Derby County, Bristol City and Blackpool will have all shared this Billy Sharp dislike

During his 20-year playing career, many teams have fallen victim to Billy Sharp’s goal-scoring prowess.

The 38-year-old finds himself at Hull City, the ninth team he has turned out for in England following a brief spell in the MLS with LA Galaxy last season.

Sharp is currently the Championship’s all-time top scorer, ahead of the likes of Jordan Rhodes, David Nugent, and Ross McCormack. He has certainly immersed himself among the great goalscorers the Football League has seen over the years.

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Billy Sharp’s career statistics

Having started his career in the youth ranks at Rotherham United and Sheffield United, Billy Sharp made his debut for the Blades in the 2004/05 campaign before completing a loan move to Rushden and Diamonds.

During his time at Nene Park, he scored nine times in 16 appearances in League Two, earning himself a permanent move to Scunthorpe United where he ignited his prolific career in front of goal.

Sharp scored 23 goals in his maiden season, forming an excellent partnership with Andy Keogh. He went on to better his tally the following season by netting 32 times in all competitions as The Iron earned promotion to the Championship.

He would return to Bramall Lane in a deal worth £2 million but scored only 10 times across two seasons with the club. At the end of the 2008/09 season, he was put on the transfer list.

A season-long loan to Doncaster Rovers followed, where he rediscovered his goal-scoring touch with 15 league goals in 33 appearances, completing a permanent switch to the Keepmoat Stadium the following year after rejecting a chance to sign for Burnley.

Sharp equaled his tally from his previous season with Donny and bettered it the following term, attracting more attention for his services. Despite Leicester City agreeing a fee for the striker, he favored a move to Southampton.

He added another promotion to his CV, helping the Saints secure promotion to the Premier League. However, his St Mary’s career failed to take off, resulting in subsequent loan moves to Nottingham Forest, Reading, and a return to Doncaster Rovers.

Ahead of the 2014/15 season, Sharp completed a move to Leeds United but struggled for form, eventually returning to Sheffield United, where he enjoyed his most prolific years in front of goal.

Sharp helped the Blades achieve promotions from League One all the way to the Premier League, scoring 87 league goals in that time. He scored his 100th goal for the club with a penalty against Newcastle United in 2021.

After an eight-year stay with the club, Sharp moved stateside to LA Galaxy before returning to England ahead of the 2023/24 season with Hull City.

Billy Sharp has had three favourite opponents during his career

During his time in the Football League, Sharp has amassed over 250 goals and counting, making him one of the best strikers to play in the EFL.

Among the teams he has faced, Sharp has been particularly successful against several. He has scored the most goals against Blackpool, with 10 goals in 20 appearances. This is closely followed by Bristol City and Derby County.

The 2009/10 season with Doncaster proved to be his most prolific against them, scoring seven goals in five games. His latest strike came against Derby during the 2021/22 season in a narrow victory over the Rams in the Championship, taking his tally to nine against the East Midlands club. He also scored in their Carabao Cup meeting a month before.

While all three clubs have suffered torrid times against the 38-year-old, they may be thankful that Sharp is potentially coming to the end of his illustrious playing career. However, they may still have to go up against him once more should he remain with the Tigers next term.

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