Of course, that single game didn't decide Sheffield United's fate but it was the decisive blow which meant that after twelve years of despair the Bramall Lane club had finally something to cheer about.
Now that promotion was sealed the Blades, fronted by manager Neil Warnock had to devise a plan to bring in new players whilst get rid of the old.
The former Bury boss chose to bring in eight new faces; Ian Bennett (Leeds, free), Claude Davis (Preston, £3M), Li Tie (Everton, free), David Sommeil (Manchester City, free), Mikele Leigertwood (Crystal Palace, £600k), Rob Hulse (Leeds, £2.1M) and Chris Lucketti (Preston, £250k) who completed a permanent move after a loan spell.
Neil Warnock however chosen not to let any first team players leave the Lane with Simon Francis (Southend) being his only cash sale. Elsewhere; Bruce Dyer (Doncaster), Phil Barnes (Grimsby), Luke Beckett (Huddersfield) and Gary Mulligan (Gillingham) all left on a free transfer whilst Garry Flitcroft and Brian Deane retired after a lustrous long career.
The build up to the Premiership season would contain trips to China and Holland, with the Asia tour later cancelled fixtures in Scotland were arranged.
A local non-league friendly kick-off the pre-season, and a brace from Danny Webber helped give United a 5-0 win at Worksop Town, new Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood also scored with Keith Gillespie netting twice.
The Bramall Lane outfit then moved North of the boarder to play friendy's in Scotland. Inverness Caledonian Thistle were the first team to host United and didn't disappoint as the visitors won 3-0, Ade Akinbiyi (2) and Alan Quinn with the goals.
Former Glasgow Rangers and Newcastle United defender Oliver Bernard and keeper Darren Ward (ex-Nottingham Forest) lined up against Greenock Morton; Shipperley, Kozluk and an own goal sees a comfortable 3-1 win.
The Blades would later lose out to the signature of Bernard who returned to St. James Park after not been affiliated with a club whilst the Blades decided not to peruse interest in Ward.
Striker Rob Hulse joined the Blades on 26 July in what was one of the biggest transfer the Sheffield club would make in the summer. He left Leeds United for a fee of £2,100,000 but could later rise to £3M owing to extra clauses.
A draw at Rotherham United with Christian Nadé netting five minutes from time; cancelling Júrgen Bopp's effort and a defeat at Scunthorpe United ended a quite month for Sheffield United.
Results
- 11 July - Worksop 0-5 Blades (friendly)
- 22 July - Inverness 0-3 Blades (friendly)
- 24 July - Greenock 1-3 Blades (friendly)
- 28 July - Rotherham 1-1 Blades (friendly)
- 29 July - Scunthorpe 1-0 Blades (friendly)