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Ben Thatcher
British footballer (born 1975)

Benjamin David Thatcher (born 30 November 1975) is a former professional footballer who played as a left-back.

He played for a number of English clubs, and has featured in more than 300 English league games, all of which were in the top two leagues in the country, notably spending time in the Premier League with Wimbledon, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Manchester City. He also played for Millwall, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town. He represented England's under-21 national team on four occasions, but chose to represent the senior Wales national team, for whom he earned seven caps.

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Club career

Thatcher was born in Swindon, Wiltshire. As a youth, he played Sunday League football for various amateur teams in London, before attending the Football Association (FA)'s School of Excellence at Lilleshall.1

Millwall

Upon graduation, he signed his first professional contract with Millwall, making his debut in the 1993–94 season at the age of 18. The following season, he established himself in the Millwall first team, and scored his first goal as a professional. He made more than 100 appearances for Millwall, and won their Player of the Year award for the 1995–96 season.2

Wimbledon

In the 1996 close season, he was transferred to Wimbledon F.C. for a fee of more than £1.8million - making him Wimbledon's first million-pound signing and doubling the club's previous record fee which had been paid for Efan Ekoku three years earlier.3

In his first season at Wimbledon, Thatcher made only nine appearances, but played more regularly in subsequent seasons. He was banned for two matches in January 2000 for elbowing Nicky Summerbee of Sunderland to the head in the build-up to a goal;4 the incident was missed by the referee but action was taken by the governing body following a video review.5 After Wimbledon's relegation from the Premiership at the end of the 1999–2000 season, Thatcher moved to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur

Thatcher cost Tottenham Hotspur a fee of around £5 million in the Summer of 2000. A few months after the transfer, Spurs manager George Graham was sacked, and Thatcher featured less frequently under successor Glenn Hoddle, though he was a member of the Spurs team for the 2002 League Cup final.

Leicester City

Thatcher subsequently moved to Leicester City in a £300,000 transfer deal in the summer 2003,6 immediately proceeding to attack Glenn Hoddle's style of management.7

After a single season at Leicester, Thatcher once again found himself in the arms of a relegated club, and moved to Manchester City. He scored once in the league for Leicester, in a 4–4 draw with his former club Spurs.8

Manchester City

His move to Manchester City cost around £100,000. His Manchester City debut came on the opening day of the 2004–05 season against Fulham. He was initially the first choice left-back at Manchester City, but a combination of injuries and the emergence of Stephen Jordan limited him to 21 appearances in his first season for the club. In January 2005 Thatcher nearly joined Fulham for a fee of £500,000 after a series of burglaries unsettled his family, but the move fell through.910 His second Manchester City season followed a similar pattern to the first, with most of his 19 starts coming in the first half of the season.

Thatcher gained notoriety on 23 August 2006, in a game between Manchester City and Portsmouth. Whilst challenging with Pedro Mendes for a loose ball Thatcher viciously and led with his elbow, knocking Mendes into the advertising hoardings rendering him unconscious. Mendes required oxygen at pitchside and suffered a seizure while being transferred to hospital, where he spent the night. Mendes was discharged from hospital the next day, but remained under medical supervision.11 Thatcher was not sent off by referee Dermot Gallagher but given just a yellow card, but he was investigated by the FA as a result of the challenge. He was disciplined and his barrister, Rupert Bowers KC, read a written apology following the hearing.12 Greater Manchester Police noted receipt of many "statements of complaint" and also chose to investigate the matter.13 On 30 August, Manchester City announced that Thatcher would be banned for six matches, two of which would be suspended, and fined six weeks' wages for the challenge.14 This punishment is separate from the sanctions made by the FA, who suspended Thatcher for eight matches, with a further fifteen game suspended ban for two years.15 Mendes shook hands with Thatcher pre-match when they next faced one another in January 2007,1617 despite claiming beforehand that he would not do so.18

Thatcher also faced possible action from Lancashire Police over a clash with ex-Blackburn Rovers player Ralph Welch during a reserve game at Ewood Park in February 2006.19

Charlton Athletic

He signed for Charlton Athletic on 11 January 2007 for a reported fee of £500,000, which could rise to £750,000 depending on appearances.20 He played his first match for Charlton Athletic on 23 January 2007 against Middlesbrough; 21 the team were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.

Ipswich Town

Thatcher joined Ipswich Town on 14 August 2008 on a one-year contract with an option to extend it for a further year.22 His contract was terminated by Roy Keane on 26 February 2010,23 due to his refusal to move closer to the club.

International career

During his time at Wimbledon, Thatcher played for the England under-21 team four times.24 However, in 2004 he opted to play for Wales, for whom he qualifies due to his Welsh grandmother.25 His debut international performance came against Hungary, in a 2–1 victory in March 2004, and by October 2004 he had earned seven caps for Wales.

In October 2004, John Toshack was appointed new Welsh national team coach, but Thatcher did not play any games under Toshack, due to suspensions and injuries. Thatcher did not play Wales' 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against England and Poland in early September 2005 on grounds of injury, while playing full-time three days later when Manchester City met cross-city rivals Manchester United. This angered Toshack, and Thatcher was categorically left out of the Welsh national team in September 2005.26

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoals
Millwall1993–94First Division8010001270100
1994–95First Division4014040—481
1995–96First Division4202020—460
Total9017060101041
Wimbledon1996–9728Premier League900000—90
1997–9829Premier League2603030—320
1998–9930Premier League3102070—400
1999–200031Premier League2000020—220
Total86050120001030
Tottenham Hotspur2000–0132Premier League1200030—150
2001–0233Premier League1202030—170
2002–0334Premier League1201010—140
Total360307000460
Leicester City2003–0435Premier League2910000—291
Manchester City2004–0536Premier League1801020—210
2005–0637Premier League1800010—190
2006–0738Premier League1100000—110
Total470103000510
Charlton Athletic2006–0739Premier League1100000—110
2007–0840Championship1100000—110
Total220000000220
Ipswich Town2008–0941Championship2001020—230
2009–1042Championship000000—00
Total200102000230
Career total3302170300103782

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year43
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales200470
Total70

Honours

Tottenham Hotspur

Individual

References

  1. "Profile:Ben Thatcher". Match programme, Manchester City v Birmingham City. Manchester City FC. 17 December 2005. p. 29. ↩

  2. "Ben Thatcher". The Millwall History Files. Retrieved 3 October 2006. http://www.millwall-history.co.uk/BenThatcher.htm ↩

  3. Football: £2.6m Bowyer signs for Leeds https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-pounds-26m-bowyer-signs-for-leeds-1327284.html ↩

  4. "Ben Thatcher of Wimbledon Nicky Summerbee of Sunderland". Allsport / Getty Images. 3 January 2000. Retrieved 11 September 2018. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/ben-thatcher-of-wimbledon-elbows-nicky-summerbee-of-news-photo/1207440#jan-2000-ben-thatcher-of-wimbledon-elbows-nicky-summerbee-of-during-picture-id1207440 ↩

  5. "Thatcher banned for two matches". The Guardian. 12 January 2000. Retrieved 11 September 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jan/12/newsstory.sport5 ↩

  6. "Player Profile : Ben Thatcher". 4thegame. Fast Web Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005. Retrieved 1 September 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20050404010926/http://www.4thegame.com/club/manchester-city-fc/player-profile/1028/benthatcher.html ↩

  7. "Thatcher snipes at Hoddle". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 July 2003. Retrieved 1 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/3085895.stm ↩

  8. "Tottenham 4-4 Leicester". BBC. 22 February 2004. Retrieved 4 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3496755.stm ↩

  9. "Player Profile : Ben Thatcher". 4thegame. Fast Web Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005. Retrieved 1 September 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20050404010926/http://www.4thegame.com/club/manchester-city-fc/player-profile/1028/benthatcher.html ↩

  10. "Thatcher not joining". Fulham Official Website. 25 January 2005. Retrieved 11 April 2014. http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2005/january/25/thatcher-not-joining ↩

  11. James Ducker (24 August 2006). "Thatcher could face police investigation". Times Online. London: Times Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2006. https://archive.today/20110604105521/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,6751-2326867,00.html ↩

  12. "Thatcher receives eight-match ban". CNN. 12 September 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2018. http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/09/12/england.thatcher/index.html ↩

  13. "Police, FA investigate Thatcher 'tackle'". Setanta Sports. Setanta. 24 August 2006. Archived from the original on 8 September 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060908042921/http://www.setanta.com/portal/article/football%3A%3Aengland?open&articleid=3851efc889b34dc9802571d40040b7e9 ↩

  14. "Man City hand Thatcher ban & fine". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 August 2006. Archived from the original on 2 September 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5300184.stm ↩

  15. "Thatcher banned for eight matches". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 September 2006. Retrieved 12 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5339964.stm ↩

  16. "Charlton shock Portsmouth with late winner". Irish Examiner. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2018. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30294314.html ↩

  17. "Soccer - FA Barclays Premiership - Portsmouth v Charlton Athletic - Fratton Park". EMPICS / Getty Images. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2018. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/portsmouths-miguel-pedro-mendes-and-charltons-ben-thatcher-news-photo/662198154#portsmouths-miguel-pedro-mendes-and-charltons-ben-thatcher-shake-picture-id662198154 ↩

  18. "Thatcher? He doesn't exist, says Mendes". Evening Standard. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2018. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/thatcher-he-doesnt-exist-says-mendes-7255795.html ↩

  19. "Thatcher faces second elbow probe". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 September 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5323024.stm ↩

  20. "Thatcher completes Charlton move". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 January 2007. Archived from the original on 13 January 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/6251225.stm ↩

  21. "Tactical Formation". Football-Lineups.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2007. http://www.football-lineups.com/wiki/_match3154.php ↩

  22. "Thatcher deal finally done". Green 'Un. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 16 March 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090316153652/http://www.greenun24.co.uk/content/greenun/sport/football/championship/ipswich-town/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=IpswichTownFC&tBrand=GreenUnOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=IPED14%20Aug%202008%2011%3A44%3A23%3A390 ↩

  23. "Thatcher leaves Town". Ipswich Town F.C. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100301075940/http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10272~1978647%2C00.html ↩

  24. "Ben Thatcher". ESPN Soccernet. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20090318072200/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=8150& ↩

  25. "Margetson earns Wales call". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 March 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/wales/3519734.stm ↩

  26. "Toshack slates Thatcher's desire". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 September 2005. Retrieved 23 September 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4295500.stm ↩

  27. Appearance in Anglo-Italian Cup /wiki/Anglo-Italian_Cup ↩

  28. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=126 ↩

  29. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=127 ↩

  30. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=128 ↩

  31. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=129 ↩

  32. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=130 ↩

  33. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=131 ↩

  34. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=132 ↩

  35. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=133 ↩

  36. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=134 ↩

  37. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=135 ↩

  38. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=136 ↩

  39. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=136 ↩

  40. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=137 ↩

  41. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=138 ↩

  42. "Games played by Ben Thatcher in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2020. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7860&season_id=139 ↩

  43. Ben Thatcher at National-Football-Teams.com https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/7274.html ↩

  44. "Cole strike stuns Spurs". BBC Sport. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 27 March 2024. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1834988.stm ↩

  45. Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 150. ↩

  46. "Ben Thatcher - Millwall History". Retrieved 11 June 2020. http://www.millwall-history.org.uk/BenThatcher.htm ↩