‘Unbelievable’ - Doncaster Rovers icon Billy Sharp praised after FA Cup comeback appearance
Billy Sharp briefly stepped out of retirement but failed to score his 300th career goal
AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Elliot Sandy has heaped praise on striker Billy Sharp and claims he’s learned a great deal from having the former Doncaster Rovers star in his team for a short period.
Sharp, who left Rovers at the end of last season, stepped in at short notice to play for The Diamonds in their FA Cup first round clash with Burton Albion.
The 40-year-old striker filled in as a replacement for the suspended James Clifton, in a match which marked the team’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup first round as a "phoenix club" after the original Diamonds were dissolved in 2011.
Sharp, who scored his first career goals at the original Rushden & Diamonds during the 2004/05 campaign, led the line against Burton Albion but was unable to claim his much-wanted 300th career goal as the League One side ultimately ran out 4-0 winners.
Speaking to The Sheffield Star at full-time, Sandy sang the praises of Sharp and said he thoroughly enjoyed working with the Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers legend.
“Billy's been unbelievable all this week,” he said.
“He stayed behind for a few beers with us on Tuesday. He just wanted to be around the lads, and he always jokes that he's just a lad who loves football, and he's shown that this week. He's 40 years old, still gives absolutely everything in training.
“Today, it was just amazing to have a player like him around the group.”
Sandy, who has three and a half years of experience in management, also claimed that he was able to take a lot of ideas from Sharp, who was close to becoming the striker coach at Sheffield United midway through last season.
He added: “As a young manager myself, just listening to him and his ideas and stuff as well, I'm going to take them on [board], and I just thoroughly thank him for his efforts today.
“He had knowledge as well about Burton and how they play and certain players. So we tweaked little things to try and help that in a positive sense.
“He's obviously really clued up.”
Sharp had a big chance to score late in the game, but uncharacteristically dragged it wide of the target. The experienced striker, who has now gone back into retirement after a brief comeback, reflected fondly on the weekend despite the outcome.
“We might not have got the result, I might not have got the goal, but I really enjoyed this week,” he said.