 He was however released by City without playing a first team game and for a while dropped down into non-league football with Enderby Town (later Leicester United).It was while playing for Enderby that Sheffield United spotted him and after an initial trial period the 20-year-old Atkins signed a permanent deal with The Blades.In two and a half years at Bramall Lane Bob played 40 league games for United scoring 3 goals but midway through the 1984–85 season he was offered along with Gary Brazil the chance to go on loan to Preston North End with the possibility of making the move permanent.