Bedford Town sign ex-West Brom, Pompey, Peterborough, Derby, Watford, Luton, Oxford player George Thorne, who has struggled with injuries.
The midfielder was part of England’s Under 17 European Championship winning side in 2010 and has made appearances in the Premier League, Championship and League One but these days finds himself at ambitious Southern League Central Premier club Bedford Town.
Born in Chatham, Thorne joined the Baggies’ Academy in 2005, having been one of the many talented youngsters who were left without a club when Cambridge United’s youth scheme closed. He made his debut in a 4–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in 2009–10, coming off the bench for Simon Cox. At 16 years, 328 days, this made him the youngest player to represent West Brom in a senior competitive match since Bobby Hope in April 1960. In January 2010, Thorne signed his first professional contract with Albion, doing so prior to the club’s home game with Nottingham Forest.
On the 24th of November 2011, Thorne joined then-Championship team Portsmouth on loan until the 2nd January 2012, alongside Joe Mattock. He made his debut two days later, starting in a 1–1 draw against Leicester City at Fratton Park. In late December 2011, he was recalled along with two other players also on loan at other clubs due to an injury crisis. On the 18th of February 2012, he re-joined Portsmouth on loan. He made his second debut in a 2–0 defeat against Barnsley the same day. On the 30th of March, he picked up an ankle injury in the game against Burnley, being ruled out for the rest of the season, and returning to West Brom.
On the 21st of November 2012, he signed for Peterborough United on loan until January, making his debut three days later, helping Peterborough secure a 1–1 draw away to Ipswich Town. He scored his first goal on the 22nd December in a 5–4 win against Bolton Wanderers.
On the 28th of December 2012, West Brom manager Steve Clarke recalled Thorne from Peterborough. Two days later, Thorne started in central midfield in a Premier League clash with Manchester United.
On the 6th of November 2013, Thorne went out on loan to Watford until the 2nd of January 2014, making eight appearances in total.
On the 30th of January 2014, Thorne went out on loan to Derby County for the remainder of the 2013–14 season. Thorne’s first appearance for Derby County came in their 5–0 win against rivals Nottingham Forest in March 2014. He scored his first goal for Derby against Doncaster in April 2014. He played his final game of the loan spell for the Rams in the Championship playoff final at Wembley, where his side lost 1–0 to QPR.
On 18 July 2014, Derby County agreed a fee with West Brom for Thorne and the following day, after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, Thorne joined the Rams on a four-year contract. It is predicted the fee was between £2.6 million and £3.2 million.
On the 22nd of July 2014, Thorne suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during a friendly match against Zenit Saint Petersburg and was ruled out of football for up to nine months.
Having fought hard to get back to fitness and into the first team again, in May 2016, Thorne suffered a broken leg during the final league game of the season against Ipswich Town and was ruled out of football for over a year. This was due to a number of complications during operations and his recovery, and despite having the ability and football brain, he was physically not the same player after this injury.
Thorne joined League One club Luton Town on the 7th of January 2019 on loan until the end of 2018–19, making a small amount of appearances.
He then signed for another League One club, Oxford United, on the 19th of August 2019 on loan until January 2020 with the loan was made permanent on the 22nd of January 2020, with Thorne signing a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season, making seven appearances for the U’s.
On the 12th of September 2022, having retired from league football on the 23rd of August 2022, George Thorne restarted his playing career outside of the top four divisions at non league step 3 with Bedford Town, signing a contract until the end of the season. His new side currently sit 17th with 7 points from 6 games played. They won promotion last season, 91 points from 38 played in the Southern Football League Division One Central.
Eagles Welcome Thorne Signing 📝
Former League player signs on at the Eyrie.
Full story ⬇️https://t.co/sfq2qmkHjA pic.twitter.com/UqFYGVbU5X
— 🦅 Bedford Town Football Club 🦅 (@BedfordTown) September 12, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Bedford Town Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of George Thorne. The 29 year old midfielder arrives at the Eyrie having played several games in the Championship for Derby County and the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion.
His six years at Derby were hit with injury, but he had successful seasons at Pride Park including the Rams run to the playoff final. George left the professional game last summer, and having taken some time away from football now returns to the game to help drive the Eagles forward. We’re also delighted to announce that George has signed a one year contract with the club, which will see him remain at the Eyrie until next summer.
Speaking to www.bedfordeagles.net, Manager Gary Setchell commented “I’m really happy we’ve managed to attract a player of George’s quality to the Eyrie. He has an abundance of experience having played in the Championship and Premier League. This experience in the dressing room will prove crucial as we continue to develop the side.”
George has been registered in time to play in our PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central fixture against Hitchin Town at the Eyrie tomorrow night. Make sure you attend this local derby and find out if George makes his debut. Get your advanced tickets now by visiting the club’s online ticket store, by clicking here.
There was plenty of reaction as Bedford Town sign ex-West Brom, Pompey, Peterborough, Derby, Watford, Luton, Oxford player George Thorne…
@BTFCMichael: Unreal Signing for us, wether he hadnt played for 2 years or not still a huge coup for us 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅
@Dan_Eddie: As a DCFC fan…this is a right coup for Bedford 😮
@nickstu1007: He was a wonder kid on @FootballManager great signing for bedford
@theposhfan: One of the most naturally talented midfielders I’ve seen at Posh. Real shame injuries ruined him, but wish him all the best!
@adi_mowles: Absolutely Nick, truly talented and injuries or not he should be able to stroll around that standard and let the ball talk for him.
@LiamPitch: One of my fav ever loan players at posh what a player
@RayJohn63032595: Very good catch
@LutonTownExile: Wow. Some signing that is.
@Timlad71: What a player he was for us. An absolute natural. Makes the game look easy. #dcfc
@thomasdcfc1: One of our best players in the last 10-15 years. Such a shame about injury’s
@TheDerbyBoy1: One of the best. All the best @GeorgeThorne34 legend 🖤🐏
@Pottingpinks: Good signing, hopefully steer clear of those injuries.
@marktheram7: All the best George – good luck.
@RollWithIt86: This guy could and should’ve been a prem regular. Unreal talent pre injuries
@derby_lad: What a signing keep. What a player he was shame about injuries
@phillowe1: What a player you have there in @GeorgeThorne34 shows his passion and commitment to the game and his hunger to still be playing despite some of the very worse luck in footballing injuries!! good luck mate!
@tomhwilliams23: Potentially the craziest transfer in non league this year, and there have been some crazy ones! I know he’s injury prone but he’s only 29. Bedford also have Craig Mackail-Smith @12CMS12 scored probably my favourite live goal ever against Mansfield too
@jakoblachss: some signing that is
@teamslikeLuton: Sensational singing for the level, injuries robbed this guy of a top Championship career.
@LiamHenton: Top signing this!!
@DainoSismey: My word thats a signing
@waynorams: What a player. Up there as one my Fav players to ever put on a rams shirt. 🐏🐏
@conyard_adam: What a signing that is btw😳😳😳

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