Liam Manning was part of the Norwich City academy setup until the age of 14/15 when he played alongside the like of Lee Catchpole. The versatile defender / midfielder had also played youth football for Bungay Town and captained Suffolk. He was spotted by Ipswich scout Adrian Hunt at the age of 14 and eventually switched to the Portman Road academy, where he has progressed through the youth teams and has played for Ipswich's reserves.

Released by Ipswich in the spring of 2005, he trialled for Dagenham & Redbridge in July 2005, playing against Brentford. Instead, he signed for Conference South side Bishops Stortford. He later joined Ridgeons League side Long Melford but was soon released and joined their rivals Leiston. In November 2005, he switched again, joining Woodbridge.