Sheffield United started the 2003/04 campaign off the back of a visit to the Millennium Stadium in the play-off final, a game they lost 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers as they missed out on a return to the Premier League.
The Blades knew they needed more defensive solidity, and they were given the opportunity to do so when Barnsley, another South Yorkshire club, released one of their academy graduates after seven years in the senior squad.
Chris Morgan made 201 appearances for the Tykes after making his debut in 1996, but he was eager for a new challenge, and Neil Warnock offered him one at Bramall Lane in the First Division.
The centre-back, who had been very consistent at Oakwell for nearly a decade, went on to become a modern-day club legend for Sheffield United after being granted the opportunity by a rival.
Morgan was crucial in ensuring Sheffield United returned to the Premier League
Recovering from the disappointment of losing in the play-off final was always going to be difficult, but the Blades got off to a great start, putting themselves back in contention for a top-six finish.
Morgan failed to stay fit consistently throughout his first year, and this interruption may have cost United at the conclusion of the season, as they finished eighth.
The league’s rebranding to the Championship did not help the Yorkshire club, who finished 8th for the second year in a row, missing out on a play-off spot after coming so close to promotion in 2003. However, Morgan remained fit throughout the season, missing only five games, and expectations began to rise.
Despite just signing two years ago, the centre-half had already become a fixture at Bramall Lane, and fans hoped he could help lead the team back to the top flight.
The then 28-year-old was a key member of Sheffield United’s defence in the 2005/06 season, appearing 39 times and scoring four goals as the Blades finally accomplished their ambition of automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Morgan’s last few years at Sheffield United were incredibly heartbreaking
The reality of the top division hit United harder than they imagined, but they fought valiantly and gave themselves a chance of survival on the season’s final day.
They went into the match against Wigan Athletic knowing that a point would ensure their survival in a winner-take-all contest. However, David Unsworth’s penalty at the conclusion of the first half meant that the Latics maintained their lead over the Blades with a 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United were relegated based on goal difference, losing to their opponents by one goal on the penultimate day, which was profoundly disappointing and tragic.
Morgan’s unhappiness from that day seemed to accompany him into the final years of his career, as he and his squad were denied an immediate return to the Premier League.
However, in the 2008/09 season, they returned to the play-offs and reached the final once more, this time at Wembley Stadium. The Blades met Burnley, but were defeated once more at the final hurdle, this time by Wade Elliott.
Morgan was nearing the end of his career, and his squad was slipping in the standings. He played 37 games in the Championship in what would be his only full season as a professional, suffering a career-ending ACL injury early in the 2010/11 season as Sheffield United were relegated to League One.
| Chris Morgan Sheffield United Stats by Season (TransferMarkt) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards (Red Cards) |
| 2003/04 | 36 | 2 | – | 6 (1) |
| 2004/05 | 47 | 3 | 2 | 8 (2) |
| 2005/06 | 42 | 4 | – | 8 (1) |
| 2006/07 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 6 (-) |
| 2007/08 | 30 | 2 | 2 | 7 (2) |
| 2008/09 | 50 | 2 | – | 5 (-) |
| 2009/10 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 10 (-) |
| 2010/11 | 9 | – | – | 1 (-) |
He retired more than a year later in 2012, taking on coaching responsibilities with the club and even serving as interim manager for both the Blades and Port Vale before joining Chesterfield as assistant manager.
Despite his late-career setbacks, Morgan proved to be an excellent servant for Sheffield United, who were handed him by Barnsley.
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