{"id":294594,"date":"2023-11-08T10:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T10:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=294594"},"modified":"2023-11-08T10:54:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T10:54:00","slug":"forgotten-prem-star-drops-to-eighth-tier-and-ex-man-city-ace-is-his-new-boss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/forgotten-prem-star-drops-to-eighth-tier-and-ex-man-city-ace-is-his-new-boss\/","title":{"rendered":"Forgotten Prem star drops to eighth tier \u2013 and ex-Man City ace is his new boss"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Former Burnley and Aston Villa defender Matt Lowton has joined the eighth tier of English football after finally ending his search for a new club.<\/p>\n

    The 34-year-old was playing in the Premier League last year, but is now set to turn out for Northern Premier League club Witton Albion, who play their football at the fabulously-named U Lock It Stadium – which used to be known as the Bargain Booze Stadium. Oh, non-league football.<\/p>\n

    Lowton, who played more than 230 times in the top flight, isn't the only former Premier League star at Witton. The Albs, as they're known, are managed by ex-Manchester City ace Jon Macken, who has been in charge at the club since 2022.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Non-league manager calls own players 'bunch of losers' in sensational interview<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Ten forgotten Premier League stars who now play in obscure leagues \u2013 including Man Utd icon<\/b><\/p>\n

    Lowton began his career at Sheffield United after emerging from the Blades' academy in 2008. He was then loaned out to neighbours Sheffield FC and Hungarian giants Ferencvaros before sealing a \u00a33million switch to Aston Villa in 2012. <\/p>\n

    After three seasons at Villa Park he moved to Burnley, who were in the Championship at the time. The Clarets sealed promotion to the Premier League in Lowton's first season and he quickly established himself as one of Sean Dyche's most reliable players.<\/p>\n

    Which current Premier League star could you see playing in the eighth tier in a year's time? Let us know in the comments section below.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    \u00a322 a month<\/p>\n

    He racked up over 200 appearances for Burnley but was released at the end of the 2022\/23 campaign following half-a-season on loan at Huddersfield, where he played just eight times. He then had trials at the likes of Birmingham and Stockport, but didn't impress enough to be offered a contract.<\/p>\n

    Macken, meanwhile, spent three years at Man City, and also played for Crystal Palace, Preston and made one appearance for Ireland's national team. He hung up his boots in 2015 and turned to coaching, initially managing Lancashire outfit Radcliffe Borough before moving on to neighbours Colne, and later to Witton.<\/p>\n