Former Manchester United winger Ben signed before Easter Monday’s home reverse against Fleetwood Town.
He is available to play against Lincoln United this weekend.
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“I just wanted a bit of extra cover for the remaining games,” said Albion boss Jim Vince.
“Ben will need to do a bit of work to get fully match fit but he’s there if we need to call on him.”
Thornley, 32, was most recently at Vodkat North West Counties League Division One outfit Salford City. Before that he spent a season with Bacup Borough in the same division.
He began his career at Manchester United in the early 1990s, making nine league appearances before going on to play more than 100 matches for Huddersfield Town.
His younger brother Rod has been a revelation since switching to Wincham Park from Blue Square Premier club Altrincham.
And is currently playing in the East Cheshire Sunday league for Wilmslow Albion and has been fortunate enough to play against myself and Greenie 3 times this season ands is quite a character!
Potentially a very good signing. One thing that can’t be questioned is his quality, lets just hope he can get himself fit and has the desire to do well for the club.
To put it into perspective I’m 37 smoke (heavily) and easily kept up with him, thats a lot of getting fit, does have it in his head and no doubting his previous abilities, a useful addition to training.
Just because he played in the league means nothing… lets take Dean Crowe as an example.
A lot of similarities in their decline and their attitude. I’ve had the misfortune to share a football pitch with Ben Thornley for 270 minutes this season, but I wasn’t as unfortunate as his own team-mates who were on the end of a constant barrage of abuse every time they misplaced a pass or didn’t do as he told them. He has the wrong attitude for our club. Imagine the exact opposite of the ever cheerful Rod and you get the picture.
Is he the kind of player we need? Not really. He certainly isn’t and will never be quick enough to play on the wing, and he’s not going to get in our midfield ahead of Macca, Brown and Lloyd.
The biggest irony is, his former youth team, team mate is due to make his 100th appearance for England he signs for Witton and has played 3 competetive matches against 2 of the supporters. I even forgot the pre season friendly when the Wilmslow manager said and I quote " Thornley is class" to which I replied “Which one was he?”
[quote]And in all honesty we’d have been much better off signing Grazzer[/quote] I am hopefully taking this as a complement B) UP The ALBS. . . . .both of them:laugh:
Having watched Ben play at Utd, Huddersfield and Blackpool there is no question he has the skill, the question is if he has the application. If he wants to play badly enough and gets himself fit then he ‘could’ be a useful addition, my only concern is his commitment. ‘Could’ have been a very good player throughout his career! Deserves a chance but has something to prove to the fans, and possibly himself!!! I would argue if he had half of Rod’s desire and approach then he would have enjoyed a better career to date.
Yeah, he must consider himself a complete failure to have had such an appalling career. What were those tin-pot clubs he played for again? United who??
I think everyone is getting way ahead of themselves!! He’s signed as ‘cover’. Chances are that we’ll never see him in a Witton shirt, but if we do then that means he will have done enough to displace some of our established players - and that can only be a welcome bonus at this stage of the season. Let’s encourage new players rather than criticise!!
Let’s show some appreciation here. He has only signed as cover…most probably on a pay as you go contract, or even on a non-contract. If he is prepared to come training twice a week to get back to half the player he was, and then most probably not even get a game, [color=#FF0000]then we should show some gratitude[/color].
If he’s seen some of the posts already on the subject, I bet he’s already regretting his offer to sign as cover.
See you tonight for Nuts. Hopefully, there will be tickets on sale for the 4th April
Totally agree Thatched Tavern - having seen Ben play for Manchester United and him being described by former Utd youth coach Eric Harrison as " another Ryan Giggs " and being highly thought by Sir Alex Ferguson only to be injured by a horrible tackle by Blackburns Nicky Marker which resulted in a damaged cruciate . At that time cruciate injuries were not treated as well as today so Ben was never the same player again despite going on to play for several other clubs.
If he can help us in any way then he should be welcomed and not prejudged before he has even kicked a ball.
