Whatever happened to Peterborough United’s local lads apart from winning the FA Cup, signing for Manchester United and Arsenal, and becoming a coach at Manchester City?
There is nothing more satisfying than seeing Peterborough lads play for Peterborough United.
By Alan Swann
Published 14th May 2020, 07:29 BST
Updated 14th May 2020, 13:05 BST
We’ve had many Posh greats come through the club’s Academy set-up like current youth team bossess Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington, but they were born in Wales and Cornwall respectively.
Here we are remembering those players who were born in the Peterborough Telegraph circulation area and who went on to play for their local professional club.
One went on to win an FA Cup winners medal, another moved to Manchester United for £500k after just two Posh appearances and another was snapped up by Arsenal after a handful of games for his hometown club.
Others had more modest careers in the lower divisions, but still proudly put Peterborough on the map.
We’ve listed our top 10 in no particular order and, thanks to the brilliant recall ability of our readers listed a whole bunch of other local boys who played for Posh.
Famous Posh fan TalkSPORT host Adrian Durham said: “Micky Gynn was the most successful, but Mark Heeley was the most talented local boy to play for Posh.”
One went on to win an FA Cup winners medal, another moved to Manchester United for £500k after just two Posh appearances and another was snapped up by Arsenal after a handful of games for his hometown club.
9.
JACKIE GALLAGHER: This popular forward couldn’t make a breakthrough at Lincoln City , but impressed Posh boss Peter Morris enough in a trial in 1980 to earn a one-year contract. But Gallagher, a slow but skilled player, made just 15 appearances and scored only one goal before he was released, He then played in Hong Kong, Torquay and Wisbech before earning another crack with Posh at the start of the 1985-86 season. Gallagher scored twice in a 4-2 win at Preston on the opening day of the season and went on to enjoy a fruitful strike partnership with Steve ‘Inchy’ Phillips. After two seasons as a first-team regular Gallagher was transferred to Wolves where he won a Fourth Division title and a Freight Rover Trophy winners medal after a Wembley final. Photo: Midlands
RON COOPER: Cooper was the first locally born player to make an impact for Posh after the club achieved their Football League status in 1960. Cooper played for Posh in their Midland League days, but had to wait for the 1963-64 season to make his Football League debut. The tough, reliable right-back went on to make 150 appeareances for the club before leaving after a decade’s service in 1968. He was involved in the Posh club record FA Cup run to the quarter-finals in the 1964-65 season when Arsenal were among the victims. Cooper was rewarded with a testimonial match against Dreby County which Posh won 4-2. Brian Clough played for Derby and scored in front of a 5,000 crowd. Cooper, who passed away in 2018, went on to manage Bourne Town. Photo: Midlands
RICKY-JADE JONES: The current first-team squad member is just 17 and being touted as a top player of the future. He's already claimed four first-team goals after coming through the Posh Academy ranks. He's played for the club since he was 9 and Posh claim to have already turned down a £2 million bid for the striker from a top Premier League side. Photo: Midlands
ANDY FURNELL: Yaxley lad who made his Posh debut aged 16 in the the 1993-94 season. He looked the part, but injuries dogged his career. Best remembered for having the bottle to take a penalty in an FA Cup replay shootout against Spurs at White Hart Lane when aged 16. Enjoyed a strong non-league career and now working wonders as manager of Yaxley FC. Photo: Peterborough Evening Telegraph
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