Joe Thompson (footballer)

A Manchester United youth team player until the age of 16,[6] Thompson then joined Rochdale. He made his first-team debut for the club against Carlisle United in May 2006 during the 2005–06 season.[7] The 2006–07 season saw him make 13 appearances and win the League Two Apprentice award.[8][9] After this achievement, manager Keith Hill hoped Thompson would continue to make progress.[10] Thompson signed his first professional contract with Rochdale on 5 July 2007.[1] The 2007–08 season saw Thompson make twelve appearances and score his first Rochdale goal on 1 January 2008, in a 3–1 win over Darlington.[11]

2008–09 was to prove Thompson's breakthrough season under the management of Keith Hill.[12] Thompson scored his first goal of the season on 25 October 2008 in a 3–1 win over Aldershot Town.[13] In his second game of the season away against Aldershot Town on 31 January 2009, Thompson scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 victory,[14] and he followed this up by scoring in the next game on 3 February 2009 in a 2–0 win over Chester City.[15] Thompson helped his club qualify for the play-offs against Gilligham, but they were to lose 2–1 on aggregate. Thompson had made thirty-three appearances during the season, scoring five times in all competitions, and was rewarded with a new one-year contract in the summer of 2009[16]

At the start of the 2009–10 season Thompson scored a goal and won a man of the match award against Port Vale.[17] A few weeks later, on 29 August 2009, Thompson scored his second goal of the season in a 3–0 win over Bury,[18] and followed up by scoring in the next game on 5 September 2009 in a 3–3 draw against Morecambe.[19] On 7 November 2009, Thompson scored a vital late brace against Luton Town in the first round of the FA Cup to take the fixture to a replay.[20] However, in the replay Luton won 2–0, eliminating Rochdale from the competition. Thompson scored a month later in a 3–1 win over Lincoln City after being sidelined for weeks following an injury.[21][22]

After another injury that kept him out for several more weeks,[23] Thompson scored two goals against Shrewsbury Town[24] and Grimsby Town.[25] Making thirty-nine appearances and scoring eight times, Thompson's performances helped Rochdale stay in League One, and he was rewarded with a new-two year deal.[26] Manchester Evening News described Thompson as the "most improved member of the squad displaying great maturity in his performances, offering defensive cover and an outlet going forward."[27]

In the 2010–11 season, Thompson started well, scoring in the first round of the League Cup in a 1–0 win against Barnsley.[28] Thompson was involved with the squad throughout the season but his playing time was reduced, spending much time on the substitute's bench. He was left out of the squad for nine matches for unknown reasons until making his return as a substitute in the 85th minute of a 2–0 loss against Hartlepool United.[29] Thompson later scored two goals against Southampton[30] and Carlisle United.[31] and went on to make thirty-three appearances, scoring three times in all competitions.

In the 2011–12 season, Thompson's appearances were reduced due to a thigh injury[32] and he was to play twenty times, scoring once against Exeter City on 14 April 2012.[33] Thompson was in the team when Rochdale lost 2–1 to Chesterfield, resulting in Rochdale's relegation.[34]

Shortly after the end of the 2011–12 season, Thompson was offered a new contract by Rochdale.[35] Having yet to reach his decision after two months,[36] Thompson featured in the pre-season friendly match against Blackburn Rovers and scored the only goal of the game.[37] However, Thompson then announced his intention to play abroad, but because he was under 24, he could not leave the club on a free transfer, and was soon linked with a move to Tranmere Rovers.[38]

On 3 August 2012, Thompson signed a two-year deal with League One side Tranmere Rovers after signing for an undisclosed fee from Rochdale[39] and was given a number seven shirt.[40] Upon joining Tranmere Rovers, Thompson explained his move, citing the impact of the maturity he made.[41]

Thompson made his Tranmere Rovers debut in the first round of the League Cup, playing 120 minutes in a 2–1 win over Chesterfield on 14 August 2012.[42] Thompson then made his Tranmere Rovers league debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient.[43] However, soon after, Thompson's first team was soon limited after his injuries concerns [44][45][46] and being on the substitutes bench. Despite this, Thompson scored his first Tranmere Rovers goal on 6 October 2012, in a 1–0 win over Notts County.[47] Thompson scored his second goal of the season, in the first round of the FA Cup, in a 3–0 win over Braintree Town on 13 November 2012.[48]

Upon recovering from his injury, Thompson re-joined Rochdale on loan until the end of the season.[49] Thompson re-debut on 2 March 2013, in a 3–0 loss against Morecambe.[50] Thompson was in the first team regular at Rochdale until he was recalled by his parent club on 4 April 2013, which saw him made seven appearance on his return.[51] After being recalled by Tranmere Rovers, Thompson went on to make thirty-one appearance and scoring twice in all competitions for them.

At the beginning of the 2013–14 season, Thompson started the season well when he scored twice in a 3–3 draw with Crawley Town on 10 August 2013 after being on the bench in the opening game of the season against Walsall.[52] He continued to be in the first team until he was diagnosed with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. As a result, it was announced that Thompson would be out for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.[53] In Tranmere Rovers' match against Preston North End, their first since Thompson's diagnosis, both sets of fans held a minute's applause in the 7th minute.[54] Tranmere were relegated to League Two at the end of the season, and Thompson was not offered a new contract. Thompson was critical of the club for the way they handled the contract negotiations during his absence, and was released by the club.[55]

On 2 August 2014, Thompson announced via his Twitter account that he had signed a one-year contract at Bury.[55] His move came after featured in the pre-season friendly matches when he went on trial.[56] Upon signing, Thompson was described by manager David Flitcroft as an "inspiration", citing his improvement of his mental strength.[57]

Thompson made his Bury debut in the first round of the League Cup, in a 3–2 loss against Bolton Wanderers.[58] However, Thompson spent most of the first half of the season on the bench due to a lack of match fitness.[59]

On 27 November 2014, it was announced that Thompson would be loaned out to Wrexham until 4 January 2015.[60] However, after making just one FA Trophy appearance for Wrexham, Thompson returned to Bury when his loan expired.[61]

On 14 February 2015, he signed for Southport on a one-month loan.[62] Thompson made his Southport debut the same day, in a 1–1 draw against Macclesfield Town.[63] After making four appearance for Southport, Thompson returned to his parent club.

On 21 April 2015, Thompson joined St Johnstone on trial. However, his trial expired after he failed to earn a contract offer from the club.[64]

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Thompson was one of four players released by Bury.[65]

After an unsuccessful trial at St Johnstone, Thompson began training with Carlisle United. On 31 July 2015, Thompson signed a six-month contract with the club.[66] He was released at the end of the season.

On 7 August 2016, Thompson rejoined Rochdale on a six-month deal.[67]

He was offered a new contract by Rochdale at the end of the 2017–18 season.[68]

On 5 February 2019, Thompson announced his retirement from professional football.[69][70] In April 2019 he was awarded the Sir Tom Finney Award.[71]