Introducing the Joe Thompson Award

Introducing the Joe Thompson Award

Manchester United is proud to announce the launch of a new award in memory of Joe Thompson, our former youth-team player who passed away in April aged 36.

Henceforth, the Joe Thompson Award will be presented each season to a player or staff member from our Academy’s Under-18s or Under-21s sides.

It will be given to somebody who represents the values of a Manchester United person, like Joe did, displaying characteristics like resilience, honesty, integrity, humility, innovation and a relentless work ethic, with a focus on the community.

This new award will act as a lasting tribute to Joe, whose story of courage, perseverance and positivity touched the hearts of fans all around the world.

Our first winner of the Joe Thompson Award will be announced next week.

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JOE THOMPSON (1989-2025)

Joe joined our Academy in 1998 and played alongside future graduates like James Chester, Danny Drinkwater and Tom Cleverley. He left at the age of 16 and enjoyed six years at local side Rochdale, before completing a transfer to Tranmere Rovers.

It was during his time on Merseyside that Thompson received his diagnosis of a rare form of cancer called nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma. After treatment, he heroically returned to football with Bury, Carlisle and, once again, Rochdale.

Three years after his first diagnosis, Thompson was diagnosed for a second time and required life-threatening stem cell treatment. Remarkably, he returned to professional football again to defy all expectations and cement a place in history.

Joe featured in Dale’s famous FA Cup draw with Tottenham Hotspur and played a crucial role in their fight to avoid relegation. In the season’s final game, he scored the winning goal against Charlton Athletic that kept Rochdale in League One.

Joe retired in 2019 and built a successful career in motivational speaking.

He also spearheaded the launch of our Academy Alumni programme — named ‘United Once, United Forever’ — which was an industry-leading formalisation of aftercare for former Academy players.

The following year, Joe was diagnosed with cancer for a third time. On the day he announced the news, he was at Old Trafford for the official launch of the Alumni programme, in an act of courage that underlined his character.

Joe’s passing was announced on 18 April and his loss has been sorely felt across the club, and indeed the wider football community.

With the Joe Thompson Award, we intend to keep his legacy alive.

Our 2024/25 award winners:

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