I was born in a small town: Ranking Warrington’s top 5 footballers

Warrington has made its mark on professional football over the years. Sure, Warrington Town play in non-league football, but the area has produced a number of professional players that have played for big teams.

The new Matchbook promo gives Warrington Town fans a great incentive to follow their team all season long. The town of over 200,000 has got sports running through its veins and it is no wonder that professional athletes have been produced from the area.

Which Warrington-born footballers are the best to come out of the town? Let’s look at the top 5 footballers from Warrington.

5. Matthew Pennington

There must be something in the water in Warrington as the town has produced a number of defenders. Matthew Pennington is just starting his career, but by the time it finishes, he could be much higher up the list of Warrington-born footballer.

Just 24, the 6ft 1in centre-back is signed to Everton although he is currently on loan at Championship side Ipswich Town. According to more than one source, Pennington is expected to get his chances in Everton’s first team next season. In a 2014-15 loan spell at Coventry City, Pennington was named the club’s player of the season.

4. Tommy Smith

Tommy Smith has been ever-present at Huddersfield Town since joining the first team in 2013. The right-back has experienced the highs and lows of playing for the Terriers. Although the 2018-19 season has gone as planned, and Smith has faced injury issues, he has found a home at the John Smith’s Stadium. Born in Warrington in 1992, Smith played in Manchester City’s youth academy before moving to Huddersfield.

3. Stephen Jordan

Stephen Jordan fulfilled a childhood dream when he joined Manchester City’s youth academy at the age of eight. Jordan, who was born in Warrington in 1982, graduated from the academy and became a regular with the Cityzens’ reserve team.

He made his first team debut in April 2003 against Bolton. The defender played 53 times for Manchester City before moving on to Burnley, Sheffield United, and a host of other clubs.

2. James Chester

Centre-back James Chester has played over 110 times for Aston Villa since joining the club in 2016. The former Manchester United academy graduate and Warrington-born player has made a great career for himself.

Not only is Chester a key man at Villa Park, but he has been a part of the Welsh national team since 2014. Chester has made 35 appearances for Wales and was a member of the team’s memorable Euro 2016 journey to the semi-finals.

1.Jesse Lingard

There is no more famous footballer who started life in Warrington than Manchester United star Jesse Lingard. The forward/midfielder was born in December 1992 and later attended the Beamont Collegiate Academy.

Spotted by Manchester United scouts at the age of seven, Lingard went on to win the FA Youth Cup with the Red Devils. A few months after lifting the trophy in 2011, he was offered his first Manchester United professional contract.

Lingard never found life easy at Old Trafford in the early days. He was sent on loan four times before getting a shot in the Red Devils first team. Since 2015, Lingard has been a regular in the Manchester United team.