Ben Williamson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin "Ben" Williamson (born 25 December 1988) is an English
football striker who plays for League Two
side Port Vale
on loan from Conference North
side Hyde
.
He played for Worthing
in 2009, before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy
in Spain
the following year, where he had a spell with the academy's partner club, Jerez Industrial
. In 2011 he returned to England to join Bournemouth
, where he featured in the south-coast club's play-off semi final against Huddersfield Town
. He joined Port Vale on a season-long loan from Hyde
in June 2011.
, Williamson played youth football for Millwall
and Croydon Athletic
, before signing for Worthing
of the Isthmian League Division One South in August 2009. In November 2009, Williamson attended a four-week trial at the Glenn Hoddle Academy
. He was invited to the Academy partly by chance, as Academy scouts had been watching Worthing teammate Ross Treleaven when Williamson scored a hat-trick and unwittingly alerted them to his potential.
following the academy's takeover of the club. During the first half of the 2010–11 season
, he played twelve games for the club, scoring eight goals. After he left the club, Jerez struggled, and suffered relegation at the end of the season. Back at the Academy, Glenn Hoddle
focused on improving Williamson's technique, especially in his left foot.
club Bournemouth
on a deal lasting until the end of the season. He made his debut on 5 February, appearing as an injury time substitute in a 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient
. An ankle injury restricted him to just four further substitute appearances, including a brief appearance in the club's play-off semi-final draw with Huddersfield Town
, coming on in the last minute replacing Danny Ings
.
could not guarantee regular first team football. He joined Conference North
outfit Hyde
, but was loaned out to Micky Adams
' Port Vale
in League Two
on a season long loan.
He got off the mark with his first Football League goals on 17 September, as he 'displayed athleticism, composure, bravery and a poacher's instinct' to score with a lob and then a header in a 3–2 home defeat to Shrewsbury Town
. He made six starts and eight substitute appearances in the club's first fifteen games of the season. However he damaged his knee in a reserve game at Derby County
on 31 October, and was sidelined for several weeks.
said " Ben is a good striker, with a good eye for goal He has fantastic movement off the ball and the pace to take on any defender". After his arrival at Port Vale
, Vale manager Micky Adams
stated "Ben is a quick striker".
& Business studies
at the University of Brighton
.
|2009–10
||Worthing
||Isthmian League Division One South||?||14||?||0||?||0||?||14
|-
|-
|2010–11
||Jerez Industrial
||Tercera División
Group X||12||8||0||0||0||0||12||8
|-
|-
|2010–11
||Bournemouth
||League One
||4||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
|2011–12
||Hyde
||Conference North
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2011–12
||Port Vale
(loan)||League Two
||14||2||0||0||1||0||16||2
|-
18||2||0||0||1||0||21||2
30||10||0||0||1||0||33||10
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
football striker who plays for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
on loan from Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Hyde
Hyde F.C.
Hyde F.C. are an English semi-professional football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, who are nicknamed The Tigers. Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde F.C. in June 2010...
.
He played for Worthing
Worthing F.C.
Worthing Football Club are an English association football club based in Worthing, West Sussex, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South...
in 2009, before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy
Glenn Hoddle Academy
The Glenn Hoddle Academy was established in 2008, by former England international footballer Glenn Hoddle. Hoddle set the academy up in the memory of his brother, Carl, a former Tottenham Hotspur player who died aged 40....
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
the following year, where he had a spell with the academy's partner club, Jerez Industrial
Jerez Industrial CF
Jerez Industrial Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1950, it currently plays in Regional Preferente, holding home matches at Estadio La Juventud, with a capacity of 8,000 seats.In summer 2010, Jerez...
. In 2011 he returned to England to join Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, where he featured in the south-coast club's play-off semi final against Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. He joined Port Vale on a season-long loan from Hyde
Hyde F.C.
Hyde F.C. are an English semi-professional football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, who are nicknamed The Tigers. Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde F.C. in June 2010...
in June 2011.
Early career
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Williamson played youth football for Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
and Croydon Athletic
Croydon Athletic F.C.
Croydon Athletic F.C. are an English football club based in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, London, England. They currently play in the Isthmian League Division One South.-History:...
, before signing for Worthing
Worthing F.C.
Worthing Football Club are an English association football club based in Worthing, West Sussex, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South...
of the Isthmian League Division One South in August 2009. In November 2009, Williamson attended a four-week trial at the Glenn Hoddle Academy
Glenn Hoddle Academy
The Glenn Hoddle Academy was established in 2008, by former England international footballer Glenn Hoddle. Hoddle set the academy up in the memory of his brother, Carl, a former Tottenham Hotspur player who died aged 40....
. He was invited to the Academy partly by chance, as Academy scouts had been watching Worthing teammate Ross Treleaven when Williamson scored a hat-trick and unwittingly alerted them to his potential.
The Glenn Hoddle Academy
He signed a two year contract with the academy in the summer of 2010, and was selected to play for nearby Spanish side Jerez IndustrialJerez Industrial CF
Jerez Industrial Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1950, it currently plays in Regional Preferente, holding home matches at Estadio La Juventud, with a capacity of 8,000 seats.In summer 2010, Jerez...
following the academy's takeover of the club. During the first half of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Tercera División
The Spanish 2010–11 Tercera División started on 27 August 2010 and the season ended on 26 June 2011 with the promotion play-off finals.-League table:-Group I:-Group II:-Group III:-Group IV:-Group V:-Group VI:-Group VII:...
, he played twelve games for the club, scoring eight goals. After he left the club, Jerez struggled, and suffered relegation at the end of the season. Back at the Academy, Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
focused on improving Williamson's technique, especially in his left foot.
Bournemouth
On 31 January 2011, he joined League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
on a deal lasting until the end of the season. He made his debut on 5 February, appearing as an injury time substitute in a 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. An ankle injury restricted him to just four further substitute appearances, including a brief appearance in the club's play-off semi-final draw with Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, coming on in the last minute replacing Danny Ings
Danny Ings
Daniel William John "Danny" Ings is a professional English footballer who plays as a forward for Burnley.-Career:Ings signed an apprentice contract with Bournemouth in May 2008...
.
Hyde to Port Vale
In June 2011 he turned down a new deal at Bournemouth as manager Lee BradburyLee Bradbury
Lee Michael Bradbury is an English football manager and former footballer who made more than 500 appearances in the Football League. Since January 2011, he has been manager of Bournemouth.-Playing career:...
could not guarantee regular first team football. He joined Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
outfit Hyde
Hyde F.C.
Hyde F.C. are an English semi-professional football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, who are nicknamed The Tigers. Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde F.C. in June 2010...
, but was loaned out to Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
' Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
on a season long loan.
He got off the mark with his first Football League goals on 17 September, as he 'displayed athleticism, composure, bravery and a poacher's instinct' to score with a lob and then a header in a 3–2 home defeat to Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. He made six starts and eight substitute appearances in the club's first fifteen games of the season. However he damaged his knee in a reserve game at Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 31 October, and was sidelined for several weeks.
Style of play
Neil Duncanson, commercial director at Glenn Hoddle AcademyGlenn Hoddle Academy
The Glenn Hoddle Academy was established in 2008, by former England international footballer Glenn Hoddle. Hoddle set the academy up in the memory of his brother, Carl, a former Tottenham Hotspur player who died aged 40....
said " Ben is a good striker, with a good eye for goal He has fantastic movement off the ball and the pace to take on any defender". After his arrival at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, Vale manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
stated "Ben is a quick striker".
Personal life
Williamson studied MathematicsMathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
& Business studies
Business studies
Business studies is an academic subject taught at higher level in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, as well as at university level in many countries...
at the University of Brighton
University of Brighton
The University of Brighton is an English university of the United Kingdom, with a community of over 23,000 students and 2,600 staff based on campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. It has one of the best teaching quality ratings in the UK and a strong research record, factors which...
.
Statistics
|-|2009–10
2009–10 Isthmian League
The 2009–10 season was the 104th season of the Isthmian League Premier Division and the 4th season for the current incarnations of the Division One North and Division One South.-Premier Division:The Premier Division featured five new clubs:...
||Worthing
Worthing F.C.
Worthing Football Club are an English association football club based in Worthing, West Sussex, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South...
||Isthmian League Division One South||?||14||?||0||?||0||?||14
|-
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Tercera División
The Spanish 2010–11 Tercera División started on 27 August 2010 and the season ended on 26 June 2011 with the promotion play-off finals.-League table:-Group I:-Group II:-Group III:-Group IV:-Group V:-Group VI:-Group VII:...
||Jerez Industrial
Jerez Industrial CF
Jerez Industrial Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1950, it currently plays in Regional Preferente, holding home matches at Estadio La Juventud, with a capacity of 8,000 seats.In summer 2010, Jerez...
||Tercera División
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
Group X||12||8||0||0||0||0||12||8
|-
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 A.F.C. Bournemouth season
The 2010–11 A.F.C. Bournemouth season is the club's first season back in Football League One after a two year absence. During the 2010–11 English football season, Bournemouth will participate in League One, the Johnstones Paint Trophy, the FA Cup, and the Football League Cup...
||Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||4||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Football Conference
The 2011–12 Football Conference season will be the eighth season with the Conference consisting of three divisions and the thirty-third season overall. The Conference covers the top two levels of Non-League football in England. The Conference National is the fifth highest level of the overall...
||Hyde
Hyde F.C.
Hyde F.C. are an English semi-professional football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, who are nicknamed The Tigers. Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde F.C. in June 2010...
||Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2011–12 season is Port Vale's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League Two. It marked the start of Micky Adams' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
(loan)||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||14||2||0||0||1||0||16||2
|-
18||2||0||0||1||0||21||2
30||10||0||0||1||0||33||10
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
and play-off statistics included in totals column. - WorthingWorthing F.C.Worthing Football Club are an English association football club based in Worthing, West Sussex, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South...
appearances unavailable.
External links
- Profile at the official Port Vale site