Our Under-21s’ friendly match at the home of the National League side was dedicated as ‘A Game For Joe’ to honour the memory of our former Academy player, who died in April at the age of 36.
After joining United at the age of nine, Joe left the Reds as a 16-year-old to join Rochdale, where he achieved legendary status in 203 appearances over three spells before retiring in 2019.
Twice given the all-clear from cancer during his 13-year playing career, the popular former MUTV pundit was diagnosed a third time last year, yet still showed tremendous courage and helped to raise over £20,000 for charity by joining a walk with hundreds of fans, friends and ex-team-mates from Old Trafford to Rochdale.
Joe’s family chose some of his favourite songs which included Take Me Home by Jess Glynne and Better Days by Dermot Kennedy during the build-up on Saturday. Just before kick-off, the 1,756 fans in attendance joined both teams in a minute’s applause – which was repeated again in the 15th minute, when there were also chants of “Only One Joey Thompson”.
Joe’s brother Reuben, daughter Thailula and wife Chantelle also received the pre-match pennants from both captains and shirts bearing Joe’s name at the side of the pitch, as well as conducting the half-time raffle draw.
Rochdale announced on Friday that they have retired the squad number 15, which Joe wore, in his memory, while shirts from the match will also be auctioned off to raise funds for Joey T’s Foundation.