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Flashback to the Battle of Bramall Lane 15 years ago when Sheffield United ended up with just six players against West Brom

Article one of law three in the rules of football states simply: 'A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players.'

It's not something invoked too often in what is an 11-a-side sport but it was invoked precisely 15 years ago in one of the game's strangest abandonments.

The Football League Division One fixture between Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion on March 16, 2002 at Bramall Lane was meant to be pretty run-of-the-mill.

Sheffield United and West Brom players square up during the infamous 'Battle of Bramall Lane' which happened 15 years agou00a0
Sheffield United and West Brom players square up during the infamous 'Battle of Bramall Lane' which happened 15 years ago
Referee Eddie Wolstenholme tries to restore order as United's Keith Curle and West Brom's Scott Dobie square up during a match that was eventually abandonedu00a0
Referee Eddie Wolstenholme tries to restore order as United's Keith Curle and West Brom's Scott Dobie square up during a match that was eventually abandoned
The controversy led to a bitter war of words between Baggies boss Gary Megson (left) and his Sheffield United counterpart Neil Warnock
The controversy led to a bitter war of words between Baggies boss Gary Megson (left) and his Sheffield United counterpart Neil Warnock

The Baggies were in third position but not looking too likely to catch their local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers and snatch the second automatic ticket to the Premier League.