Retired Sheff Utd legend Sharp signs for Rushden

Former Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp comes out of retirement to join Northern Premier League side AFC Rushden & Diamonds as they prepare for their FA Cup match against Burton Albion. Billy Sharp scored 129 goals across 377 appearances for boyhood club Sheffield United Former Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp has come out of retirement to join Northern Premier League side AFC Rushden & Diamonds as they prepare for their FA Cup match against Burton Albion. The 40-year-old announced his retirement last month, however, has returned to play for his former side following the suspension of Diamonds midfielder James Clifton. The match against Burton Albion will mark the first time Rushden & Diamonds have played in the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Should he feature, the tie will be Sharp's 814th professional appearance of his career. The club make the trip to the Brewers on Saturday at 15:00 GMT. Sharp first played for the club in 2005 on loan from Sheffield United, scoring nine goals in 16 appearances. He would then go onto score 290 more at senior level before retiring at the conclusion of his contract with Doncaster Rovers this summer. The striker played in 45 of Rovers' matches last season across all competitions and scored 14 goals.