13 Facts About Ben Thornley

Benjamin Lindsay Thornley was born on 21 April 1975 and is an English former professional footballer and sports commentator.

Ben Thornley played in the Football League for Stockport County, Huddersfield Town, Blackpool and Bury, and in the Scottish Premier League for Aberdeen.

Ben Thornley finished his playing days in non-league football with Halifax Town, Bacup Borough, Salford City, Wilmslow Albion and Witton Albion.

Ben Thornley was capped three times by the England U21 team.

Ben Thornley was born at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Ben Thornley 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 but was occasionally used as a striker.

Ben Thornley was rated by contemporaries including David Beckham, as well as club legend and former youth coach Nobby Stiles, as one of the finest young players at the club during that era.

In 1997, Ben Thornley sued Marker and Blackburn Rovers for millions 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.

Ben Thornley scored in the Scottish Cup against St Johnstone, and in the Scottish League Cup against Queen of the South.

Ben Thornley signed for Bury in September 2003, but was released less than two months later after making just five appearances.

Ben Thornley then joined Halifax Town on non-contract terms in March 2004, ending his professional career just before his 29th birthday to play in the Conference.

Ben Thornley then joined the non-League scene with Bacup Borough where he was joined by former Manchester United teammate David May Ben Thornley joined Salford City at the beginning of 2006.

Alongside his younger brother, Rod, a striker, Ben Thornley played for Witton Albion in the Northern Premier League between 2008 and 2010.