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Jamie Cassidy had the footballing world at his ft and was dwelling each soccer fan’s dream – right now he was jailed for 13 years for operating a cocaine empire.
On the age of 15, the Merseyside prodigy who performed alongside Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher was England’s prime scorer for the England under-16 group.
Whereas by no means in the identical prison method, the England group with him on the European under-15 championships in 1993 additionally failed to succeed in the heights anticipated of them.
One was tragically killed in a automobile crash however the remainder failed to totally make the grade at senior stage for his or her nation, aside from Ipswich City legend Richard Wright.
Solely a handful grew to become Premier League regulars with the remainder taking part in at a decrease stage or dropping out {of professional} soccer utterly. Some grew to become physios others went into banking and building. One is a senior clerk in a barristers’ chambers.
Earlier than he turned to crime, attacking midfielder Cassidy was additionally a part of a Liverpool group that gained the membership’s first FA Youth Cup with a 4-1 win over two legs towards a West Ham group that includes Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.
However after getting injured he grew to become higher referred to as ‘the Nuclear-Canine’ – the nickname he gave himself as he directed group of sellers to promote cocaine and plotted to convey tens of millions of kilos of Class A medicine to the UK from South America.
As he faces 13 years behind bars, his life in jail is a world away from the place he stood 20 years in the past.
Smiling on the digicam, chest puffed out in his England shirt, there was no clue then that he would go from a younger expertise with seemingly boundless potential to a harmful drug vendor.
Under, MailOnline appears at what grew to become of the forgotten ‘Class of 93’, together with its fallen star Jamie Cassidy.
The squad is (left to proper) again row: 1 – Marlon Broomes (Blackburn Rovers), 2 – Michael Millett (died in a automobile crash), 3 – Stephen Clemence (250 Premier League appearances), 4 – David Hilton (Man Utd teen), 5 – James Dungey (conceded ‘one among soccer’s biggest targets), 6 – Andrew Duncan (Cambridge United), 7 – Richard Wright (Ipswich goalkeeper), 8 – Paul Teather (grew to become a physiotherapist), 9 – Andrew Fotiadis (8 years at Luton). Entrance row: 10 – Emmanuel Omoyinmi (Oxford United), 11 – Jamie Cassidy (convicted drug vendor), 12 – Andrew Ducros (the ‘usually forgotten legend), 13 – John Curtis (Man Utd), 14 – Lee Hodges (Scunthorpe), 15 – Jamie Kyte, 16 – Leon Bell (semi-pro)
Hero to zero: Jamie Cassidy, second left, is awaiting sentencing for drug smuggling. He is seen with his teammates David Thompson, Michael Owen (and Jamie Carragher in 1996
Cassidy in a mug shot launched right now following his sentencing for drug trafficking
1. Marlon Broomes
Additionally within the photograph is Marlon Broomes, who started his skilled profession at Blackburn Rovers and was a part of the squad that gained the league title within the 1994-5 season. He performed for the aspect till 2001 and is pictured in 2023
Centre again Marlon was seen as one of many nice hopes of the group however by no means actually made it huge.
He was a part of the Blackburn squad of 1994/95 who gained the Premier League however he by no means performed once more.
Over seven years at Ewood Park he performed 31 video games earlier than transferring to Sheffield Wednesday and Preston.
Now 46, he completed his profession at Altrincham. He’s now a soccer advisor his son, additionally a defender, is a part of Manchester Metropolis’s academy.
2. Michael Millett
Michael Millett (proper) tragically died in a automobile crash in 1994
Tragically, one among their quantity, Michael Millett, would go on to lose his life inside a 12 months of the group photograph being taken.
A proficient teen who may play in defence or midfield, he performed three league video games and one League Cup for Wigan Athletic.
Then, on September 21, 1995, he was killed in a automobile crash close to Garswood on Merseyside.
It was simply sooner or later earlier than his 18th birthday.
3. Stephen Clemence
His 1993 teammate Stephen Clemence made his Premier League debut for Tottenham towards Man Utd in 1997. He’s now head coach of Gillingham
Stephen Clemence, son of England legend Ray, made it from youth soccer into the Premier League with a debut for Tottenham towards Man Utd in 1997, earlier than showing for Birmingham and Leicester.
He then adopted the well-trodden path into administration and is now head coach of Gillingham.
4. David Hilton
The England left-sided participant was being chased by a lot of the prime golf equipment within the nation however plumped for Alex Fergusons’s Manchester United.
He was praised by one journalist whereas a schoolboy for his ‘wholesome urge for food for raiding down the wing’
He would by no means play for the Crimson Devils and made one look for Darlington – a late substitute in a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United in Division Three.
5. James Dungey
James Dungey went into banking, working for HSBC within the Midlands
He was most well-known for a purpose he conceded.
He was Plymouth’s No1 when his reverse quantity, Jimmy Glass, slammed his method into historical past on Might 8, 1999.
Glass scored within the final minute to maintain Carlisle United within the soccer league.
6. Andrew Duncan
Andy Duncan was a centre again for Man United – however by no means performed for the primary group.
He joined Cambridge United in 1998 for £20,000 and have become a legend for the membership, taking part in 328 occasions and scoring 11 targets.
7. Richard Wright
Richard Wright was the one participant to play for the England first group
Ipswich City legend Richard Wright was billed as one of many nice goalkeeping abilities for a few years, however he would solely ever acquire two full caps for England.
He was a hero for his native membership in Suffolk however moved to Arsenal as a rival for David Seaman – however he by no means hit the heights anticipated.
He performed for Everton, Sheffield United and in addition two extra spells at Ipswich.
He later moved to Manchester Metropolis the place he remained on the books of Manchester Metropolis for 4 years, however by no means made a first-team look. He then stayed on as a coach.
8. Paul Teather
Man Utd and Bournemouth defender Paul Teather now works as a physiotherapist.
He start his profession as an apprentice with United and turned skilled in 1996. He remained at Previous Trafford till being launched on a free switch in 2001 – however by no means performed for the group.
He completed his profession at Northwich Victoria.
9. Andrew Fotiadis
Hitchin-born Andy Fotiadis began his profession with Luton City, making greater than 100 appearances for the membership.
He then moved to close by Peterborough and to Heybridge Swifts in East Anglia.
10. Emmanuel Omoyinmi
Omoyinmi joined West Ham United as a trainee in Might 1995.
He performed round a dozen video games for the Hammers and later performed for at the very least 11 different golf equipment in England and Scotland, notably Bournemouth and Leyton Orient.
Emmanuel would later end his profession on the south coast with Worthing.
11 – Jamie Cassidy
Jamie Cassidy celebrating profitable the FA Youth Cup in 1994. He was half the Liverpool squad that gained the membership’s first FA Youth Cup with a 4-1 win over two legs towards a famously good West Ham group, that includes Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard
Cassidy was arrested within the wake of the regulation enforcement infiltration of EncroChat, an encrypted communications system favoured by organised criminals
Aged 15, he was England’s main purpose scorer – even netting three within the European Championships in 1994 – and profitable a spot on the FA College of Excellence at Lilleshall.
Right now he was jailed for 13 years.
Cassidy, whose username was Nuclear-Canine, directed a group of drug sellers who offered the cocaine to purchasers in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Glasgow.
He additionally oversaw the gathering of money and acted as his brother’s ‘bookkeeper’.
The operation was uncovered when EncroChat was cracked by the French intelligence service and messages in regards to the March and April consignments had been revealed.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC mentioned Cassidy performed a ‘managerial position,’ receiving a wage from the ‘enterprise’ which was run by his older brother, Jonathan, 50, and his affiliate Nasar Ahmed, 51.
Jonathan Cassidy, a former builder, and Ahmed each pleaded responsible to conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of managed medication, in addition to conspiracy to produce Class A medicine and conspiracy to switch prison property.
In mitigation, Paul Greaney KC, for Jamie Cassidy, mentioned his shopper was paid a wage for his position and didn’t share within the proceeds from the sale of the medication.
‘He was appearing underneath a big diploma of management with solely a restricted diploma of autonomy,’ the barrister mentioned.
Outlining his shopper’s fall from grace, Mr Greaney advised the court docket: ‘Jamie Cassidy was a footballer of remarkable expertise and promise. He was signed by Liverpool on the age of 9. With Jamie Carragher he was awarded one among 16 locations on the FA Centre of Excellence.
‘On the age of 15, he was the main scorer for the England underneath 16 group within the 93/94 season with six targets together with three within the European under-16 championships.
‘Within the following season he was the highest scorer for the England underneath 16-team.
‘He was part of the Liverpool group which gained the FA Youth Cup alongside Jamies Carragher and Michael Owen. He then broke into the primary group making a lot of appearances however accidents wrecked his profession.’ In his 2008 autobiography Carragher, who is 2 months youthful than Cassidy, mentioned his youth teammate would have been a ‘sure Liverpool common,’ however for accidents.
12. Andrew Ducros
Andrew Ducros performed for Coventry Metropolis 10 occasions, together with within the Premier League.
However like lots of his teammates he by no means went on to greater issues.
He went to Nuneaton Borough and Kidderminster Harriers.
Most not too long ago he performed for Evesham United.
13. John Curtis
John Curtis of Manchester United in motion through the FA Carling Premiership match towards Barnsley in 1997
Defender John Curtis did break into the Manchester United group – taking part in 14 occasions for the membership.
He then performed for different huge soccer league golf equipment together with Blackburn, Barnsley, Sheffield United and QPR.
John would would end his profession in Australia. He now runs an elite teaching enterprise in the USA.
14. Lee Hodges
Lee Hodges solely performed 3 times for West Ham and after a sequence of mortgage strikes, together with to Ipswich, he settled at Scunthorpe United making greater than 100 appearances for the Lincolnshire membership.
He performed for greater than 25 years, most not too long ago for Herongate Athletic close to Billericay.
15. Jamie Kyte
Jamie performed for Charlton Athletic however moved away from soccer.
He’s now a senior clerk in a barristers’ chambers.
16. Leon Bell
Leon Bell performed for Ipswich City as a schoolboy however by no means performed for the primary group.
He was launched and went to Cambridge United after which Chelmsford Metropolis. He later performed for Woodbridge City in his native Suffolk.
How a Liverpool prodigy as soon as picked over Steven Gerrard swamped Britain’s streets with cocaine: Contained in the dramatic rise and fall of ‘sure future worldwide’ Jamie Cassidy who turned to organised crime when damage left his soccer profession in tatters
By Cameron Roy
It’s an academy famed for producing a few of England’s most proficient gamers of current occasions.
Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and, extra not too long ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold are among the many stellar names to have graduated by means of Liverpool’s youth system, earlier than occurring to change into international superstars.
To not point out, after all, the jewel within the crown, Steven Gerrard – argued by some as being the best participant to ever pull on the membership shirt.
However even Gerrard was as soon as working within the shadow of Jamie Cassidy – {the teenager} picked forward of the longer term England captain for the FA’s centre of excellence, and regarded by many essentially the most prestigious expertise of all.
On the age of 15, Cassidy was the main scorer for the England under-16 group within the 1993-94 season with six targets, together with three within the European under-16 championships.
Cassidy alongside fellow youth group star Jamie Carragher
A couple of years later he, alongside teammates Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen, was a key participant of the Liverpool group that gained the membership’s first FA Youth Cup with a 4-1 win over two legs towards a famously good West Ham group, that includes Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.
Photos from the day present Cassidy’s face beaming with pleasure as he held the trophy aloft at Anfield.
A primary-team contract was swiftly supplied by Liverpool and signed.
The supervisor of the England senior group Glenn Hoddle was so impressed with what he noticed he invited Cassidy to spend time with the squad earlier than one match as a result of he was positive he could be a future worldwide.
However regardless of the excessive hopes from his household, associates, managers and soccer followers – Cassidy would by no means play a match for Liverpool.
He could be launched by the membership in 1999 on the age of 21, earlier than taking part in just a few video games for Cambridge United, then drifting into non-league soccer.
Cassidy’s life took a unique path. This week, now 46, he has been jailed for being concerned in an industrial scale importation of cocaine from South America to Europe.
He labored alongside his elder brother Jonathan, 50, a former builder who headed the operation that for a number of years noticed common shipments of cocaine to Amsterdam from cartels in South America.
Regardless of being a star of Liverpool and England’s youth group, Cassidy by no means performed a recreation for the membership
The younger star additionally attracted consideration from England supervisor Glenn Hoddle
Cassidy’s former teammates Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher would go on to have glittering careers in soccer
Jamie Cassidy pictured together with his Cambridge United teammates. After taking part in eight video games for the membership he drifted into non-league soccer
From the Netherlands the medication could be hidden in modified automobiles and dropped at Liverpool, the place Jamie would distribute it to associates throughout England and Scotland.
The multimillion-pound enterprise concerned a cash laundering operation and the brothers invested in a number of items of property and land in Liverpool.
Jonathan has one giant space of land, close to Jamie’s residence, with sufficient water in it he was planning on turning right into a fishing lake, in keeping with The Occasions.
As an alternative of the glittering soccer profession that his associates and teammates loved, Cassidy is taking a look at a protracted jail sentence.
Regardless of becoming a member of the Liverpool Academy aged 12, his profession started to take a downward flip after a sequence of accidents.
A severe knee and leg damage robbed him of his tempo and left him struggling as he matured.
Jamie Carragher, who grew to become a Liverpool defensive legend with 508 first-team appearances from 1996 to 2013 is simply two months youthful than Jamie.
The supervisor of the England senior group Glenn Hoddle was so impressed with what he noticed he invited Cassidy to spend time with the squad earlier than one match as a result of he was positive he could be a future worldwide
As an alternative of the glittering soccer profession that his associates and teammates loved, Cassidy will now be spending years behind bars
In his 2008 autobiography Carragher mentioned Cassidy would have been a ‘would have been a sure Liverpool common if he hadn’t suffered a lot with accidents’
The spectacular fall from grace is believed to have devastated Cassidy
Gerrard additionally mentions Cassidy in his 2006 autobiography, mentioning his ‘pure high quality’ banter and expressing jealousy at his alternatives to coach on the Liverpool coaching centre as a teen
In his 2008 autobiography he mentioned Cassidy would have been a ‘would have been a sure Liverpool common if he hadn’t suffered a lot with accidents’.
Gerrard additionally mentions Cassidy in his 2006 autobiography, mentioning his ‘pure high quality’ banter and expressing jealousy at his alternatives to coach on the Liverpool coaching centre as a teen.
However Cassidy is much from the one promising younger footballer to have a profession lower brief resulting from accidents.
Nonetheless with a possible promise so enormous from himself and people round him, the spectacular fall is believed to have devastated him.
Manchester Crown Courtroom will hear on Wednesday how he turned his aggressive drive right into a prison empire.
He was arrested within the wake of the regulation enforcement infiltration of EncroChat, an encrypted communications system favoured by organised criminals.
Steven Gerrard would go on to carry the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2005
Carragher has now change into a profitable Sky Sports activities pundit. Pictured in April 2020
The top-to-end cellphone community code was cracked by the French intelligence providers in the summertime of 2020, and the knowledge was handed to the UK’s Nationwide Crime Company.
It led to the invention that Cassidy, alongside together with his brother Jonathan and their enterprise associate, Nasar Ahmed, had been working undetected for years.
Authorities found in six weeks alone Jonathan organised offers of 356kg of South American cocaine to come back to Amsterdam – price £28 million in UK avenue worth.
The subtle operation concerned the skilled motion of cash world wide – undetected by the authorities.
Jamie was finally arrested in October 2020 on the airport after getting back from Dubai.
In his home the police discovered a black machete, an encrypted phone and a Better Manchester police case abstract of the operation that will result in the gang members’ arrest.
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