Lee Sandford

Sandford's place in the Sheffield United line-up seemed to be under threat following the summer signing of Keith Curle and for a while he found himself on the transfer list. However, injuries to Curle meant that Sandford started the season in central defence and he continued where he had left off at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign. Playing within his limitations his anticipation and excellent understanding with Shaun Murphy more than compensated for a certain lack of pace. Although he lost his place in the team in October injuries allowed him to return, before he was sidelined by a neck problem in February that required surgery.