Jimmy Hagan retired from playing in 1958 and the Blades were looking for promotion back in to the top flight during the 1960- 1961 season as they enjoyed their finest campaign for years under the guidance of Johnny Harris. They won automatic promotion back into the top flight as they finished the season off in second place. The Blades enjoyed their finest FA Cup run in 25 years as they reached the semi finals of the competition, suffering defeat against Blackpool.
The 1961-1962 campaign witnessed the return of the Blades into the first division, and they were in outstanding form in their year back into the top flight as they finished the campaign off in 5th position. Joe Shaw was outstanding in the United defence and the season saw the debut of Mick Jones, who went on to become prolific in front of goal. Sheffield United finished the 1962- 1963 season in tenth position. They crashed out of the new League cup in the third round, suffering defeat against Bury. The blades also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Southampton.
The following two seasons saw a deterioration in Sheffield United’s performances as they reached the 1963-1 964 season off in 12th place and narrowly escaped relegation during the 1964- 1965 season as they finished the campaign off in 19th place. The blades crashed out of the FA Cup in the forth round, suffering defeat against Aston Villa.