What Happened Next?
No. 3 Manchester United’s Youth Cup Finalists
Following on the great tradition of youthful excellence at Manchester United the squad of 1991/92 faced off against Crystal Palace in the climax to their season. The side from Old Trafford was filled with many players expected to make the step up to the first team and they duly dispatched their London opponents with 3-1 and 3-2 wins to claim the prestigious trophy. But whatever happened to the young players who played in that final...
Kevin Pilkington
Having made some excellent saves to keep Palace at bay in the second leg, Pilkington went onto become understudy to Peter Schmeichel in the first team. Making only a few appearances in a six year period he joined Rochdale and Rotherham on loan before transferring to the SPL with Celtic. Yet to play a game for the Hoops he returned to England to play for Port Vale before joining Wigan Athletic. In 2000, Mansfield made him their number one goalkeeper and in a five year period at the club he went on to play over 150 games for the Stags. In the summer of 2005 he moved to Notts. County of League Two and currently continues to play his football there.
John O’Kane
O’Kane turned professional with United at the age of 18 but played just two competitive five years at the club. After performing well in loan spells at Bury and Bradford City of Division One, Everton decided to sign the defender on a permanent deal in 1997. After an impressive start on Merseyside, injuries hampered his development and he was allowed to leave the club on loan with short spells Burnley and Bolton Wanderers. Just two years after joining the Toffees, he decided to leave, making his move to Bolton a permanent one. O’Kane helped them into the playoffs before yet again suffering with injuries which prevented him from playing regularly during their spell in the Premiership. He was released at the end of his contract in 2003 and joined Blackpool where he stayed two years before moving down to the non league to play for Hyde United where he called time on his playing career in 2005.
George Switzer
Switzer joined the club at eight years old and was an integral part of the clubs successes in the FA Youth Cup. He signed as a professional on a one year deal but was released by Alex Ferguson who believed that he was too small to play full back. In 1993 the defender signed for Darlington but played only 14 games for the club before signing for Hyde United. George played over 200 games for the club in six seasons before decided to move back to his native Ireland. In 2004 he joined Salford City before signing for his hometown club Irlam in 2006. Retiring from football after a season with the club, Switzer now works as an optical technician for Dollond and Aitchison.
Chris Casper
Casper went on to make his debut for the first team against Port Vale in the League Cup a year after successes in the FA Youth Cup. Progressing along very well he served as England youth team captain and was a member of the 1993 European Championship winning side. Despite he recognition at youth international level, Casper made just two league appearances in over five years at Manchester United. Searching for first team football the defender had three spells in the football league attempting before rather unfortunately at the age of 24 being forced to retire after suffering a double leg fracture. While undergoing a period of rehabilitation he spent much time coaching and helped Team Bath into the FA Cup first round.
He was appointed as a coach at Bury mainly working with clubs reserve team. After the first team suffered a poor run of results, he replaced Graham Barrow as manager. As the youngest ever manager in the league Casper helped Bury avoid relegation in his first full season but when the club began to struggle at the start of 2008 he was sacked and is currently seeking a return to coaching or management in the near future.
Gary Neville
After captaining the Youth Cup winning team, Neville went on to have a sustained run in the Manchester United first team. He debuted 1992 and within two years became the regular choice right back as the club built on its youthful foundations. At 33, Neville is still very much a regular and after the departure of Roy Keane became the club captain. He has over amassed over 300 appearances for United to date winning seven league championships, three FA Cups, one Champions League and one League cup with the Red Devils. During his playing career, Gary has also appeared over eighty times for England since his debut 1995 and has played at 3 World Cups and 3 European Championship for his country.
David Beckham
Struggling to break through into the Manchester United team shortly after the youth cup success, Beckham joined Preston North End on loan before in 1996 returning to the club after impressing the clubs coaches. He made his debut in a Premier League match against Leeds and in over 250 appearances for the ‘red devils’ he scored 61 goals won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League before moving to Real Madrid in 2003. In the Spanish capital, Beckham played alongside some of the greatest players in the world but his only honour was a La Liga title in 2007. At the end of the trophy winning campaign Beckham announced he was to join the LA Galaxy in the MLS. Since moving across the Atlantic he has struggled with fitness and has fallen out of favour with the national team but despite his age aims to see out his contract and be part of the England squad for the World Cup in 2010.
Nicky Butt
Butt signed a long term deal with Manchester United in 1993 and despite never featuring for the club as a regular in his eleven years at Old Trafford he claimed six Premiership titles as well as four FA Cup winners medals was part of the team which won the Champions League in 1999. Butt also played an inspirational part in England’s successes at the 2002 World Cup. Having seen several midfield players join the club, Butt decided to go in search of first team action in 2004 joining Newcastle United. Initially Nicky failed to command a first team place and moved on loan to Birmingham in 2005 to add experience in their battle against the drop. When the club was relegated from the Premiership he returned Newcastle citing his need for top flight action and immediately sought about regaining his place. Under Sam Allardyce, Butt was named as the club’s captain and in 2008 helped the club successfully battle relegation.
Simon Davies
Davies signed professional forms at Old Trafford the year after playing in the youth cup final but was almost immediately loaned out to Exeter City. Returning to Old Trafford, Simon played several games for the team but in 1996 he was loaned to Huddersfield. Manchester United decided not to renew his contract the year later and he moved to Luton Town on a free transfer. After one season with the Hatters, he returned to the North West to play for Macclesfield Town before moving to nearby Rochdale in 2001. The Welshman decided to end his spell in England and at the end of his second season with ‘dale, the midfielder he played for TNS sandwiched between two spells at Bangor City. In 2007 he called time on his playing career and moved into coaching at Chester City.
Colin Mckee
After successes with the youth team McKee was sent on loan to Bury. Appearing only twice for the second division side and playing only once for the Red Devils upon returning to his parent club, he moved to Scotland, signing for Kilmarnock in 1994. McKee played over 75 games in the SPL scoring 12 goals before being released in October 1997. In search of regular playing time in Scotland he had trials with Partick Thistle, Falkirk and before signing for Stirling Albion in 1999. Despite his efforts he was still not able hold down a place in the team and decided to Vikingur of Norway before finishing off his career with non league Fauldhouse United in 2004.
Robbie Savage
Despite signing on professionally on at Old Trafford in 1993, Savage was released by the club without playing single game for the first team. After one year at the United he joined Crewe Alexandra before earning a move to Leicester City in 1997. With the Foxes he was a member of the League Cup winning team and helped the club sustain top half finishes in the following seasons. In 2002 Savage decided to move on when the club was relegated from the Premiership and joined Birmingham City who swapped were looking to establish themselves as a top flight team. After three years with the club, the midfielder made a move to Blackburn Rovers. Following a broken leg in 2006, Savage became more frequently used as a bit part player and in search of first team action in his final few years, Robbie moved to Derby to add to experience to their struggling squad.
Ben Thornley
Midfield starlet Ben Thornley started the youth cup game ahead of Ryan Giggs in the left wing position and went on to sign professionally for the club the year later. Though the club had high hopes of his ability, Thornley started just two games in his first two years and in a bid to gain first team football had a spell at Stockport County before a two year loan move at Huddersfield Town. With Manchester United undecided on whether they would offer the player a new contract or not, Thornley chose to make his move to Huddersfield a permanent one. In four years with Town, he started over 100 games before moving to Scotland in 2001, signing for Aberdeen. After only one year in the SPL, he returned to England signing for Blackpool before transferring to Bury on a short term basis. In 2004, Halifax Town became his final professional club before he decided to join the non league side Bacup Borough. Thornley currently plays his football for Wilmslow Albion of the East Cheshire Sunday Football Division.
Ryan Giggs
Stepping up to the professional level despite starting both games on the bench for his side in the youth cup, Giggs has gone on to become one of the greatest successes to come through the clubs academy. The Welshman made his debut in 1992 and was part of the team that won the very first Premier league title. He has since gone on to claim eight more league titles, four FA Cups, two league cups and a champions league in his time at Old Trafford. In 2005 Giggs received an OBE and is one of only two players to have scored in every Premier league campaign. To this day he is still a fixture in the Manchester United team and is looking to become the most decorated footballer in English league history.
Keith Gillespie
Another substitute in the final, Gillespie struggled to gain first team football Old Trafford and spent most of his first season professional season on loan at Wigan Athletic. Despite impressing in the first division, he still could not force his way into the Manchester United team. Gillespie moved away from Old Trafford became part of a deal which took Andy Cole from Newcastle United to Manchester. In three seasons with the magpies he helped them to 2nd place in the league and to the FA Cup final before he left to join Blackburn Rovers in 1998. His three years in the North West were badly affected by injuries and to gain fitness he returned to Wigan in 2000. Back with Blackburn, the midfielder was part of the Rovers side which won the league cup in 2003 and at the end of the 2003/04 season decided to move to Leicester City. After a couple of difficult years with the club in the Championship he transferred to Sheffield United where he currently plays.
Two other players, Joe Roberts and Leonard Taylor, featured for Manchester United in both legs of the FA Youth Cup Final however there is no record of them representing the Red Devils or any other club after this date.
Kevin Pilkington
Having made some excellent saves to keep Palace at bay in the second leg, Pilkington went onto become understudy to Peter Schmeichel in the first team. Making only a few appearances in a six year period he joined Rochdale and Rotherham on loan before transferring to the SPL with Celtic. Yet to play a game for the Hoops he returned to England to play for Port Vale before joining Wigan Athletic. In 2000, Mansfield made him their number one goalkeeper and in a five year period at the club he went on to play over 150 games for the Stags. In the summer of 2005 he moved to Notts. County of League Two and currently continues to play his football there.
John O’Kane
O’Kane turned professional with United at the age of 18 but played just two competitive five years at the club. After performing well in loan spells at Bury and Bradford City of Division One, Everton decided to sign the defender on a permanent deal in 1997. After an impressive start on Merseyside, injuries hampered his development and he was allowed to leave the club on loan with short spells Burnley and Bolton Wanderers. Just two years after joining the Toffees, he decided to leave, making his move to Bolton a permanent one. O’Kane helped them into the playoffs before yet again suffering with injuries which prevented him from playing regularly during their spell in the Premiership. He was released at the end of his contract in 2003 and joined Blackpool where he stayed two years before moving down to the non league to play for Hyde United where he called time on his playing career in 2005.
George Switzer
Switzer joined the club at eight years old and was an integral part of the clubs successes in the FA Youth Cup. He signed as a professional on a one year deal but was released by Alex Ferguson who believed that he was too small to play full back. In 1993 the defender signed for Darlington but played only 14 games for the club before signing for Hyde United. George played over 200 games for the club in six seasons before decided to move back to his native Ireland. In 2004 he joined Salford City before signing for his hometown club Irlam in 2006. Retiring from football after a season with the club, Switzer now works as an optical technician for Dollond and Aitchison.
Chris Casper
Casper went on to make his debut for the first team against Port Vale in the League Cup a year after successes in the FA Youth Cup. Progressing along very well he served as England youth team captain and was a member of the 1993 European Championship winning side. Despite he recognition at youth international level, Casper made just two league appearances in over five years at Manchester United. Searching for first team football the defender had three spells in the football league attempting before rather unfortunately at the age of 24 being forced to retire after suffering a double leg fracture. While undergoing a period of rehabilitation he spent much time coaching and helped Team Bath into the FA Cup first round.
He was appointed as a coach at Bury mainly working with clubs reserve team. After the first team suffered a poor run of results, he replaced Graham Barrow as manager. As the youngest ever manager in the league Casper helped Bury avoid relegation in his first full season but when the club began to struggle at the start of 2008 he was sacked and is currently seeking a return to coaching or management in the near future.
Gary Neville
After captaining the Youth Cup winning team, Neville went on to have a sustained run in the Manchester United first team. He debuted 1992 and within two years became the regular choice right back as the club built on its youthful foundations. At 33, Neville is still very much a regular and after the departure of Roy Keane became the club captain. He has over amassed over 300 appearances for United to date winning seven league championships, three FA Cups, one Champions League and one League cup with the Red Devils. During his playing career, Gary has also appeared over eighty times for England since his debut 1995 and has played at 3 World Cups and 3 European Championship for his country.
David Beckham
Struggling to break through into the Manchester United team shortly after the youth cup success, Beckham joined Preston North End on loan before in 1996 returning to the club after impressing the clubs coaches. He made his debut in a Premier League match against Leeds and in over 250 appearances for the ‘red devils’ he scored 61 goals won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League before moving to Real Madrid in 2003. In the Spanish capital, Beckham played alongside some of the greatest players in the world but his only honour was a La Liga title in 2007. At the end of the trophy winning campaign Beckham announced he was to join the LA Galaxy in the MLS. Since moving across the Atlantic he has struggled with fitness and has fallen out of favour with the national team but despite his age aims to see out his contract and be part of the England squad for the World Cup in 2010.
Nicky Butt
Butt signed a long term deal with Manchester United in 1993 and despite never featuring for the club as a regular in his eleven years at Old Trafford he claimed six Premiership titles as well as four FA Cup winners medals was part of the team which won the Champions League in 1999. Butt also played an inspirational part in England’s successes at the 2002 World Cup. Having seen several midfield players join the club, Butt decided to go in search of first team action in 2004 joining Newcastle United. Initially Nicky failed to command a first team place and moved on loan to Birmingham in 2005 to add experience in their battle against the drop. When the club was relegated from the Premiership he returned Newcastle citing his need for top flight action and immediately sought about regaining his place. Under Sam Allardyce, Butt was named as the club’s captain and in 2008 helped the club successfully battle relegation.
Simon Davies
Davies signed professional forms at Old Trafford the year after playing in the youth cup final but was almost immediately loaned out to Exeter City. Returning to Old Trafford, Simon played several games for the team but in 1996 he was loaned to Huddersfield. Manchester United decided not to renew his contract the year later and he moved to Luton Town on a free transfer. After one season with the Hatters, he returned to the North West to play for Macclesfield Town before moving to nearby Rochdale in 2001. The Welshman decided to end his spell in England and at the end of his second season with ‘dale, the midfielder he played for TNS sandwiched between two spells at Bangor City. In 2007 he called time on his playing career and moved into coaching at Chester City.
Colin Mckee
After successes with the youth team McKee was sent on loan to Bury. Appearing only twice for the second division side and playing only once for the Red Devils upon returning to his parent club, he moved to Scotland, signing for Kilmarnock in 1994. McKee played over 75 games in the SPL scoring 12 goals before being released in October 1997. In search of regular playing time in Scotland he had trials with Partick Thistle, Falkirk and before signing for Stirling Albion in 1999. Despite his efforts he was still not able hold down a place in the team and decided to Vikingur of Norway before finishing off his career with non league Fauldhouse United in 2004.
Robbie Savage
Despite signing on professionally on at Old Trafford in 1993, Savage was released by the club without playing single game for the first team. After one year at the United he joined Crewe Alexandra before earning a move to Leicester City in 1997. With the Foxes he was a member of the League Cup winning team and helped the club sustain top half finishes in the following seasons. In 2002 Savage decided to move on when the club was relegated from the Premiership and joined Birmingham City who swapped were looking to establish themselves as a top flight team. After three years with the club, the midfielder made a move to Blackburn Rovers. Following a broken leg in 2006, Savage became more frequently used as a bit part player and in search of first team action in his final few years, Robbie moved to Derby to add to experience to their struggling squad.
Ben Thornley
Midfield starlet Ben Thornley started the youth cup game ahead of Ryan Giggs in the left wing position and went on to sign professionally for the club the year later. Though the club had high hopes of his ability, Thornley started just two games in his first two years and in a bid to gain first team football had a spell at Stockport County before a two year loan move at Huddersfield Town. With Manchester United undecided on whether they would offer the player a new contract or not, Thornley chose to make his move to Huddersfield a permanent one. In four years with Town, he started over 100 games before moving to Scotland in 2001, signing for Aberdeen. After only one year in the SPL, he returned to England signing for Blackpool before transferring to Bury on a short term basis. In 2004, Halifax Town became his final professional club before he decided to join the non league side Bacup Borough. Thornley currently plays his football for Wilmslow Albion of the East Cheshire Sunday Football Division.
Ryan Giggs
Stepping up to the professional level despite starting both games on the bench for his side in the youth cup, Giggs has gone on to become one of the greatest successes to come through the clubs academy. The Welshman made his debut in 1992 and was part of the team that won the very first Premier league title. He has since gone on to claim eight more league titles, four FA Cups, two league cups and a champions league in his time at Old Trafford. In 2005 Giggs received an OBE and is one of only two players to have scored in every Premier league campaign. To this day he is still a fixture in the Manchester United team and is looking to become the most decorated footballer in English league history.
Keith Gillespie
Another substitute in the final, Gillespie struggled to gain first team football Old Trafford and spent most of his first season professional season on loan at Wigan Athletic. Despite impressing in the first division, he still could not force his way into the Manchester United team. Gillespie moved away from Old Trafford became part of a deal which took Andy Cole from Newcastle United to Manchester. In three seasons with the magpies he helped them to 2nd place in the league and to the FA Cup final before he left to join Blackburn Rovers in 1998. His three years in the North West were badly affected by injuries and to gain fitness he returned to Wigan in 2000. Back with Blackburn, the midfielder was part of the Rovers side which won the league cup in 2003 and at the end of the 2003/04 season decided to move to Leicester City. After a couple of difficult years with the club in the Championship he transferred to Sheffield United where he currently plays.
Two other players, Joe Roberts and Leonard Taylor, featured for Manchester United in both legs of the FA Youth Cup Final however there is no record of them representing the Red Devils or any other club after this date.