The Forgotten Stars of Man Utd’s Class of ’92 Revealed
The Class of ’92 is widely regarded as one of the most talented and successful groups of young footballers in Manchester United’s history. Comprised of players such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and the Neville brothers, this group would go on to become legends for the club and help turn the Red Devils into a global force. However, not all members of this iconic team had the same level of success. Let’s take a closer look at what happened to some of the forgotten stars of Man Utd’s Class of ’92.
Kevin Pilkington: The Shotstopper’s Struggles
Kevin Pilkington was a goalkeeper who faced a major obstacle in his path to the first team – the legendary Peter Schmeichel. Despite playing eight times for the club, Pilkington struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. Eventually, he was signed by Port Vale and went on to play for several lower-level teams, including Mansfield Town and Notts County. Pilkington dropped down to non-league football with Luton Town before retiring in 2019. Since 2021, he has returned to Kenilworth Road as the club’s goalkeeping coach.
George Switzer: Finding a New Path
George Switzer, a left-back of the famous FA Youth Cup-winning side, was offered a one-year deal to stay at Old Trafford. However, he was released in 1993 and joined Darlington on a free transfer. Switzer played for Northern Premier League side Hyde United for six years while working other jobs to supplement his income, including working as an optical technician and a van man. Switzer eventually moved on from football and pursued a career outside of the sport.
John O’Kane: Overcoming Obstacles
John O’Kane faced stiff competition from Gary Neville, who burst into the first team and became the club’s first-choice right-back. After loan spells at Wimbledon, Bury, Wrexham, and Bradford, O’Kane was sold to Everton for £1 million. Unfortunately, he struggled to secure a place in the team under new manager Walter Smith and went on to play for Bolton, Blackpool, and Hyde before retiring in 2006. O’Kane now works in the care sector after being diagnosed with autism later in life.
Chris Casper: A Career Cut Short
Chris Casper was the captain of England’s U18 1993 European Championship-winning side and had high expectations. However, the defender struggled to break into the first team at Man Utd and played just twice before being sold to Reading in 1998. Casper’s career was tragically cut short by a severe double leg break on Boxing Day in 1999. He moved into coaching and became the manager of Bury for two years before being let go. Today, Casper is the Director of Football at Salford City, reunited with his Class of ’92 teammates.
Simon Davies: A Tough Challenge
As a winger in the 1990s, Simon Davies faced fierce competition from the likes of Lee Sharpe, Ryan Giggs, and Andrei Kanchelskis. Although he made 20 appearances for Man Utd and even scored a goal in a Champions League game against Galatasaray, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the first team. Davies retired in 2007 and became involved in coaching. He is currently the Academy Director at Tottenham Hotspur.
Colin McKee: Fed Up with Football
Colin McKee, a striker who was offered a contract by United, won the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award. However, he made just one appearance under Sir Alex Ferguson before being sold to Kilmarnock. McKee played for several clubs but grew disillusioned with the game after eight clubs in four seasons. He retired at the age of 27 and pursued a career as a maintenance man and a coach at Kilmarnock.
Lenny Taylor and Joe Roberts: Different Paths
Defender Lenny Taylor was released after the FA Youth Cup final win and struggled to find a new club. He ended up working in a metal coating factory and also did laboring for an electrical company. Joe Roberts, who contributed off the bench during the FA Youth Cup run, was released in 1994 without making a first-team appearance. Little is known about his post-football career.
While the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Gary Neville went on to achieve great success and become legends for Manchester United, the forgotten stars of the Class of ’92 faced various challenges and obstacles in their football careers. Some found success at lower-level clubs, while others pursued different paths outside of the game. Despite their different journeys, the Class of ’92 will always be remembered for their impact on Manchester United and their contributions to the beautiful game.