'Senseless attack by fan hasn't put me off' - Sharp targets playing beyond 40
Billy Sharp has only once considered retirement during a phenomenal playing career spanning 21 years, 283 goals and 10 different clubs - and which shows no sign of ending any time soon.
Three years ago the striker was attacked by a Nottingham Forest fan at the end of Sheffield United's play-off defeat at the City Ground.
"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Sharp says about being headbutted and requiring stitches to his lip.
It was later said in court that Sharp had been on the receiving end of a "senseless act of violence".
But it was not that moment that almost led the prolific goalscorer to retire.
Instead it was a year later - in 2023 at the age of 37 - that he seriously considered packing it all in.
He had just been released by Sheffield United - the club he grew up supporting as a boy - after scoring 129 goals in 377 appearances across three spells with his hometown club.
"I'd had three promotions with them," adds Sharp, who has scored in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
"That was the only kit I wanted to wear. I just wanted to play for Sheffield United. When I was released I asked myself 'is it time to retire?'."
Sharp flew to the United States to get over that major disappointment and after a short spell with LA Galaxy - which included a hat-trick against Minnesota United - he had fallen back in love with the game he has graced for so long.
"Going to LA Galaxy made me realise I still love scoring goals, I still love playing football. That's why I'm still playing now," he tells BBC Sport.
"The heartache of not playing for Sheffield United gave me an opportunity to experience another league and another team, who I really enjoyed playing for."
Now in his fourth spell at Doncaster Rovers, Sharp wants to cause an FA Cup upset when the League Two club host Premier League Crystal Palace in the fourth round on Monday (19:45 GMT) - which you can watch on BBC iPlayer - five days after celebrating his 39th birthday.
"I've no plans to retire," adds the veteran of more than 600 league games.
'I was more hurt we lost the game'
Sharp was 18 when he made his Sheffield United debut under Neil Warnock in 2004 in a team featuring Phil Jagielka, Paddy Kenny and Danny Cadamarteri.
Twenty-one years later, his unquenchable hunger, commitment and loyalty remains - despite memories of that 2022 attack.
Blades captain Sharp, who could not play against Forest - one of his former clubs -because of injury, was making sure his team-mates made it safely off the pitch after hundreds of jubilant home fans spilled on to the playing surface at full-time.
"I had a damaged lip [from being headbutted] but I was more hurt by the fact we'd lost a play-off semi-final," he says of the attack.
"Should players get headbutted on the side of the pitch? No. Should the security and safety of the players have been better that night? Yes.
"But it didn't stop me from wanting to carry on playing. Playing football at places like the City Ground and Wembley are a big factor why I want to keep on playing.
"It didn't cross my mind that maybe I should retire."
A Forest season-ticket holder later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was jailed for 24 weeks.
Soon after the attack, Forest fan Zoe Potts started an online fundraiser which raised £16,000 for Sharp's nominated charity Martin House Hospice - who provide care for children with life-limiting illnesses.
'I love you, son'
With Doncaster third in League Two, Sharp is on target for a sixth promotion of his career. As well as three with Sheffield United (2016-17, 2018-19 and 2022-23), he has also celebrated going up with Scunthorpe United (2006-07) and Southampton (2011-12).
Despite success on the pitch, Sharp has endured personal tragedy off it.
In 2011, he showed incredible courage to play and score for Doncaster against Middlesbrough three days after the death of his newborn son.
"My goal tonight was the most important of my career dedicated to my brave boy Luey Jacob Sharp. I love you, son," he wrote on social media after the game.
More recently close friend and former Sheffield United team-mate George Baldock died at the age of 31. The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens, in October 2024.
"George's passing affects me day to day," says Sharp, who attended Baldock's funeral and played alongside him at Wembley when Sheffield United lost 3-0 to Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final in April 2023.
"He was not only a team-mate but also a very good friend. I went on many holidays with him and made family memories with my kids, my wife and his partner."
'I want to be a manager'
Sharp turned 39 on the same day Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 40th birthday. And just like Ronaldo, he wants to carry on playing.
"I'm still trying to convince myself I'm 29 - not 39," he laughs.
His birthday presents included a new dart board.
"A lot of people are into it right now thanks to Luke Littler but I've always been into my darts. Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld were the ones when I was growing up."
Sharp will be hoping to hit bullseye in Monday's tie against Crystal Palace.
Although he grew up a Sheffield United fan, Sharp says current club Doncaster have a special place in his heart.
He was with them when Luey passed away 14 years ago.
"They helped me through some incredibly tough times personally," he adds.
Sharp's contract expires in the summer. Will he still be playing in the Football League next season?
"The drive is still there, the hunger is still there. I'm going to try and keep playing and my aim is to get 300 career goals.
"If I can't do that this season, I want to make sure I reach that target next season."
And what will life look like when he does eventually retire from playing?
"I'd like to be a manager. I've got my Uefa A and I've done my Uefa B coaching badges."
For now, Sharp will have to content himself coaching young sons Leo and Milo, who - like their dad - are football-mad.
