Ben Thornley
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Lindsay Thornley (born 21 April 1975) in Bury
) is an English
footballer who currently plays for Witton Albion
in the Northern Premier League
.
He is most widely known for his career as a youth and reserve team player at Manchester United
, where he played in the left wing position from 1991 to 1998 (becoming a professional in 1992 after helping United win the FA Youth Cup
) but was occasionally used as a striker.
Thornley made his debut for United on 26 February 1994 as a substitute in the Premier League match against West Ham United
which ended in a 2-2 draw at Boleyn Ground
.
A tricky right-footed left winger who was highly regarded by Alex Ferguson
and at one point was expected to break into the first-team at Old Trafford. Although he did make nine league appearances for United serious injuries prevented him from making the expected impact at first-team level. The most notable injury came the 1993-94
, when he suffered knee ligament damage in a reserve game against Blackburn Rovers
due to a reckless tackle by opponent defender Nicky Marker
; the injury kept him out of action for over a year. This came just before the FA Cup semi-final against Oldham Athletic, for which Alex Ferguson was reportedly considering selecting Thornley in case Ryan Giggs
was not fully fit.http://menmedia.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/62/62198_fledgling_ben_hoping_to_fly_.html
In 1997, Thornley sued Marker and Blackburn Rovers over the tackle, claiming a loss of earnings that resulted from him being kept out of the Manchester United first team because of the injury.
In 1996, he won three caps for England at U-21 level
.
After a loan spell at Stockport County
, Thornley finally left United on a free transfer in May 1998 and went on to play 127 games for Huddersfield Town
, scoring eight goals. From June 1999 until November 2000, he was playing under former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce
, who was Huddersfield's manager. When Bruce was dismissed, his successor was another former Manchester United player - Lou Macari
, who had left United before Thornley joined them.
Thornley's spell at Huddersfield brought mixed fortunes. In his first season they finished 10th in Division One and in his second they finished eighth (being in contention for a playoff place right up to the last game of the season), but in his final campaign they suffered relegation to Division Two.
In August 2001 he signed a two-year deal at Aberdeen
. He joined Blackpool
on an 18-month contract in November 2002, but was released from his contract at the end of the 2002–03 season.
Thornley started 2003–04 at Bury
, but joined Halifax Town
on non-contract terms in March 2004. He then joined the non-League
scene with Bacup Borough
where he was joined by former Manchester United
team-mate David May. He spent a season with Bacup Borough
before joining Salford City
at the beginning of 2006.
Thornley and his younger brother, Rod, currently play for Witton Albion
in the Northern Premier League
. Rod is also employed by Manchester United as a first team masseur.
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who currently plays for Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
in the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
.
He is most widely known for his career as a youth and reserve team player at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, where he played in the left wing position from 1991 to 1998 (becoming a professional in 1992 after helping United win the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
) but was occasionally used as a striker.
Thornley made his debut for United on 26 February 1994 as a substitute in the Premier League match against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
which ended in a 2-2 draw at Boleyn Ground
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
.
A tricky right-footed left winger who was highly regarded by Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
and at one point was expected to break into the first-team at Old Trafford. Although he did make nine league appearances for United serious injuries prevented him from making the expected impact at first-team level. The most notable injury came the 1993-94
1993-94 in English football
The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years...
, when he suffered knee ligament damage in a reserve game against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
due to a reckless tackle by opponent defender Nicky Marker
Nicky Marker
Nicky Marker born 3 May 1965 was a defender who played for Blackburn Rovers during their Premiership winning years at the height of his career. The other clubs he played for included Sheffield United, Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Cheltenham and Tiverton....
; the injury kept him out of action for over a year. This came just before the FA Cup semi-final against Oldham Athletic, for which Alex Ferguson was reportedly considering selecting Thornley in case Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
was not fully fit.http://menmedia.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/62/62198_fledgling_ben_hoping_to_fly_.html
In 1997, Thornley sued Marker and Blackburn Rovers over the tackle, claiming a loss of earnings that resulted from him being kept out of the Manchester United first team because of the injury.
In 1996, he won three caps for England at U-21 level
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
.
After a loan spell at Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, Thornley finally left United on a free transfer in May 1998 and went on to play 127 games for Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, scoring eight goals. From June 1999 until November 2000, he was playing under former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
, who was Huddersfield's manager. When Bruce was dismissed, his successor was another former Manchester United player - Lou Macari
Lou Macari
Luigi "Lou" Macari is a Scottish former footballer and football manager of Italian descent.-Playing career:...
, who had left United before Thornley joined them.
Thornley's spell at Huddersfield brought mixed fortunes. In his first season they finished 10th in Division One and in his second they finished eighth (being in contention for a playoff place right up to the last game of the season), but in his final campaign they suffered relegation to Division Two.
In August 2001 he signed a two-year deal at Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. He joined Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on an 18-month contract in November 2002, but was released from his contract at the end of the 2002–03 season.
Thornley started 2003–04 at Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, but joined Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
on non-contract terms in March 2004. He then joined the non-League
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
scene with Bacup Borough
Bacup Borough F.C.
Bacup Borough F.C. are an English football club based at West View in Bacup, Lancashire. They currently play in the North West Counties League Premier Division and are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association. They play at the The Brian Boys West View Stadium...
where he was joined by former Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
team-mate David May. He spent a season with Bacup Borough
Bacup Borough F.C.
Bacup Borough F.C. are an English football club based at West View in Bacup, Lancashire. They currently play in the North West Counties League Premier Division and are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association. They play at the The Brian Boys West View Stadium...
before joining Salford City
Salford City F.C.
Salford City F.C. are a semi-professional football club based in the Kersal area of Salford, Greater Manchester, England. They are the only semi-professional side in the City of Salford, with Manchester United the closest league club. Salford City currently play in the Northern Premier League...
at the beginning of 2006.
Thornley and his younger brother, Rod, currently play for Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
in the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
. Rod is also employed by Manchester United as a first team masseur.