Former Man Utd youngster who made Champions League bow under Ferguson retired at 27 to become builder
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Former Manchester United full-back Lee Roche, who made five first team appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, retired from football aged 27 to become a builder.
Roche, who was born in Bolton in 1980, joined United's academy in 1997 and made his Premier League debut two years match against Newcastle.
He also started a League Cup game against Arsenal before spending the 2000/01 season on loan at Wrexham, who were then in the Second Division of English football.
The Welsh club had a successful campaign, recording 63 points from their 46 games to finish in 10th place - a position higher than the previous season. Roche was a near ever-present in the lineup, making 41 appearances.
Upon his return to United, the young full-back had to wait over a year before his next senior appearance for the club. He started a 2002/03 Champions League group stage fixture against Deportivo La Coruna - a game United lost 2-0 - as part of a side that featured several young players, including Mark Lynch, John O'Shea and Danny Pugh.
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He was released by United at the end of 2003, moving back to the Second Division to join Burnley. He worked his way into the Clarets team on a regular basis by the end of his first campaign, but Roche was moved to an unfamiliar position upon the appointment of Steve Cotterill as manager.
After 54 appearances with Burnley, he joined Wrexham on a free transfer in 2005, departing the League Two side two years later.
Roche retired from professional football after his Wrexham spell ended, and despite playing for Droylsden for four years, decided to take up an entirely new career path.
Ex-Man Utd youngster became builder after retirement
After his career ended, Roche received support from the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in order to help him retrain for another profession.
He became a full-time plumber, and founded his own cavity wall insulation business.
But he has been back at Old Trafford on a number of occasions. He has spent time as a matchday data analyst for Opta Sports, and has visited Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in the role on a number of occasions as well.
He told Planet Football in 2019: "I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here.
"It can get pretty tiresome so I don't go shouting about that I played for United.
"I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world. Most of them probably don't have a plan to fall back on if they don't make it as a professional."
Featured Image Credit: Alamy & LFETV/YouTube
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Burnley, Wrexham, Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson
