These four talented youngsters as they once were held the key to Manchester United’s future successes and silverware as they were dubbed to succeed footballing greats. However, unable to live up to their reputations, moves away from Old Trafford saw the fantastic four head in different directions. But what exactly was in store for Fergie’s fledglings?
Keith Gillespie
Upon flying the nest as a talented teen that broke into the senior squad at only 17-years-of-age, Keith Gillespie joined Newcastle United in the January transfer window of 1995 as part of a switch in which Manchester United received striker Andrew Cole in return for the winger who was valued at £1million, and an added £6million on the side. There was perhaps an element of regret on the Red Devils’ part as Alex Ferguson attempted to bring Gillespie back to Old Trafford although nothing transpired. Remaining in Tyneside for three-and-a-half years, the now-40-year-old fell second best to his former employers in the league rankings two seasons on the trot but was able to hold down a place in the first-team, his deliveries key in the clubs success, as David Beckham took over his role at United. After enjoying both Champions League and UEFA Cup football with the Magpies, the man-in-question departed for Blackburn Rovers who parted with £2.3million to bring him to Ewood Park. He briefly returned to former loan club Wigan Athletic for a short spell but remained in Lancashire for five seasons before hitting the road once more but this time not costing the Foxes a single penny as he joined Micky Adams’ side via a free transfer. Joining Sheffield United in 2005, Gillespie wrote the headlines for mixed reasons. A last gasp 25-yard volley against Charlton to win it for the South Yorkshire side is most likely what the retired footballer would now opt to recall as opposed to his record breaking sending off due to violent conduct against Reading counterpart Steven Hunt. But these were only the beginnings of Keith’s troubles as he declared himself bankrupt only this time last year. Only making three appearances for Bradford City during his spell with the Bantams, the ex-Northern Ireland International also represented Glentoran, Shamrock Rovers, Darlington, and Longford Town on return to his native nation.
Robbie Savage
Failing to make it to the big time at the Theatre of Dreams, Robbie Savage instead saw Crewe to the Second Division play-offs within two terms at the club, despite the Alex being the new boys on the block. In the summer of 1997, the midfielder reached the promised land with a £400,000 transfer to top flight outfit, Leicester City. Here he lived up to his surname by collecting a number of his yellow cards that at one point had him topping the table for the played awarded the most yellow cards. Talented nonetheless, the number eight was Premier League quality and therefore completed a £1.25million move to Birmingham City when the Foxes concluded the campaign in the drop zone. Though this transfer didn’t necessarily worked out as he’d have liked as Savage expressed his wish to move closer to his parents and his homesickness lead him to Ewood Park for £3million. Life in Blackburn started off positively, maintaining his sides top tier status and helping them to the FA Cup Semi-Final but was plagued with injuries as Spurs exacted their revenge (a hatred formed of the League Cup controversy with Justin Edinburgh) on Savage via Robbie Keane. This was the injury that saw him return to a side that he found much more challenging to break into, Steven Reid and David Dunn’s competition provoking him to move on. Additionally, during his time up north, he was told he was not good enough to fit into his national team, Wales. Time for a change, his next destination, Derby County, took him on for £1.5million. Despite being handed the armband (it later came to light that this responsibility had been ‘too much pressure), the Rams’ form had some correlation with their captains as both slipped, the club facing relegation. A missing man, he featured in no pre-season fixtures as rumours circulated. Remaining with the club after a menacing period and having to vacate to Brighton in order to stretch his legs on the pitch, the Welshman remained with Derby and experienced a turnaround when he was awarded the clubs Player of the Year during the 2009/10 campaign. Retiring in 2007 perhaps on what wasn’t the best of notes, 40-year-old Robbie Savage can be seen in the comfort of a studio on a television near you as he is now working in media as a pundit.
Ben Thornley
The height of his career his time in the reserve ranks and academy at Old Trafford, Ben Thornley finally burst from the bubble where he was so highly rated. Knee niggles meant he could not fulfil the destiny gaffer Sir Alex had foretold for him, the wingers signature was secured by Huddersfield Town subsequent to Thornley’s maiden taste of first-team football during a Stockport stint. Amassing 127 appearances for the Terriers, the then-youth worked well under Steve Bruce who he had previously played alongside at United. The club fell narrowly short of a play-off place during his second season in Yorkshire. However, upon Town crashing to Division Two, the Bury-born boy moved to Scotland, joining Aberdeen. Netting on big occasions (well, as big as it gets up there) in both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup to defeat St Johnstone and Queen of the South respectively, from this point on, Thornley found little success wherever else he went. A change of scenery in Blackpool and then Bury saw him sign only short term contracts before trying his hand in non-league, donning the jersey for Halifax Town, Bacup Borough, Salford City, and alongside his younger sibling at Witton Albion. However, the man-in-question did return to his roots, now a sports therapist for the club where he had started out plying his trade.
Terry Cooke
Following a quartet of loan deals away from the club as part of his development, Terry Cooke transferred to our noisy neighbours on a permanent basis after making an impression whilst making 17 appearances for Manchester City and scoring five goals whilst on loan. It was £1million well spent for the Blues who won promotion to Division Two but after earning back-to-back successions, it was a step too far for Cooke who dropped to the bench or worse. Only too familiar with being shipped out temporarily, the midfield man’s next stop was Grimsby Town via Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday. His services lent to the club prior to his release by City, manager Paul Groves initially couldn’t wait to bring the Red Devils’ product on board but a feud eventually coloured the relationship between the two. Not helped by John Oster’s arrival dislodging Cooke, the latter left the club subsequent to relegation from the First Division. Still a pivotal performer, with the Mariners faithful voicing this when he was discarded from the first-team, the Owls returned and had the homegrown talent on their books for the duration of the 2003/04 fall. Emigrating from England, Cooke’s travels saw him a Colorado Rapids played in the States and then to Townsville in Australia where he featured for North Queensland Fury. His football prematurely ended due to a severe knee injury, his called time on his career in Azerbaijan with 12 appearances for Gabala notched under his belt.
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