Signing for Sheffield United

Coming through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers, Basham did spend some time out on various loan spells, before a €1.4 million transfer to Blackpool in 2010.

It was here Basham made a name for himself, racking up 94 appearances across his tenure including a spell in the Premier League.

In 2014, after Basham’s contract at Blackpool came to an end, he was picked up as a free agent by League One side Sheffield United. Basham immediately became a key figure in the heart of midfield, and despite play-off heartbreak later the same season, putting pen to paper with Sheffield United meant the rest of Basham’s achievements could fall into place.

On This Day in 2014, Chris Basham signed for the club on a free transfer from Blackpool. What a signing 👏⚔️ #SUFC #TwitterBlades pic.twitter.com/4LBh8019cB
— GreasyChipButty ⚔ (@GCB_app) June 5, 2022

No one thought at the time that Basham would go on to eternalise his name in the club's rich history, but some signings are just perfect.

Winning The League One Title

Just two years after the play-off heartbreak, and coincidentally two years after Basham’s signing, Sheffield United won the League One title.

Sheffield United celebrate their return to the Championship after being crowned champions of League One.

🍾 pic.twitter.com/nJECSMUnfw
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 17, 2017

Under the management of Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder, Blades lifted the trophy after amassing 100 points in total after winning their last five fixtures on the bounces. It was during this season that Basham Really came into his own.

Starting off once again in midfield for the Blades, eventually Basham was shifted more often than not into central defence. He made 43 appearances in the League and capped it off with two goals.

Iconic Goal vs Leeds United

Sheffield United took on Leeds in 2019, and what followed went down as one of the most iconic Yorkshire derbies of all time.

With both teams locking horns in the race for automatic promotion for the Championship, the game became a real six-pointer for the two clubs. Chris Basham, the unlikely hero, lined up in midfield and quite frankly had not had a good game.

However, Elland Road was completely silenced when Basham connected with a clever lay-off from fellow Blades legend, Billy Sharp. Basham slid on his stomach in front of the Sheffield United travelling support, and the fans went into pandemonium.

It was that goal that set Sheffield United up for success in their final eight games, and went on to secure them promotion to the Premier League, just two seasons after they won League One.

As voted for on the night 📊

Chris Basham’s winner against Leeds is United’s goal of the season 🏆pic.twitter.com/ODewxAiVCv
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 28, 2019

Promotions to The Premier League

Chris Basham was a key member of Sheffield United’s two promotions to the Premier League. As previously mentioned, he also scored the vital goal to secure the clubs promotion in 2018/19.

Their first promotion, which came as somewhat as a surprise given their long tenure in League One just a few years prior, saw Basham take up a key role. They beat off the big dogs in the league to automatic promotion and the scenes that followed were excellent.

No one expected Sheffield United to go on to actually secure a spot amongst England’s elite, but they did it, and Basham lifted the second place ‘trophy’ (which is really a thing for some reason) with his teammates in celebration.

After a poor 2020/21 season, The Blades were relegated back to the Championship, however they bounced back effectively with another Promotion in 2022/23.

2019/20 Player of The Season

Defying all odds, Sheffield United fit like a glove in the Premier League following their promotion in 2019.

The Blades finished 9th in the league, with their 5-3-2 approach widely praised for its innovative use of ‘overlapping centre-backs’, and Basham was at the heart of it.

The new tactics, and Basham’s form, helped them to impressive wins over teams like Tottenham and Chelsea, and will be remembered by fans across the country.

Basham was the stand-out man in this system, and was subsequently awarded the clubs player of the season award, along with the players’ player of the season award.