TOUGHER THATCHER?

Remember Ben Thatcher? The Manchester City player tried hard to take the "Crown" from Margaret Thatcher as the "Toughest Thatcher in Town"! when on this date in 2006, he threw his "iron" elbow at Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes, leaving him out cold and in need of Oxygen treatment and then hospital. After the Welsh international was only given a "yellow card" for this blatant attack on Mendes, Pompey manager, Harry Redknapp pondered, "What do you need to do to get a Red Card? Kill somebody?" The FA typically, did see sense in the end and gave Harry an eight (yes 8) match ban! 

The details were; Whilst challenging with Pedro Mendes for a loose ball, Thatcher viciously, led with his elbow, knocking Mendes into the advertising hoardings, rendering him unconscious. Mendes required oxygen at pitchside and suffered a seizure while being transferred to hospital, where he spent the night. Mendes was discharged from hospital the next day, but remained under medical supervision. 

Thatcher was not sent off by referee Dermot Gallagher, but given just a yellow card. He was investigated by the FA as a result of the challenge and disciplined. His barrister, Rupert Bowers KC, read a written apology following the hearing. Greater Manchester Police noted receipt of many "statements of complaint" and also chose to investigate the matter. 

On 30 August, Manchester City announced that Thatcher would be banned for six matches, two of which would be suspended, and fined six weeks' wages for the challenge. This punishment is separate from the sanctions made by the FA, who suspended Thatcher for eight matches, with a further fifteen game suspended ban for two years. Mendes shook hands with Thatcher pre-match when they next faced one another in January 2007, despite claiming beforehand that he would not do so. Thatcher also faced possible action from Lancashire over a clash with ex-Blackburn Rovers player Ralph Welch during a reserve game at Ewood Park in February 2006.

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1992–1996	Millwall	90	(1)
1996–2000	Wimbledon	86	(0)
2000–2003	Tottenham Hotspur	36	(0)
2003–2004	Leicester City	29	(1)
2004–2007	Manchester City	47	(0)
2007–2008	Charlton Athletic	22	(0)
2008–2010	Ipswich Town	20	(0)
Total		330	(2)
International career
1995–1997	England U21	4	(0)
2004–2005	Wales	7	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals