Archived News from May 2013
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JOHN THOMPSON RETIRES
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Observer article, 5 May 2013
(thanks to Paul Hutchinson for the scan) ---------------- Thompson announces retirement mansfieldtown.net 30th April 2013 We are sad to confirm that John Thompson has today announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/thompson-announces-retirement-799812.aspx?#AvhqR2uuPFvpRX6e.99 The defender has not been able to fully recover from a horrific injury during a pre-season friendly for us in 2011. Prior to joining us, Thompson enjoyed three successful years at Notts County in which he made over 100 appearances for the Magpies and collected a League Two winner’s medal. During his long stint with Nottingham Forest, which spanned from 2001 until 2007, Dublin-born Thompson made 129 league appearances and won full international honours for the Republic of Ireland. His other former clubs include Tranmere Rovers and Oldham Athletic. “I have desperately tried to get back playing to my full potential for almost two years now,” said Thompson. “It has been a hugely frustrating time but I have now reached a point where I can’t continue. “I have been fortunate enough to have had a great career and played for some good clubs but after seeking medical advice and speaking to my family and friends I feel it is the right decision.” Speaking about the incident, Thompson stated: “It was something that should never have happened on a football pitch. I had almost 60 stitches in my face, broke my nose, damaged my shoulder, and dislocated my finger. I needed to have a major operation on my nose so I could breathe through it again and I could only eat through a straw for nearly a month. “When I eventually got back playing after overcoming most of the physical issues, I soon realised I was doing things which I wouldn’t normally do on the pitch. Panic attacks were common and I would not be able to sleep before games. My confidence on and off the pitch had been severely knocked. “I have done everything I can, even seeing a psychologist at my own expense. My recovery is still ongoing. “The last two years have been the hardest of my life. “In my time at Mansfield, I have only been able to show glimpses of what I can do and was unable to play to the same standard as I did previously in my career. “It was nice to finish my career by being a part of a Mansfield Town squad which has won the league and more importantly promotion back to the Football League, where the club deserves to be. “I would like to thank everybody at Mansfield Town, the chairman, manager and particularly the fans who supported me patiently as I tried to get back playing. “Living in Nottingham for so long I am particularly proud to have played for all three Nottinghamshire clubs, Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Mansfield Town and wish all these clubs future success.” We would like to wish John every success in his future career and thank him for his efforts whilst with us ---------------------- Cox pays tribute to Thommo mansfieldtown.net 30th April 2013 Manager Paul Cox has paid tribute to defender John Thompson following the news that the Irishman is set to retire from professional football. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-pays-tribute-to-thommo-800284.aspx?#LgEujR9kjPTh3MZm.99 Thompson, 31, made 15 league appearances in two injury-hit years at One Call Stadium, having sustained a horrific facial injury in a pre-season clash at Ilkeston in August 2011. Our boss said: “I’ve spoken to John a number of times, especially over the last few weeks, and he felt it was time to call a halt to everything. “He’s a great lad, excellent player, and to see this happen is awful. I think what happened [at Ilkeston] was an absolute disgrace and should never happen in or around football. Cox continued: “He’s been a great servant at every club he’s played for and when he made the announcement to me, he looked as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “I think he’s going into physiotherapy now and we wish him all the best of luck. I’ve always said to him that I’ll always be here for him, if I can help him in any way.” Meanwhile, the manager has also confirmed that talisman Matt Green was absent from last Sunday’s ‘Open-Top’ Bus Tour, due to personal circumstances. “It was just a mix up and ‘Greeny’ had to shoot straight off back to his home,” stated our boss. “I’ve heard all the rumours, but he wasn’t on the next bus to another club or being unprofessional. It was just a mix up and a lot of people may have noticed he was actually at the ground." He added: “I’ve had good talks with Matt and I feel comfortable with him. I’d love the lad to stay here and talks were good initially.” ----------------------------- Panic attacks, sleep loss and psychological scarring force former Ireland defender Thompson to retire two years after sustaining horror injury By RIK SHARMA 1 May 2013 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2317581/Mansfield-defender-John-Thompson-retires-mental-scars-years-injured-Gary-Ricketts.html#ixzz2SA1NILQi Mansfield Town defender John Thompson has been forced to retire from football because of psychological scarring thanks to an injury sustained two years ago. The former Republic of Ireland centre half was left with a broken nose and almost 60 stitches after a clash with Ilkeston striker Gary Ricketts in a pre-season friendly in August 2011. The game was called off by Mansfield manager Paul Cox with 17 minutes still to play - astonishingly Thompson was the THIRD Stags player in the game who needed hospital treatment after challenges by Ricketts. Thompson has featured just 11 times this season and has not played since January, describing the two years after the incident as the hardest of his life. 'It was something that should never have happened on a football pitch. I had almost 60 stitches in my face, broke my nose, damaged my shoulder and dislocated my finger,' he told the BBC. 'I needed to have a major operation on my nose so I could breathe through it again and I could only eat through a straw for nearly a month. 'When I eventually got back playing after overcoming most of the physical issues, I soon realised I was doing things which I wouldn't normally do on the pitch. Panic attacks were common and I would not be able to sleep before games. My confidence on and off the pitch had been severely knocked. 'I have done everything I can, even seeing a psychologist at my own expense. My recovery is still ongoing. The last two years have been the hardest of my life.' Mansfield said: 'We would like to wish John every success in his future career and thank him for his efforts whilst with us.' Thompson, who started his career with Nottingham Forest, played three times for Ireland and made his international bow in 2003 against Canada. He went on to play for Tranmere, Oldham and Notts County, before joining Mansfield in 2011. Thompson continued: 'I have been fortunate enough to have had a great career and played for some good clubs. 'But after seeking medical advice and speaking to my family and friends I feel it is the right decision. 'It was nice to finish my career by being a part of a Mansfield Town squad which has won the league and more importantly promotion back to the Football League, where the club deserves to be. 'I would like to thank everybody at Mansfield Town - the chairman, manager and particularly the fans who supported me patiently as I tried to get back playing. --------------------------- |
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