpe 2 – 2 Doncaster |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8263411.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2009 |access-date=26 September 2009}} With ten goals in seventeen games, meant interest came in from a number of clubs, and Sheffield United would allow the striker to move away during the January transfer market, with both Doncaster Rovers and fellow Championship club Barnsley reported to be looking to sign the striker.{{cite news |title=Barnsley reveal interest in Sheffield Utd's Billy Sharp |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/8421276.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2009 |access-date=18 December 2009}} Near the end of the season, a knee injury stopped Sharp's season but he still managed to finish with 15 goals in 33 league games.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

During the summer transfer window, Sheffield United rejected an initial bid of what was thought to be £1 million from Doncaster on 20 May, but they hadn't given up hope of signing the striker.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers still optimistic on Billy Sharp deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/8754449.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010}} On 29 June, Sharp rejected a move to relegated Premier League side Burnley, despite the £1 million being accepted by United.{{cite news |title=Sheffield United's Billy Sharp rejects Burnley move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/8771687.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2010 |access-date=29 June 2010}} Sharp finally signed for Doncaster Rovers on 7 July 2010 for £1.15 million, beating their record fee of £300,000 for Matt Mills from Manchester City. Sharp signed a three-year contract, which kept him at Keepmoat Stadium till the summer of 2013.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers sign Sheffield United's Billy Sharp |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/8789155.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2010 |access-date=7 July 2010}}

Sharp made his second debut on 7 August, scoring in his first game back against Preston North End.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Sharp also managed to score against another of his former clubs, Sheffield United in a 2–0 victory for Rovers, but was forced off in the first half with a hamstring problem.{{cite news |title=Injury takes shine off Billy Sharp's day |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/9121553.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2010 |access-date=23 October 2010}} It was later confirmed that he would be out for at least six weeks.{{cite news |title=Money available to replace Sharp at Doncaster Rovers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/9131866.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=27 October 2010}} In his return, against Leicester City, Sharp managed to score a six-minute opener at the Walkers Stadium.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} On 3 March 2011, Sharp told BBC Radio that he would need a hernia operation but would try to hold it till the end of the season so that he could reach a 20-goal milestone.{{cite news |title=Hernia concern for Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/9413256.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2011 |access-date=3 March 2011}} Despite failing to reach this milestone, bids still came in for Sharp in the summer window, Doncaster rejected two bids, £2.3 million from Ipswich Town.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Shortly after Southampton put a bid in for £3.25 million which Sharp himself rejected.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

On 2 November 2011, three days following the death of his two-day-old son Luey Jacob, Sharp netted a volley to open the scoring against Middlesbrough in the 14th minute.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/01/doncaster-middlesbrough-championship-billy-sharp |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |title=Doncaster 1–3 Middlesbrough – Championship match report |date=1 November 2011}} He celebrated by taking off his jersey, unveiling an undershirt that read "THAT'S FOR YOU SON" and was not awarded the usual yellow card by referee Darren Deadman for his emotional celebration.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/23/billy-sharp-southampton-doncaster |title=Billy Sharp's moving tribute to football after death of his baby son |first=David |last=Hytner |date=23 March 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian}} Doncaster lost the game to Middlesbrough 3–1.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/15441278 |title=Doncaster 1–3 Middlesbrough |website=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2011 |via=bbc.com}} Sharp scored another goal on 7 November in his side's 3–2 win against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.{{cite news |title=Ipswich 2 Doncaster Rovers 3: Match Report |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/ipswich_2_doncaster_rovers_3_match_report_1_3944465 |newspaper=The Star |date=7 November 2011 |access-date=14 February 2012}} The home fans even had a standing ovation and applauded Sharp as he celebrated his goal, with the player later stating that the gesture brought a smile to him.{{cite news |title=Sharp ovation, Clough's record |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/981158/the-trawler%3A-sharp-ovation%2C-clough%27s-record?cc=5901 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=7 November 2011 |access-date=14 February 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111003412/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/981158/the-trawler%3A-sharp-ovation%2C-clough%27s-record?cc=5901 |url-status=dead }} On 3 January 2012, Barnsley fans were accused of making vile chants about the death of Sharp's son as Doncaster beat Barnsley 2–0,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/doncaster-rovers/8989207/Barnsley-fan-accused-of-sick-chant-about-Doncaster-Rovers-striker-Billy-Sharps-tragic-son.html|title=Barnsley fan accused of sick chant about Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp's tragic son|date=3 January 2012|work=Daily Telegraph}} though Barnsley director Don Rowing said it was untrue, and attributed it to rumourmongers on Twitter.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jan/03/barnsley-twitter-fans-billy-sharp |title=Barnsley reject claims on Twitter that fans taunted Billy Sharp |agency=Press Association |date=3 January 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

Doncaster agreed an undisclosed fee with Championship rivals Leicester City for Sharp on 7 January, after rejecting a bid days before from an unnamed club.{{cite news |title=Leicester agree fee for Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16457350.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2012 |access-date=7 January 2012}} Despite agreeing this fee, Doncaster offered Sharp a new deal which was said to be the most lucrative deal in their history.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers offer striker Billy Sharp new contract |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16457350.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=10 January 2012}} Following a goalless draw with Cardiff City, Rovers boss Dean Saunders said that Sharp had rejected the move to Leicester.{{cite news |title=Sharp snubs Leicester. |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7430635/Sharp-snubs-Leicester |publisher=Sky Sports |date=14 January 2012 |access-date=14 January 2012}}

On 30 January 2012, Sharp signed for Southampton on a {{frac|3|1|2}}-year deal for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be around £1.8m.{{cite web |title=Sharp Shooter Joins Saints |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2594184,00.html |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=30 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201185311/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2594184,00.html |archive-date=1 February 2012}} Sharp scored his first goal for Southampton on his home debut in a 2–0 win over Burnley on 11 February 2012.{{cite news |title=Southampton 2 Burnley 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16884860 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 April 2012 |date=11 February 2012}} He then scored twice in a 2–0 victory over former club Doncaster Rovers on 24 March.{{cite news |title=Southampton 2 Doncaster 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17412259 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 April 2012 |date=24 March 2012}} On 7 April he played in his first South Coast derby, and scored twice as Southampton drew 2–2 with Portsmouth at St Mary's Stadium.{{cite news |title=Southampton 2 Portsmouth 2 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17570982 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 April 2012 |date=7 April 2012}} He scored his first two away goals for the club in a 3–1 victory at Peterborough United on 17 April.{{cite news |title=Peterborough 1 Southampton 3 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17661476 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 April 2012 |date=17 April 2012}} He finished the season with 19 goals, after deflecting a shot from Adam Lallana against Coventry City, helping Southampton secure their return to the Premier League as runners-up.{{cite news |first=Nabil |last=Hassan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17795679 |title=Southampton 4–0 Coventry |website=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2012 |accessdate=18 February 2017}}

His first goal of the 2012–13 season came in a 4–1 victory at Stevenage in the League Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/stevenage-1-4-saints-report-339695.aspx |title=Stevenage 1–4 Southampton: Report |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=28 August 2012 |accessdate=18 February 2017 |archivedate=11 June 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611035358/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk//news/article/stevenage-1-4-saints-report-339695.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19340365 |title=Stevenage 1–4 Southampton |website=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2012 |accessdate=18 February 2017}}

On 31 August 2012, Sharp joined Nottingham Forest on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.{{cite web |title=Sharp Heads to Forest |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/sharp-heads-to-forest-345718.aspx |publisher=Southampton F.C. |access-date=1 September 2012 |date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902215637/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/sharp-heads-to-forest-345718.aspx |archive-date=2 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Nottingham Forest sign Billy Sharp and James Coppinger on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19442448 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 September 2012 |date=31 August 2012}} He made his Nottingham Forest debut as a substitute on 1 September 2012 against Charlton Athletic at the City Ground.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} His first goal for Forest came on 20 October 2012 in a 3–1 win over Cardiff City.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/20/nottingham-forest-cardiff-championship |title=Nottingham Forest 3–1 Cardiff City | Championship match report |agency=Press Association |date=20 October 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian}} In total he scored 11 goals in 40 games whilst at Nottingham Forest, finishing the season as the club's top scorer.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

On 26 September 2013, Sharp joined Reading on an emergency loan deal, linking up with former manager Nigel Adkins.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/sharp-signs-260913-1077603.aspx |title=Sharp signs on loan |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=26 September 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/sharp-number-260913-1077884.aspx |title=Sharp number confirmed |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=26 September 2013}} Sharp scored his first goal for Reading on 3 December 2013 in their 1–0 home victory over Charlton Athletic.{{cite web |title=Reading 1–0 Charlton |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3631610 |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=14 December 2013}} Sharp returned to Southampton on 2 January following the completion of his loan, he'd scored twice in ten games for the club.

On 22 January 2014, Sharp re-joined his former club Doncaster Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |title=Billy Sharp returns to Doncaster Rovers |url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/billy-sharp-returns-to-doncaster-rovers-1310576.aspx |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |date=22 January 2014}} On his debut at Blackpool on 25 January, he scored in the 85th minute to earn the visitors a point.{{cite news |title=Blackpool 1–1 Doncaster Rovers |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25789472 |accessdate=26 January 2014}} On 8 February, Sharp was sent off in the match at Brighton for a foul on Gordon Greer.{{cite web |title=Billy Sharp sending off |url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/billy-sharp-sending-off-1348526.aspx |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |date=8 February 2014 |access-date=10 March 2014}} A month later, Sharp returned from suspension and scored against Huddersfield Town.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers 2–0 Huddersfield |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26395340 |website=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2014 |access-date=10 March 2014}} Sharp was unable to help keep Doncaster in the division as they were relegated to League One.{{cite news|title=Championship round-up: Birmingham beat drop as Doncaster relegated |url=https://talksport.com/football/efl/147030/championship-round-birmingham-beat-drop-doncaster-relegated-14050389735/ |work=TalkSport |access-date=26 May 2022 |date=3 May 2014}}

On 13 August 2014, Sharp returned to Yorkshire and joined Leeds United on a two-year contract.{{cite news |title=Leeds United sign Southampton striker Billy Sharp |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28773181 |access-date=13 August 2014 |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2014}} The transfer fee paid to Southampton was reported as £600,000.{{cite news |last1=Hay |first1=Phil |title=Leeds United complete striker Billy Sharp signing |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/latest-leeds-united-news/leeds-united-complete-striker-billy-sharp-signing-1836814 |access-date=19 January 2021 |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=13 August 2014}}{{cite news |title=Leeds wake up to future without Billy Sharp |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/latest-leeds-united-news/leeds-wake-future-without-billy-sharp-1826455 |access-date=19 January 2021 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=17 January 2015}}

He made his debut on 16 August, scoring a late winner on debut in a 1–0 victory over Middlesbrough to earn Dave Hockaday his first victory as Leeds Head Coach.{{cite news |title=Leeds 1 Middlesbrough 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28716615 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=16 August 2014 |date=16 August 2014}}{{cite web |title=Debutant Sharp blunts Boro |date=16 August 2014 |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/5q0uro0bzx4a1ry3sxp6c1hkz/title/debutant-sharp-blunts-boro |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=16 August 2014}} On 20 December, Sharp scored his second goal for Leeds in a 1–1 draw against his former club Nottingham Forest.{{cite web |title=Redfearn pleased with point |date=20 December 2014 |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/emjx3sy1irl21o7559oy6y8uw/title/redfearn-pleased-with-point |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=20 December 2014}} Sharp scored a 90th-minute winner Leeds in a 2–1 win over West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town on 31 January 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/1tzqyjqfvglbj13lxqdzdts9fk/title/sharp-heads-late-to-stun-huddersfield |title=Sharp heads late to stun Huddersfield |publisher=Leeds United A.F.C. |date=31 January 2015 |access-date=31 January 2015}} On 28 February 2015, Sharp scored for Leeds in a 3–2 defeat against Watford.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31562232 |title=Leeds 2 Watford 3 |website=BBC Sport |date=28 February 2015 |accessdate=28 February 2015}}

On 23 July 2015, after he was dropped from their pre-season friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds United sent Sharp home from their summer training camp in Austria in anticipation of a transfer back to Sheffield United.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-blades-target-sharp-told-to-return-from-whites-training-camp-1-7374610 |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |location=Sheffield |date=23 July 2015 |access-date=23 July 2015 |title=Leeds United: Blades target Sharp told to return from Whites training camp}}

On 25 July 2015, Sharp completed a return to Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-conor-sammon-billy-sharp-2571229.aspx |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=25 July 2015 |access-date=26 July 2015 |title=Double swoop}}{{cite web |url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/44a1lct6dz4a1f5kc2evsbn4m/title/sharp-departs-for-blades-return |title=Sharp departs for Blades return |date=25 July 2015 |access-date=26 July 2015 |publisher=Leeds United F.C.}} In the 2015–16 season, Sharp averaged more than one goal every two matches for United, scoring 21 goals in 39 games.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Following Chris Wilder's arrival as the new Blades manager on 12 May 2016, Sharp was appointed club captain.{{cite web |url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-billy-sharp-3128098.aspx |title=Sheffield born Billy Sharp is proud to become the Club Captain at Bramall Lane following Chris Wilder's arrival |publisher=Sheffield United F.C.}} Sharp scored his 50th career goal for Sheffield United on 26 December 2016 in a 2–0 home victory over Oldham Athletic.{{cite web |url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3926141&tcmuri=3154145 |title=MATCH REPORT |publisher=Sheffield United F.C.}}

In April 2017, in United's 3–0 victory at MK Dons, Sharp scored twice to take his career goals tally to 201.{{cite news |title=MK Dons v Blades |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/april/mk-dons-v-blades/ |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=22 April 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017}} In the summer of 2017, Sharp penned a new two-year contract at his boyhood club, having skippered them to promotion back to the Championship.{{cite web |title=New Contracts |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2017/july/new-contracts/ |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=18 July 2017}}

On 1 January 2019, Sharp scored his 220th goal and became the leading goalscorer in English league football during the 21st century overtaking the record set by Rickie Lambert. A further contract extension was automatically triggered on 12 January, after playing his 23rd game of the season, keeping him at the club until 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/blades-match-reports/sheffield-united-skipper-billy-sharp-nears-contract-extension-to-keep-him-at-bramall-lane-1-9534171 |title=Sheffield United: Skipper Billy Sharp nears contract extension to keep him at Bramall Lane |newspaper=Sheffield Star}} On 8 February 2019, Sharp scored his 100th goal in all competitions for Sheffield United when he scored his second goal in a 3–3 draw against Aston Villa. In March 2019, he was selected to the 2018–19 Championship Team of the Season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47710254 |title=EFL awards: Che Adams, Teemu Pukki & Billy Sharp on Championship shortlist |date=26 March 2019 |access-date=28 March 2019 |website=BBC Sport}} On 28 April, Sharp saw United promoted to the Premier League for the first time since 2007.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48026965 |title=Sheffield United promoted to Premier League after Leeds draw |date=28 April 2019 |access-date=30 April 2019 |website=BBC Sport}}

On 10 August 2019, Sharp marked Sheffield United's return to the Premier League with an 88th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw at AFC Bournemouth, his first goal in the English top flight.{{cite web |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2019/august/bournemouth-report/ |title=Bournemouth 1–1 Blades – report |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=17 August 2019}}

On 10 June 2020, Sharp signed a new two-year contract keeping him at the club until the summer of 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52996520#:~:text=Sharp%2C%2034%2C%20has%20agreed%20a,impressive%20season%20under%20Chris%20Wilder. |title=Sheffield United: Billy Sharp and Oliver Norwood sign new deals |website=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=10 June 2020}}

On 12 January 2021, Sharp scored his 100th league goal for Sheffield United via a penalty in a 1–0 home league win over Newcastle United. This result earned the Blades' their first league victory of the season and their first league win since July 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55540638 |title=Sheffield United 1–0 Newcastle: Blades gain first league win of season|date=12 January 2021 |access-date=12 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport}}

On 17 May 2022, Sheffield United were knocked out of the 2022 Championship play-off semi-final by Nottingham Forest. During a pitch invasion by Forest supporters at the end of the match, Sharp who had not played in the game was standing at the side of the pitch and was headbutted and knocked to the ground. He required stitches in a wound. A man was later arrested for the attack.{{cite news |title=Billy Sharp: Man arrested after Sheffield United captain assaulted following play-off defeat by Nottingham Forest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61488095 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=18 May 2022 |date=18 May 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/05/18/billy-sharp-left-needing-stitches-assault-nottingham-forest/|title=Billy Sharp: Fan arrested after 'headbutt assault' leaves Sheffield United captain needing stitches|first1=John|last1=Percy|first2=Ben|last2=Rumsby|date=18 May 2022|work=The Telegraph }} The following day, a 30-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and going on to the playing area at a football match.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61495291|title=Man charged after Billy Sharp hurt at end of play-off match|date=19 May 2022| website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 May 2022 }} On 19 May he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Nottingham Magistrates' Court and was jailed for 24 weeks. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to Sharp, and £128 in court costs and was given a two-year football banning order.{{cite news| first=Heather| last=Burman| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61505835|title=Billy Sharp: Fan jailed for headbutting player at end of match|date=20 May 2022| website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 May 2022}} Following the assault, in just 4 days Nottingham Forest fans raised over £15,000 to a Just Giving fundraiser to show their condemnation at the attack and register support for their former player. Following contact with Sharp's representative, Martin House Children's Hospice was nominated as the charity to receive the funds.{{cite web|url=https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/zoe-potts-3|title=Help raise £500 to show condemnation as Forest fans for the attack|website=JustGiving}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61505231 |title=Billy Sharp: Player attack charity appeal raises more than £13k |website=BBC News |date= 20 May 2022|accessdate=25 May 2022}}

Following a 3–1 win against Wrexham in the FA Cup, Sharp called the referee "biased" and said that the referee was "on Wrexham's side". Later that month, the FA charged Sharp with improper conduct.{{cite news |title=Billy Sharp: Sheffield United striker charged for referee comments after Wrexham win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64681921 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 February 2023 |date=17 February 2023}} He was fined £2,500.{{cite news |title=Sheff Utd captain Sharp fined for referee comments |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64786330 |access-date=9 November 2023}}

Sharp was released by Sheffield United at the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news| last=Veal | first=Jonathan | title=Sheffield United release Billy Sharp after promotion to Premier League | website=The Independent | date=7 June 2023 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united-premier-league-jack-o-connell-paul-heckingbottom-john-fleck-b2353281.html | access-date=7 July 2023}}

On 15 August 2023, Sharp signed for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy on a short two-month deal with the option of a one-year extension.{{cite news |title=LA Galaxy Sign Forward Billy Sharp |url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-sign-forward-billy-sharp |publisher=LA Galaxy |access-date=15 August 2023 |date=15 August 2023 }} He debuted for the Galaxy on 26 August 2023, entering the game in the 69th minute, Sharp converted a late penalty for his first goal as a Galaxy player.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-billy-sharp-la-galaxy-debut-paul-heckingbottom-message-4269777|title=Watch Billy Sharp's LA Galaxy debut goal after Paul Heckingbottom's good luck message|last=Hall|first=Danny|date=26 August 2023|work=Sheffield Star}}

Sharp scored his first hat-trick as a Galaxy player on 20 September 2023, in a 4–3 comeback win against Minnesota United.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2023/09/21/sharp-has-hat-trick-fagundez-scores-winner-as-galaxy-rally-past-minnesota-united-4-3/70917046007|title=Sharp has hat trick, Fagundez scores winner as Galaxy rally past Minnesota United 4-3|date=21 September 2023|work=USA Today}}

On 10 November 2023, LA Galaxy declined his contract after the conclusion of the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-announce-2023-roster-decisions |title=LA Galaxy Announce 2023 Roster Decisions |publisher=LA Galaxy |date=10 November 2023 |accessdate=28 November 2023}}

On 20 December 2023, Hull City announced that a deal had been agreed to sign Sharp from 1 January 2024 on a short-term deal until the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2023/december/20/sharp-agrees-to-sign-for-hull-city/ |title=Sharp agrees to sign for hull city |publisher=Hull City |date=20 December 2023 |access-date=20 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67779715|title=Hull confirm signing of veteran striker Sharp|website=BBC Sport |accessdate=22 December 2023 |date=20 December 2023}} He made his debut from the bench as a replacement for Jason Lokilo on 6 January 2024, in the FA Cup Third round home match in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67894628 | title = Hull City 1–1 Birmingham City | date = 6 January 2024 | work = BBC Sport | accessdate = 6 January 2024}}

On 19 May 2024, the club announced he would leave the club in the summer when his contract expired.{{cite web |date=18 May 2024 |title=Greg Docherty to leave as Hull City release seven players |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4nnepdpr0ko |access-date=21 May 2024 |website=BBC Sport }}

On 24 June 2024, it was announced that Sharp had signed a one-year deal at Doncaster Rovers and returned after 10 years.{{cite web |date=24 June 2024 |title=Return of the King, Billy Sharp rejoins Rovers |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2024/june/sharp-signs/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=doncasterrovers.co.uk}}

On 20 May 2025, the club announced the player has signed a new one-year deal.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-20 |title=Billy Sharp: Doncaster Rovers striker signs new one-year contract |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2qq83dxzqo |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Sharp's son, Luey Jacob, died in October 2011 from gastroschisis when he was just two days old.

Sharp scored a goal against Middlesbrough just two days after the death, and again five days later at Ipswich.{{cite news |title=Tributes paid to Doncaster's Billy Sharp after baby tragedy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15547176 |website=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2011|access-date=6 April 2014}}{{cite news |title=Billy Sharp's moving tribute to football after death of his baby son |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/23/billy-sharp-southampton-doncaster |last=Hytner |first=David |date=23 March 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=6 April 2014}} Notable tributes included: the Middlesbrough manager, Tony Mowbray, said he was delighted Sharp had scored and called the goal against his club "A goal from heaven"; the Ipswich Town fans applauded him on scoring against them and chanted Luey's name; the Sheffield United fans gave applause for him in the 24th minute (Sharp's club number at United was 24) in an away game at Stevenage; Derby County players wore black armbands in their game against Cardiff City.

Along with his partner Jade Fair, Sharp set up The Luey Jacob Sharp Foundation, a charity with the aim of raising money for research into gastroschisis and a support network for families affected by the condition.

In December 2012, Sharp's partner Jade gave birth to their second son, Leo.{{cite web |title=Footballer Billy Sharp Becomes Father To Leo, A Year After Son Luey Died Aged Two Days |date=14 December 2012 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/14/footballer-billy-sharp-son-leo_n_2303423.html |access-date=6 April 2014}}

In December 2015, Sharp's third child, a son named Milo Thomas, was born.{{cite web |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2015/december/sharp-celebrations-on-and-off-the-field/ |title=Sharp celebrations on and off the field |date=15 December 2015|publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |access-date=20 December 2023}}

{{updated|8 March 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Scunthorpe United

• Football League One: 2006–07{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2007–2008 |year=2007 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-1664-9 |pages=47, 338–339}}

Southampton

• Football League Championship second-place promotion: 2011–12{{cite book |last1=Chalk |first1=Gary |last2=Holley |first2=Duncan |last3=Bull |first3 =David |name-list-style=amp |title=All the Saints: A Complete Players' Who's Who of Southampton FC| year=2013| location=Southampton |publisher=Hagiology Publishing|isbn=978-0-9926-8640-6|pages=459–460}}

Sheffield United

• EFL Championship second-place promotion: 2018–19,{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2019–20 |year=2019 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6111-3 |pages=15, 320–321}} 2022–23{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
• EFL League One: 2016–17{{cite book|editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 |year=2017 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3397-4 |pages=326–327}}

Doncaster Rovers

• EFL League Two: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2110 |title=League Two: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}
  {{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=800&teamTabs=stats&season_id=157 |title=Doncaster: Squad details: 2024/25 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 League One,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4935884.stm |title=Gerrard named player of the year |website=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2006 |access-date=7 May 2018}} 2006–07 League One,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm |title=Ronaldo secures PFA awards double |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=7 May 2018}} 2016–17 League One,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39648483 |title=PFA teams of the year: Chelsea and Tottenham dominate Premier League XI |website=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=7 May 2018}} 2018–19 Championship{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48039297 |title=Championship: Norwich and Leeds dominate PFA selection of team of 2018–19 |website=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019}}
• PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2006–07 League One{{cite news |date=24 April 2007 |title=Murray is handed PFA fans' award |website=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6589307.stm |access-date=11 April 2023}}
• Football League One Player of the Year: 2006–07,{{cite news |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/footballeagueawards/20130325/past-winners_2293339_2191075 |title=Past Winners |publisher=The Football League |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=27 March 2013 |archive-date=6 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093653/http://www.football-league.co.uk/footballeagueawards/20130325/past-winners_2293339_2191075 |url-status=dead }} 2016–17{{cite web |title=EFL Awards: The complete 2017 winners list |url=http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/efl-awards-the-complete-2017-winners-list-3667305.aspx |website=EFL.com |publisher=EFL |access-date=10 April 2017}}
• Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2010–11{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
• Sheffield United Player of the Year: 2015–16, 2016–17
• EFL Team of the Season: 2016–17,{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/april/efl-awards-the-complete-2017-winners-list/ |title=EFL Awards: The complete 2017 winners list |publisher=EFL.com |date=10 April 2017 |access-date=27 April 2022 }} 2018–19{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/-more/efl-awards/2019-winners/ |title=EFL Official Website - 2019 Winners |publisher=EFL.com |access-date=26 April 2022 }}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Doncaster Rovers F.C. squad}}

{{Navboxes

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{{2005–06 Football League One Team of the Year}}

{{2006–07 Football League One Team of the Year}}

{{2016–17 EFL Team of the Season}}

{{2016–17 EFL League One PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2018–19 EFL Team of the Season}}

{{2018–19 EFL Championship PFA Team of the Year}}

{{Football League One Player of the Year}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharp, Billy}}

Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Sheffield

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Sheffield United F.C. players

Category:Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players

Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players

Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players

Category:Southampton F.C. players

Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players

Category:Reading F.C. players

Category:Leeds United F.C. players

Category:LA Galaxy players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States

Category:21st-century English sportsmen