Retro Football: Sheffield United Boss Dave Bassett Defends ‘Monstrous’ Tactics In Letter To Local Journalist, 1995 (Photo)

Chris Wright

27th, November 2015

6 Comments

harry-bassett-sheffield-united

Photo: Dave Cannon/Allsport

Here’s a cracking little curio from the archives concerning Dave ‘Harry’ Bassett (a Proper Football Man™ if ever there were) and the “monstrous” tactics he employed to get results while in charge at Sheffield United in the mid-1990s.

The yarn starts with a particularly sour article published in the Liverpool Echo on 8th March, 1995 – a match report to be precise – following the Blades’ 2-0 win over Tranmere at Bramall Lane in the old First Division.

Here’s how the report originally appeared…

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Echo reporter Hyder Jawad goes in hard on Bassett and his players, complaining that Tranmere were subjected to a “bruising” and “unattractive” battery after describing United’s long-ball approach as a “tactical monstrosity”.

He further accused Bassett’s side of “applying their own interpretation of the laws of football” with their relentless “over-acting and time-wasting”.

It’s strong stuff. However, what really stuck in Harry’s craw was Jawad’s assertion in the opening paragraph that Blades legend Tony Currie had been fobbed off with a “menial job” at Bramall Lane in return for his years of loyal service – with his lowly duties including writing signs for the toilet doors and such.

Here’s Harry’s brilliantly brusque rebuttal, issued formally on official club stationery…

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Jose Mourinho’s petty press conference quibbles start to pale in comparison, don’t they?

(Scans via)

Posted in Football League, Managers, Newsnow, Photos, Retro

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6 Comments

  1. Hyder Jawad says:

    Wow! This takes me back. And, yes, Bassett is most certainly a “proper football man”. Later on, I had a laugh with Bassett over this incident. Probably not my finest moment but great to read the passions here.

  2. Chris Wright says:

    Thanks for getting in touch Hyder. Much appreciated. Glad everything was smoothed out in the end!

  3. Dave Bassett says:

    I don’t remember ever having a laugh with you Hyder, looks like you’re still fabricating nonsense in the media!

    • Hyder Jawad says:

      But it’s true, Dave. Promise. Villa Park. Press room. At the bar where they distributed the food to journalists. About eight or nine years ago. I introduced myself to you. You remembered your letter, and my report (obviously), and you laughed about it. You even shook my hand.

  4. Dave Bassett says:

    Looking back I do remember telling somebody to fuck off. Perhaps it was you.

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