sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Former Man Utd youngster who made Champions League bow under Ferguson retired at 27 to become builder

Home> Football

Published 15:48 11 Jun 2023 GMT+1

Former Man Utd youngster who made Champions League bow under Ferguson retired at 27 to become builder

One ex-Man Utd youngster chose a different career path.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Former Manchester United full-back Lee Roche, who made five first team appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, retired from football aged 27 to become a builder.

Roche, who was born in Bolton in 1980, joined United's academy in 1997 and made his Premier League debut two years match against Newcastle.

He also started a League Cup game against Arsenal before spending the 2000/01 season on loan at Wrexham, who were then in the Second Division of English football.

The Welsh club had a successful campaign, recording 63 points from their 46 games to finish in 10th place - a position higher than the previous season. Roche was a near ever-present in the lineup, making 41 appearances.

Advert

Upon his return to United, the young full-back had to wait over a year before his next senior appearance for the club. He started a 2002/03 Champions League group stage fixture against Deportivo La Coruna - a game United lost 2-0 - as part of a side that featured several young players, including Mark Lynch, John O'Shea and Danny Pugh.

He was released by United at the end of 2003, moving back to the Second Division to join Burnley. He worked his way into the Clarets team on a regular basis by the end of his first campaign, but Roche was moved to an unfamiliar position upon the appointment of Steve Cotterill as manager.

After 54 appearances with Burnley, he joined Wrexham on a free transfer in 2005, departing the League Two side two years later.

Roche retired from professional football after his Wrexham spell ended, and despite playing for Droylsden for four years, decided to take up an entirely new career path.

Ex-Man Utd youngster became builder after retirement

After his career ended, Roche received support from the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in order to help him retrain for another profession.

He became a full-time plumber, and founded his own cavity wall insulation business.

But he has been back at Old Trafford on a number of occasions. He has spent time as a matchday data analyst for Opta Sports, and has visited Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in the role on a number of occasions as well.

He told Planet Football in 2019: "I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here.

"It can get pretty tiresome so I don't go shouting about that I played for United.

"I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world. Most of them probably don't have a plan to fall back on if they don't make it as a professional."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & LFETV/YouTube

Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Burnley, Wrexham, Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Recommended reads

David Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGettyTyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

a minute ago
18 mins ago
an hour ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    a minute ago

    Paul Pogba's Monaco salary revealed as 'it wasn't about the money' claim made

    Pogba was previously one of the highest earners in world football.

    Football
  • Netfix
    18 mins ago

    The trailer for Ronaldinho's new Netflix documentary has just dropped and it looks incredible

    The documentary will cover moments from Ronaldinho's life, including the 'unexpected episode' that landed him in a Paraguayan prison.

    Football
  • Panini
    an hour ago

    The biggest Panini World Cup sticker album ever has arrived and there are some big changes

    It will cost a pretty penny to complete this year's album.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Football Supporters' Association issue statement as FIFA World Cup final ticket prices revealed

    FIFA's latest World Cup ticket prices have emerged through open sale - and fans are not happy.

    Football
  • What Sir Alex Ferguson did after player knocked on his door asking for a trial
  • What happened to the five players on Sir Alex Ferguson's leaked Man Utd transfer list
  • QUIZ: Can you name Sir Alex Ferguson's top 50 most expensive Man Utd signings
  • Ex-Premier League star reveals why he rejected Man Utd despite Alex Ferguson 'bombarding' him with messages