Legends

Cadishead Sports JFC – Legends

Our club has produced many great players since it was formed in 1974. Not a week goes by without a representative of a professional football club getting in touch, seeking permission, to visit Rowson Drive to watch our teams play.

The upshot is that more players than can be remembered have subsequently been signed by clubs that include the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Bolton, Bury, Crewe, Liverpool and Everton, all playing representative football at academy football.

Naturally, we are sad to see anybody leave our club but at the same time, we are nonetheless excited and proud by the prospect that one day, some of our players may go on to play football at the highest level.

Beyond playing academy football, Cadishead Sport JFC has seen 4 players in particular sign professional contracts. These include:-

Ben Thornley

Ben currently plays for Witton Albion in the Northern Premier League but is most widely known for his career as a youth and reserve team player at Manchester United. Ben played left wing from 1991 to 1998 (becoming a professional in 1992 after helping United win the FA Youth Cup).

Ben made his debut for United on 26 February 1994 as a substitute in the Premier League match against West Ham United and was described as a “tricky right-footed left winger”. He was held in high regard by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ben made 9 league appearances for United but serious injuries prevented him from making the expected impact at first-team level. In 1996, he won three caps for England at U-21 level.

Nathan Lowndes

Nathan (Striker) began his career with Leeds United in 1994 but didn't make any first-team appearances. In 1995 he was signed by Watford, a club with whom he spent three years, for a fee of £40,000.

In 1998, he joined Scottish club St. Johnstone, and helped Saints to a third-place finish, which qualified them for the following season's UEFA Cup, an appearance in the League Cup final and the last four of the Scottish Cup. He was the club's top scorer in 1999–2000 with ten goals. In his four years at St Johnstone, Nathan made 63 appearances and scored fourteen goals.

In May 2001, Nathan signed for Livingston and in March 2002 he returned to England with Plymouth Argyle. Nathan then went on to play for Port Vale and Chester when an injury in April 2008 ended his playing career.

Matthew Stephan

Matthew signed professional terms with Bolton Wanders and played under Sam Alladyce.

Ryan Hutchinson

Ryan still holds the club record of most goals scored in one season. Ryan scored a remarkable 97 goals. Beat that if you can...!

Ryan when onto sign professional terms with Manchester United and then went on to play for Stoke City.

Ryan had spells with Altrincham and Leek Town.

Ryan currently plays for Irlam FC.

Club Records

Notable achievements from both managers and players alike include:-

· Most goals scored in one season

Ryan Hutchinson

· County cup winning managers

Ken Pickering, Jim Morse and Dave Mann

· Most successful club managers

Ken Pickering and Jim Morse

· Cadishead managers who have managed the WJFL Inter League side (U14)

Ken Pickering (winners), Dave Mann, Steve Nixon (winners), Adrian Wright, Steve Thompson & Jim Carlin

· Completion of a season without dropping a point

Phil Green and Arthur Jones. They also went on to win the cup that season as well

· Twin titles

Harold Bloor and Ged Hogan achieved promotion from division 2, winning the league, going on to be crowned champions of division 1 the very next season

John Twist