One to Watch – Billy Sharp

Rovers striker Billy Sharp is the One to Watch for the Viking’s trip to Loftus Road.

Name: William Louis Sharp

Date of Birth: 5 February 1986 (Sheffield)

Former Clubs: Rotherham United , Sheffield United, Rushden & Diamonds, Scunthorpe United.

Appearances (Goals): 174 (82)

The striker, on loan from Sheffield United, has adapted well to Sean O’Driscoll’s team scoring 5 in his first 9 games including the opener for Doncaster’s 2-0 win over the Superhoops.He has gone on to improve his tally to 12 goal in 23 games so far this season.

The striker played for a local Sunday League team before starting his carrier professional career with Rotherham United. However, his time at Rother was short lived and he did not make an impact to get past their academy.
In 2002, Sharp moved to the Sheffield United Academy. Sharp was unable to break into Warnock’s first team and in January 2004 was forced to join Rushden & Diamonds to play first team football. Although his tenure at the club was a short one, his grew to become a fans favourite. He scored 9 in 16 games, including a vital winner against Northampton town, helping the team avoid relegation. On his return to Sheffield, Sharp made his first 2 appearances for Sheffield United, both off the bench.

The success at Rushden & Diamonds caught the eye Scunthorpe manager, Brian Laws. Sheffield United agreed to the sale of the teenage striker for a sum believed to be £100,000. In his first season at the club, his partnership with Andy Keogh helped Scunthorpe exceed expectation in their first season back in League one. The strikers scored 38 between them with 23 coming from Sharp. The teenage sensation was already a firm favourite with the fans of Scunthorpe United.

The following season was the most prolific of Billy Sharp’s career scoring 30 goals. He is now the record holder for the most goals scored in a season for Scunthorpe United. Mid-season interest in Sharp picked up, with his beloved Sheffield United reportedly wanting him back. After scoring his 50th career goal, Scunthorpe United chairman Steve Wharton said that he would not accept an offer for the young striker even if it were to break the record sale for Scunthorpe United. With the media speculation rife in January, Sharp put his head down and concentrated on his game helping Scunthorpe eventually seal promotion to the championship.

With a high profile, Scunthorpe were no longer able to hold on to the striker and sold him for a club record fee believed to be in the region of £2,000,000. The striker made his full debut 5 years after initially joining the club in the opening game of the 2007/08 season. However the season was to be a quiet one with only 3 goals in the league. Last season, Sharp destroyed the QPR defence by scoring his first hat-trick at Bramall lane condemning 3-0 defeat on our first game on the road. He scored one more goal last season taking his tally to 8 in 51 and was subsequently placed on the transfer list this summer.

After attracting the interest of Notts County and Doncaster, Sharp decided to resurrect his career with Sean O’Driscoll. He has aldready won over the Rovers fans by scoring 12 goals in just 23 appearances. Taking into account his hat trick against a stronger Hoops defence and his goal against us earlier this season, he is the one to watch for our game this weekend.




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