Seventeen years after leaving Bramall Lane as a player John Pemberton has returned to what he regards as his spiritual home.

The 45 year old formed United defender has been at the ground this week as he embarks on his new post as Academy manager, and revealed that it could hardly be more fitting:

"I didn't think I would come back although I obviously hoped that I would. After working with Nottingham Forest for thirteen years I started to think I was going to be there for a long time, but I have had some nice messages nice about coming back and it is great to be home."

Pemberton recalled how he first came to the club as a player in 1990:

"I received a phone call from the manager (Dave Bassett) who asked me if I fancied coming to Sheffield United when they had just got into the old First Division in 1990 after I had just finished at Crystal Palace.

"When I asked him to tell me about the club he said 'If you come to this club, and Sheffield as a city, you won't leave' - that was twenty years ago and that is why it is my club.

"The reason I am in Sheffield is because of the Blades; my boys were born and bred here and are season ticket holders so we consider this our club.

"I have always wanted to come back in some capacity and it is funny because I left Crewe and eventually went back as a player-coach, and later I left Palace and then went back there as a coach. Hopefully, this will be my final journey and I would like to stay here for as long as they need."

* More thoughts from 'Pembo' next week, and you can watch his interview on BladesPlayer.