Rochdale game dedicated to Thompson
We are proud to announce that Manchester United Under-21s' upcoming friendly against Rochdale is to be dedicated to Joe Thompson.
Both clubs are coming together in a Game for Joe, who sadly passed away in April.
Our former Academy graduate meant so much to both clubs and the pre-season fixture on Saturday 2 August (15:00 BST kick-off) provides the opportunity to treasure his memory.
Introducing the Joe Thompson Award
ArticleThe prize is a tribute to our former youth-team player who passed away in April, aged 36.
A minute's applause will be held beforehand and members of Joe's family are due to be in attendance at the Crown Oil Arena and are selecting some of his favourite songs to play in the build-up to the kick-off.
A reminder that both sets of supporters can sit together, with no segregation.
United recently set up the Joe Thompson award, which will be presented each year within the Academy to somebody who best embodies the values he displayed.
He left the Reds to join Rochdale as a teenager and achieved legendary status with his local side.
Tickets for the friendly are available to purchase via Dale's official website.
All future matches between the clubs will have a special trophy at stake, with the first one being the National League Cup match, provisionally due to be staged on 21 October.