Former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp revealed he has been offered the chance to return to football, just weeks after announcing his retirement.
Sharp called time on his career after a fourth spell at Doncaster Rovers came to a close when his contract expired at the end of last season.
The 40-year-old netted 14 times in all competitions for the Yorkshire club in 2025/26, with the total leaving him on 299 total goals over the course of a 22-year spell in senior football.
While Sharp has remained in football by signing up for Baller League Season 4, the all-time leading Championship goalscorer could yet return to the pitch.
With the FA Cup first round approaching, Sharp revealed he has received an offer to play for AFC Rushden & Diamonds ahead of their clash with Burton next month.
The eighth-tier side are currently in the midst of a fairytale run in the competition, having defeated Morecambe last week to reach the first round for the first time in their history.
Prior to the phoenix side being founded the original Rushden and Diamonds played for more than a decade in the football league, and a young Sharp earned his first taste of senior football there on loan from Sheffield United in the 2004-05 season.
Speaking on a potential reunion Sharp refused to rule out taking the club up on their offer.
"Yes, Rushden have asked me to play for them in the FA Cup first round. I've still not totally ruled it out," Sharp told the Football League Paper.
"They were the first club I ever scored a goal for. To go back after all those years, and to score my 300th goal for them in the FA Cup — it would be such a great story, wouldn’t it?
"I still remember when United spoke to me about going on loan there. With all due respect, I didn’t know who Rushden & Diamonds were. I didn’t even know where it was in the country.
"Lots of things have changed since then. I wore a massive shirt; I had a terrible haircut. It was League Two, fast and furious, constant balls into the box. A lot less tactical."
"As the years have gone on, football has become a very tactical game. Everyone is trying to cancel each other out instead of just playing rock ‘n’ roll football and having a tear-up.
"But I still love football. I still want to be involved. So let’s see. Right now, I can’t see it happening, but never say never."
