Declan Sebastian Eratt-Thompson (born 9 March 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Ilkeston Town.

Declan Thompson
Personal information
Full name Declan Sebastian Eratt-Thompson[1]
Date of birth (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 22)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Ilkeston Town
Youth career
2014–2016 Sheffield Wednesday
2016–2018 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 (0)
2018–2022 Sheffield Wednesday 0 (0)
2022– Ilkeston Town 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:08, 30 June 2022 (UTC)

Early and personal life edit

Thompson was diagnosed with Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease aged 5, and spent 18 months in a wheelchair.[2] He is the son of former professional footballer Lee Thompson.[3]

Career edit

Thompson played youth football with Sheffield Wednesday before being released at the age of 14.[4] He began training with the Stocksbridge Park Steels first team, where his father was assistant manager, though could not play as he was too young.[5][4] He registered with the league upon his sixteenth birthday in March 2018, and made his senior debut later that month as a late substitute against Kidsgrove Athletic on 28 March 2018.[5][6][7]

He signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a two-year scholarship in summer 2018.[8] Following his two-year scholarship, he signed a one-year-long professional contract in summer 2020.[2][9][3] He made his senior debut on 9 January 2021 as a late substitute in a 2–0 FA Cup win over Exeter City.[10] A one year option was activated in his contract on 12 May 2021, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2022.[11] On 16 March 2022, manager Darren Moore announced he would be leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract.[12]

On 19 August 2022, Thompson signed for Southern League Premier Division Central club Ilkeston Town.[13] He made his debut the following day off the bench in a 1–1 draw with Redditch United.[14]

Career statistics edit

As of match played 9 January 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sheffield Wednesday 2020–21[15] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2021–22[16] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

References edit

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 23rd June 2020: Sheffield Wednesday" (PDF). 23 June 2020. p. 24. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b Frostick, Nancy (26 June 2020). "A pro contract for Declan Thompson, the boy who was told he might never walk again". The Athletic. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b Crann, Joe (6 May 2020). "Wheelchair to Wednesday: remarkable teenage defender pens Owls pro deal". The Star. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b Grayson, James (5 May 2020). "Thompson proud as son Declan, who overcame Perthes Disease, wins pro deal with Sheffield Wednesday". Non League Yorkshire. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b Grayson, James (1 April 2018). "Thompson hails 16-year-old son Declan". Non League Yorkshire. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Kidsgrove Athletic vs. Stocksbridge Park Steels - 28 March 2018 - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  7. ^ Grayson, James (1 April 2018). "Thompson hails 16-year-old son Declan". Non League Yorkshire.
  8. ^ "Owls welcome new academy scholars". www.swfc.co.uk. Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  9. ^ "New deals for seven young Owls". www.swfc.co.uk. Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Emotional video surfaces as teenage Owl makes his Sheffield Wednesday debut". The Star. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Owls academy retained list confirmed". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Owls confirm Under-23 departures". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  13. ^ @ilkestontown_fc (19 August 2022). "✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of highly-rated former @swfc defender Declan Eratt-Thompson. Declan will be available for selection tomorrow afternoon. 🤩Welcome to the NMG Declan👊 🔴⚪⚫#OneTownOneClub" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Robins held to another home draw". ilkestontownfc.co.uk. 20 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Games played by Declan Thompson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Games played by Declan Thompson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

External links edit