Thompson wins new Hyde United deal

It’s been a long time coming, but Hyde United boss Nick Spooner finally has his man, with Jake Thompson signing for the club.

The 26-year-old forward joins from National League North (NLN) side, Radcliffe, who brought in former Tigers captain Brad Roscoe in the summer. 

Primarily a winger, the Yorkshireman started his career in the Huddersfield Town academy, where he faced the likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Trent Alexander-Arnold.  

Following his release in 2017, Thompson spent time in the Northern Counties East Football League with Eccleshill United, Liversedge and Silsden, before heading over the Pennines and into the Northern Premier League (NPL) with Ramsbottom United and Bamber Bridge. 

"He’s wanted to come to us for a while, but it’s just not quite worked out,” Spooner told the Reporter. “We’ve always had lots of players who are good on the ball, but he gives us something we’ve never had before, which is lightning pace.” 

“He’s a threat and is getting better with age. People used to question his end product, but he’s played in this league for 3 or 4 years with Bamber Bridge and Radcliffe, and we’re made up to get this over the line.” 

He has appeared four times off the bench for Radcliffe in the NLN, with whom he won last season’s Northern Premier League title. 

Elsewhere in the NPL, Stalybridge Celtic have brought in Jordan Buckley on loan from FC United, who Hyde play in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round tomorrow. 

The striker struggled with injuries for a couple of seasons at his previous club, Warrington Town, before making the move to Broadhurst Park last December. 

He scored 4 goals in 19 games for Neil Reynolds’s team, but found himself pushed down the pecking order after the summer arrival of former Reading, Bolton and Hibs striker Adam Le Fondre. 

“Jordan brings real quality in the final third,” Bridge manager James Kinsey told the club’s website. “We’ve had a few injuries of late and this loan deal works for us, Jordan and FC United. 

"He is a proven goal scorer at higher levels, and he will only aid us in the coming weeks. He is a big lad, but can shift in behind too...he will be ready to go for Saturday." 

Buckley could make his Stalybridge debut tomorrow when they travel to Vauxhall Motors in the NPL West.