The 1994-95 season was a frustrating one for Sheffield United as they finished the season off in 8th place, in their year back in the second tier of English football, narrowly missing out on a play off birth. For the second year running, the Blades met Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup, this time losing 2-0 against the Reds. Dave Bassett left the job in 1995 after over six years in charge at the club.
Howard Kendall stepped in charge of Sheffield United in 1995; however the 1995-1996 season saw United finish the campaign off in ninth place, winning 16 of their 46 matches. Alan Kelly was consistent in goal for the Blades, earning a call up into the Republic of Ireland team thanks to his great goalkeeping. Sheffield United reached the forth round of the FA Cup, narrowly losing against Aston Villa.
The 1996-1997 season proved to be Howard Kendall’s last season in charge at the club. United were a formidable force in the division, finishing the season of in a creditable fifth place. They earned a play off place, meeting Crystal Palace in the final of the play offs, narrowly losing 1-0 in the encounter played in Wembley.
Nigel Spackman signed for the blades the previous season, finishing his successful playing career at the club and he was installed as the new manager of the Sheffield United in 1997. In what proved to be his only season in charge at the club, United finished the season off in an impressive sixth position, once again earning a play off position; they did not make the play off final on this occasion as they lost 3-2 against Sunderland in the first round. The blades were outstanding in the FA Cup, reaching the semi finals of the competition, suffering defeat against premiership club, Newcastle United in the last four.