Dan Poole - Ben Thornley: Tackled: The Class of 92 Star Who Never Got to Graduate

First published by Pitch Publishing, 2018

Pitch Publishing

A2 Yeoman Gate

Yeoman Way

Durrington

BN13 3QZ

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk

Ben Thornley & Dan Poole, 2018

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A CIP catalogue record is available for this book from the British Library

Print ISBN 978-1-78531-447-6

eBook ISBN978-1-78531-481-0

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To my family, who have supported me from day one. I could not have achieved the highs and survived the lows if it wasnt for the continued love and support you showed me and still do! And to Lesley, my better half, who is so supportive and tolerant. I appreciate, wholeheartedly, the sacrifices you have all made in order that I could pursue my dream of becoming a footballer, not to mention my life thereafter.

And a special mention for Sir Alex Ferguson, an incredible man who had a huge influence on my football career and showed me the value of desire and determination, whatever youre doing in life. Thank you, boss.

Everyone who has contributed to the book

Michael Appleton

Manchester United team-mate, 199297

David Beckham

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Clayton Blackmore

Manchester United team-mate, 199394

Dave Bushell

England Schoolboys manager, 1990

Cliff Butler

Manchester United statistician, 199198

Nicky Butt

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Chris Casper

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

John Chappell

Salford Boys under-11s coach, 198485

Jimmy Curran

Manchester United masseur, 199198

Paul Devine

Salford Boys team-mate, 198485, 198890

Dion Dublin

Manchester United team-mate, 199394

David Fevre

Manchester United physio, 199498

Ryan Giggs

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Keith Gillespie

Manchester United team-mate, 199195

Harry Hackett

Salford Boys under-14s coach, 198889

Denis Irwin

Manchester United team-mate, 199498

Andrei Kanchelskis

Manchester United team-mate, 199495

Steve Kelly

Salford Boys under-15s coach, 198990

Jeff Kerfoot

School friend

Joe Lydiate

Salford Boys team-mate, 198890

Brian McClair

Manchester United team-mate, 199398

Jim McGregor

Manchester United physio, 199194

Colin McKee

Manchester United team-mate, 199194

Paul Moseley

Salford Boys under-14s coach, 198889

Gary Neville

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Phil Neville

Manchester United team-mate, 199298

Jonathan Noble

Knee surgeon

Geoff Ogden

Primary school PE teacher, 198688

John OKane

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Paul Parker

Manchester United team-mate, 199496

Mike Phelan

Manchester United team-mate, 199394

Kevin Pilkington

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Tony Potter

Junior school PE teacher, 198286

Mark Rawlinson

Manchester United team-mate, 199295

Bryan Robson

Manchester United team-mate, 199394

Anthony Rouse

School friend

Jim Ryan

Manchester United reserves manager, 199398

Robbie Savage

Manchester United team-mate, 199194

Paul Scholes

Manchester United team-mate, 199198

Andy Scott

Salford Boys team-mate, 198890

Hannah Scott (ne Thornley)

Sister

Rob Swire

Manchester United physio, 199198

George Switzer

Salford Boys & Manchester United team-mate, 198485, 198890, 199192

Lesley Tanner

Partner

Elizabeth Thornley

Mum

Lucas Thornley

Son

Philip Thornley

Dad

Rod Thornley

Brother

Gary Walsh

Manchester United team-mate, 199395

If I think of my early years, if I think about the Class of 92, I think of Ben. He was one of if not the most talented members of that team. He had everything. And while this may be hard to believe, he was quite good-looking too.

But then one huge, earth-shattering moment completely changed the direction of his life and he never matched the heights of his game pre-injury. I actually consider that one of the great losses of my career because of what I thought of him, the time that we spent together and the great friendship that we have. The low of seeing him get injured and fail to fulfil his potential was devastating; to my mind there is nothing worse in football.

I love Ben to bits. Hes mad as hell, funny as hell, daft as hell, snappy as hell all of those things. But Ive never been able to get angry at him; whatever used to happen, on the pitch or off, I just used to laugh. There are not many people I can say that about because, to be fair, Im a bit of a miserable bastard. As such, to be in the company of someone who constantly made me laugh was a joy.

Ben introduced me to alcohol: we used to drink two-litre bottles of Woodpecker together on a Saturday night after a game. There wasnt anything we didnt know about each other and he had and has a lovely family too. It was a wonderful time in my life and Ben was at the heart of it; the moments we had together were incredibly special. As we grew up, his personal life mirrored his football life: after his injury he was on a downer and floated towards things that he would have never normally done. In fact, he ended up becoming someone who, at times, he himself probably didnt like. But that was purely down to the trauma that he suffered, an experience that I cant even begin to imagine. I lived through it with him but you can never step into someone elses heart, mind and soul.

Ive seen less of him in my later years but whenever we meet up, we go straight back into it like weve never been away. Hes that kind of individual. Hes a fantastic person and Im just delighted that our paths crossed at the age of 13.

Gary Neville

Its very hard not to emphasise the tragedy of what happened to Ben because we felt it we all did. But because everything came to a halt so young, everybody at Manchester United still has this image of what he could have been; hes never had to grow old and show himself to be incapable of fulfilling his potential. In the minds of everybody who saw him play in the Class of 92, hes still at the height of his powers.