Quick Facts
Biography
Benjamin Lindsay Thornley (born 21 April 1975 in Bury) is an English former footballer who last played for Witton Albion in the Northern Premier League, where he played as a winger.
Playing career
Manchester United
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 injury and competition for places prevented him from making the expected impact at first-team level. The most notable injury came in April 1994, when he suffered knee ligament damage in a reserve game against Blackburn Rovers due to a reckless tackle by opposing 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 (at least for a place on the bench) in case Ryan Giggs was not fully fit.
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.
Huddersfield Town
After a loan spell at Stockport County and two loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Thornley finally left United on a free transfer in May 1998 and went on to play 127 games for Huddersfield Town, scoring eight goals and helping them come close to a Division One playoff place - and the chance of a place in the FA Premier League. 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.
Aberdeen
In August 2001 he signed a two-year deal at Aberdeen, which gave him another crack at top division football - this time north of the border in the Scottish Premier League. In 30 games for Aberdeen, he scored three goals - the opening goal in a 4-2 victory against Motherwell, and both goals in a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock. He also scored in the Scottish Cup against St Johnstone, and in the Scottish League Cup against Queen of the South.
Blackpool
He returned to England and signed for Division Two side Blackpool on an 18-month contract in November 2002, but was released from his contract at the end of the 2002–03 season.
Bury
Thornley signed for Bury in September 2003, but was released less than two months later after making just five appearances.
Halifax Town
Ben 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.
Bacup Borough
He then joined the non-League scene with Bacup Borough where he was joined by former Manchester United team-mate David May.
Salford City
He spent a season with Bacup Borough before joining Salford City at the beginning of 2006.
Witton Albion
Alongside his younger brother, Rod, a striker, Thornley played for Witton Albion in the Northern Premier League between 2008 and 2010. Rod is also employed by Manchester United as a sports therapist.