The inclusion of ‘United’ in the name also distinguished it from the existing and longer-established Sheffield Cricket Club (circa 1751).
In 1854, M. J. Ellison, agent for the Duke of Norfolk, sought to establish a cricket ground in Sheffield.
Sheffield United Cricket Club was a management committee, but did not have a team playing in that name until 1895.
In 1889, the management committee decided to form a football club to replace Sheffield Wednesday, who had departed Bramall Lane in a dispute over gate receipts.
Bearing the same name, Sheffield United FC was formed, not only to keep the cricket players together during the winter close season, but to generate the lost revenue following Wednesday's exit.