‘I wanted to quit football after disgusting urine prank’

It all began with goalkeeper Tony Thompson, like all other matchdays before.

Before the nitty-gritty on the pitch, breakfast is served with beans on toast for breakfast, a 40-minute drive to Warrington Town’s Cantilever Park, a cup of tea and a chat with team-mates in the dressing room, and then a cup of coffee.

In the second round of the FA Trophy, Warrington squared off against Guiseley, the northern premier league’s top division rival.

Both side clubs had a big game, with the winning team getting closer to the Wembley final.

By the time it was too late, Thompson, who was growing up on Liverpool’s books, was ready to leave after a “knocked me sick” incident.

Thompson reached for the drinks bottle by his net and gulped some of what he thought was water as the tie was still in progress.

While Thompson was focusing on the game, a Guiseley fan behind his goal climbed over the pitchside barrier and exchanged bottles.

The keeper claimed that the bottle he had drank from was filled with urine rather than water.

Other fans filmed the incident, which was shared more than two million times on social media.

Thompson, 30, says, “At first, I wanted to be sick.”

What will you do about it, the lad said as I turned around to confront the perpetrator.

My head was completely gone, I thought. It grew a little tense.

I slammed the bottle in my hands and poured it on the youngster. I reacted incredulously and said, “That’s disgusting.”

Thompson received a three-game suspension for his reaction, which was later reduced to one, and Warrington lost the game 1-0.

Thompson left the game after returning home and saying, “Today I fell out of love with the game.” It is outrageous to be told that I was prohibited from reacting because I am a player. That person has seriously endangered my health and that of my family, and made me sick.

41, 000 people liked the post, which went viral.

He goes on to say that it was enthralling for a few days before going mad. “I was receiving interviews, but someone urinated in my bottle, so I’m not known for being a good goalkeeper.”

Thompson’s career includes a spell at Rotherham United while Emiliano Martinez, who is currently a student at Aston Villa, was an Arsenal loanee.

Thompson has rekindled his love for football, despite Martinez winning the World Cup with Argentina.

He has left Warrington and will have his usual pre-game breakfast before joining Bootle in the FA Cup’s first qualifying round against Yorkshire side Silsden on Saturday.

Thompson claims that to continue playing after that agonizing experience in 2022 required a lot of soul-searching and persuasion from family, friends, and team-mates.

Chris Kirkland, a former Liverpool and England goalkeeper who was attacked by a fan while playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2012, also received a message of support from him.

Thompson, who was a member of the Altrincham team that won six ties to advance to the FA Cup second round in 2019, says, “I was ready to quit right away.

No player is allowed to be treated that way on a football field. I enjoy some fan interaction. At the conclusion of the game, I typically shake hands with opposition supporters.

What transpired against Guiseley wasn’t banter. I don’t play football for reasons like that.

“Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to keep playing because something like that shouldn’t cause me to stop.” If I can’t physically play any more, I’ll stop, right?

Thompson received a letter a few weeks after the incident.

Cheshire Police questioned Thompson about pressing charges, but he insisted against it.

He claims that “we all make mistakes” as young men.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not soft and what he did was repulsive,” I said. However, I didn’t want to hinder his future with one incident.

He apologized in a letter I received. I did read it, but because of how raw it was, I was right back.

Thompson wants to play football for as long as possible and has since given up on his life.

He left Rotherham without making a senior appearance, and the majority of his playing time was in the non-league.

His only previous clubs were Morecambe in 2015-16, while his only previous appearance was in the Football League, which included Chelmsford City (loan), Southport (loan), Chester (loan), and AFC Fylde.

He continues, “I adore the family atmosphere of non-league football.”

I was able to identify everyone at Altrincham for five years, and they all recognized me.

“The club has a strong family feel,” says Bootle. The supporters and the chairman share the same goals. For the love of the game, that is.

Vincent, Thompson’s partner, gave birth to his son last month, and his father finds him inspiring.

Thompson says, “I’m completely happy that I chose to continue playing.”