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Soccer

Chris Wilder on Off The Ball | 'Without fans, football is nothing'

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder does not want matches to take place behind closed doors, be...



Chris Wilder on Off The Ball |...
Soccer

Chris Wilder on Off The Ball | 'Without fans, football is nothing'

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder does not want matches to take place behind closed doors, because 'football without supporters is nothing.'

Wilder spoke to The Football Show on Thursday about the impact of the coronavirus on the club and the Premier League generally.

"We have regular updates from our medical team and the Chief Executive is in dialogue with the Premier League and taking our lead off them," said Wilder.

"It is devastating, not just from a sport point of view but a health point of view too, what is happening around the world."

The Blades manager, while respectful of public health, does not believe that games behind closed doors should go ahead.

"I'm a big believer that without the supporters, the game is nothing.

"The administrators, players, managers, players and officials are part and parcel of the game, but the biggest players are the supporters.

"The excitement, desire, enthusiasm and the commitment that they bring to the game is the biggest thing.

"I would be deeply disappointed if games were played behind closed doors - if that is the case then we'll adhere to that - but the last thing I want to do is play in front of an empty stadium.

"I think it loses everything for everybody."

Chris Wilder on non-league impact

Wilder has managed Alfreton Town, Halifax, Oxford United and Northampton Town prior to Sheffield United and is keenly aware of the impact of the virus on lower-league football.

"Every level is going to be hit and you feel so much for League One, League Two and non-league clubs because they don't have TV money and sponsorship deals.

"There are a lot of honest, hard-working people who are taking care of the clubs, and whether supporters are buying a programme or a pin - there are huge ramifications.

"It is very, very scary what can happen. You feel for everybody in the game.

"It is not like any other country, with 92 clubs and even more than that going lower down in the non-league pyramid.

"Hopefully everybody comes off unscathed, but you fear that there may be a few victims with the world's health."

Blades of glory

Wilder believes that the Irish influence in the squad helped United get to their lofty position in the Premier League.

"You go into every season with hope and enthusiasm.

"We didn't know what we were going into, it was only Phil Jagielka with Premier League experience, so you just try and tackle each game that is put in front of you.

"The players had to raise their standards at the start of the season. We didn't take a wrecking ball to the way we played; we had to tweak and bring a few players in.

"We relied on the Irish and they got us through it!"

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