Hard Lines, Blades

So that's that then, United have lost their appeal to regain their Premiership status next season, and we'll be playing Sheffield derbies once again next season.

Its not come as much of a surprise to the majority of sane football fans, but it will have been sweet news to see it confirmed for Wednesdayites who will now be able to look forward to two clashes with the Blades next season.

A statement on Sheffield United's website said: 'We are obviously very disappointed by this conclusion.

'In particular, in circumstances where the tribunal recognised that the outcome of the decision turned out to be 'unfortunate in the extreme', and that Sheffield United have done nothing wrong to merit this outcome.'

They may not have done anything wrong, but they simply weren't good enough over the course of the season, and football should be decided on the pitch.

Fair play to our city friends though, it was a worth a try, no matter how cringeworthy some of the attention was in the local and national press - especially asking for the help of Wednesdayites when protesting in the city centre not long back.

I've got a feeling the first Sheffield derby of next term is going to be a good 'un...