Sheffield United chief cites Steel City as bigger footballing base than Leeds

LEEDS DIG: From Sheffield United co-owner Kevin McCabe, far right.

Chris Wilder's Blades beat Leeds to the Championship's second automatic promotion place last term with the red half of Sheffield now sizing up Premier League football for the first time since 2007.

Leeds are heading for their 16th consecutive campaign outside of the top flight following relegation back in 2004 and McCabe drew comparisons with the Whites and their city as his club confirmed their three-year deal with financial brokers Union Standard Group (USG).

“It’s a bigger football city (Sheffield) than Leeds and we have the fortune of being Yorkshire's only Premier club," he said.

"(It was) a horrible day in 2007 when we got relegated, and it's taken 12 bloody long years to get us back.”

“For that I thank Chris Wilder and his leadership and drive. We understand. It’s not just 3pm on a Saturday, or whatever Premier games play. Fans depend on us, the city depends on us.”