Sheffield United was formed in 1889 as an offshoot of the Sheffield United Cricket Club. The club's formation was primarily due to the need for a sporting activity that would keep their team players fit during winter when cricket couldn't be played (source).
In its early years, the club struggled to find its footing, but demonstrated resilience and tenacity by embracing these challenges head-on. Notable achievements during this period include winning the FA Cup three times (1899, 1902, and 1915) with their first league title arriving in 1898 (source).