Joe Thompson (footballer)

Rochdale

Thompson was born in Rochdale. He made his first team debut for Rochdale in May 2006 against Carlisle United during the 2005–06 season. The 2006–07 season saw him make 13 appearances and win the League Two Apprentice award. After being rewarded the League Two Apprentice award, Manager Keith Hill hope Thompson expectations would happen in a positive note. He signed his first professional contract with Rochdale on 5 July 2007. The 2007–08 season saw Thompson make twelve appearanace and scored his first Rochdale goal on 1 January 2008, in a 3–1 win over Darlington.

The 2008–09 season saw Thompson proved to be Thompson breakthrough season under the management of Keith Hill. Thompson scored his first goal of the season on 25 October 2008, in a 3–1 win over Aldershot Town. In his second game of the season against Aldershot Town on 31 January 2009, Thompson scored a hat-trick on during Rochdale's away against Aldershot Town, in a 4–2 win, followed up scoring in the next game on 3 February 2009, in a 2–0 win over Chester City. Thompson helped the club qualified for the play-offs against Gilligham, but unfortunately lose 2–1 on aggregate. Despite this, Thompson made thirty-three appearance and scoring five times in all competitions. For making a breakthrough season, Thompson signed a new one-year contract with Rochdale in the summer of 2009

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Thompson started the new season with a goal and a man of the match performance against Port Vale. A few weeks later on 29 August 2009, Thompson scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over Bury, followed up scoring in the next game on 5 September 2009, in a 3–3 draw against Morecambe. On 7 November 2009, Thompson also scored a vital late brace against Luton Town in the first round of the FA Cup to take the fixture to a replay. However, in the replay, Luton Town beat Rochdale four days later 2–0, eliminating Rochdale from the FA Cup. Thompson scored a month later on 12 December 2009, in a 3–1 win over Lincoln City after being on a sidelined for weeks with an injury. After another injury that kept him out for weeks, Thompson later added two more goals of the season against Shrewsbury Town and Grimsby Town. Though making thirty-nine appearance and scoring eight time, Thompson's performance helped Rochdale stayed in League Onw, which saw him rewarded with a contract by signing a new-two year deal, which will keep him until 2012. Manchester Evening News described Thompson's season as "most improved member of the squad displayed great maturity in his performances, offering defensive cover and an outlet going forward."

In the 2010–11 season, Thompson started the season well, scoring in the first round of the League Cup, in a 1–0 win against Barnsley. Thompson involved in the squad throughout the season despite his playing time was reduced, mostly on the substitution bench. However, Thompson was left out of the squad for nine matches for unknown until he made his return, where he came on as a substitution in the 85th minutes in a 2–0 loss against Hartlepool United. Thompson later scored two goals against Southampton and Carlisle United. Thompson went on to make thirty-three appearance and scoring three times in all competitions.

In the 2011–12 season, Thompson's playing time was soon reduced with thigh injury at first and unknown reasons, which saw him made twenty appearance and scoring once against Exeter City on 14 April 2012. Thompson started the match when Rochdale lose 2–1 to Chesterfield, resulting Rochdale's relegation.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Thompson was offered a new contract by the club despite playing less in the 2011–12 season. Having yet reached his decision for the two months, Thompson featured in the pre-season friendly match against Blackburn Rovers and scored the only goal in the game. However, Thompson announced his intention to play abroad, but because he's under 24, he cannot leave the club on a free transfer, having been linked with a move to Tranmere Rovers, which has been rejected.

Tranmere Rovers

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

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. Thompson then made his Tranmere Rovers league debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient. However, soon after, Thompson's first team was soon limited after his injuries concerns 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. 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.

Upon recovering from his injury, Thompson re-joined Rochdale on loan until the end of the season. Thompson re-debut on 2 March 2013, in a 3–0 loss against Morecambe. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Bury

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

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

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

On 14 February 2015, he signed for Southport on a one-month loan. Thompson made his Southport debut the same day, in a 1–1 draw against Macclesfield Town. 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.

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

Carlisle United

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. He was released at the end of the season.

Rochdale Return

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

Career statistics

Personal life

On 1 November 2013 it emerged that Thompson had been diagnosed with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of cancer, and that he would immediately begin chemotherapy as treatment for the disease. Mick Horton, chief executive of Tranmere Rovers, said 'Joe will get all the love and support we can give him'. The diagnosis shocked his former teammate Jack Redshaw and his former manager Ronnie Moore and Keith Hill. On 16 June 2014, Thompson announced via his Twitter page he had completed remission and that he "Can't wait to get back out on the Football pitch". He later claimed that tennis player Ross Hutchins, who successfully recovered from cancer, inspired Thompson to fight against cancer.

Thompson has also studied Level Two Coaching Certificate and "achieved his BTEC National Certificate with a potential merit/distinction profile". Thompson attended St Cuthberts High.

Thompson became a father in September 2014 when his partner gave birth to a daughter.

On 16 March 2017, Thompson announced in a statement on the Rochdale website that his cancer had returned.