Ben Davies
Davies playing for Shrewsbury Town in 2008
Personal information
Full name Benjamin James Davies[1]
Date of birth (1981-05-27) 27 May 1981
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Midfielder, Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Grimsby Town
(First team coach)
Youth career
1995–1999 Stoke City
1999–2000 Walsall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 Kidderminster Harriers 13 (0)
2002–2006 Chester City 155 (16)
2006–2009 Shrewsbury Town 115 (30)
2009–2011 Notts County 67 (20)
2011–2014 Derby County 75 (6)
2014 → Sheffield United (loan) 18 (3)
2014–2015 Sheffield United 14 (4)
2015–2016 Portsmouth 43 (1)
2016–2018 Grimsby Town 59 (3)
2018–2019 Boston United 36 (8)
2019–2020 Cleethorpes Town 22 (0)
2020–2021 Grimsby Town 0 (0)
Total 617 (91)
Managerial career
2020 Grimsby Town (caretaker)
2023 Grimsby Town (joint-caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Benjamin James Davies (born 27 May 1981) is an English football coach and former professional player who is a first team coach at EFL League Two club Grimsby Town.

As a player he was as a right back and midfielder playing between 2000 and 2021. Born in Birmingham, he began his career with Walsall before dropping into the Football Conference, playing for Kidderminster Harriers and Chester City. Moving back to the Football League he had spells with Shrewsbury Town, Notts County and Derby County before signing for Sheffield United, Portsmouth and Grimsby Town His career continued in non-league with a spells at Boston United and Cleethorpes Town. In 2019 he returned to Grimsby as a coach and briefly registered as a player again during 2020–21 season.

Career

Early career

Davies began his career with the youth system at Stoke City aged fifteen. He then joined Walsall in 1999 as part of their youth team. He had spells with Kidderminster Harriers and Chester City, where he won a Football Conference championship medal in 2004.[2] During his time at the Deva, he was made club captain.

Shrewsbury Town

Davies joined Shrewsbury Town two days before turning 25, making his club debut in the 2006–07 opener against Mansfield Town, which finished 2–2.[3] He scored in Shrewsbury's next three matches, going on to net a total of 12 times over the course of the season.[4]

After Davies helped Shrewsbury to seventh position in the league, he suffered an injury in the play-off semi-final against MK Dons,[5] which meant that he missed the 2007 Football League Two play-off final,[6] and was expected miss to the first half of the 2007–08 season.[7] Davies recovered faster than expected from his Achilles tendon injury, returning for the first team in late November.[8] He played an instrumental role in Shrewsbury's return to winning ways, scoring a stunning free kick and an excellent driven goal in a 4–0 win against Dagenham and Redbridge[9] and also scoring away against Accrington Stanley.[10] Following Stewart Drummond's departure in the January 2008 transfer window, Davies was installed as Shrewsbury's club captain.

He underwent a double hernia operation in November 2008, which kept him out for a month.[11] Having missed the 2007 final, Davies played the 2009 League Two play-off final, which Shrewsbury lost.[12] One of several key players out of contract at the end of the season, Shrewsbury did offer Davies a contract extension, however, Notts County offered him a deal which he felt gave him a greater chance at achieving his ambition to play at a higher level. As a result, Davies left Shrewsbury to join County.[13]

Notts County

Davies had a successful first season at League Two club Notts County during their 2009–10 campaign, playing an integral part in them winning the league.[14] He became the highest scoring midfielder in a single season in County's history as he scored 16 goals, alongside 20 assists, and won several awards, including Supporters player of the year, club player of the year and goal of the season, as well as being named in the PFA Team of the year.[15]

His form was such that in August 2010 he was subject to overtures from Championship club Derby County, with Derby boss Nigel Clough leaving a 2–1 defeat at Coventry City 5 minutes early left to watch the player.[16] Davies remained at County however, and in his first season at League One level hit 5 goals in 22 games, including two strikes in a 3–2 victory at Peterborough United, as well as numerous assist.[17] The form saw Derby retain their interest into the January 2011 transfer window, lodging several bids which were rejected,[18][19] Davies desire to play Championship football saw him hand in a transfer request, despite proclaiming "I absolutely love it here, I'm the happiest I have ever been in my career."[20] Finally, a bid from Derby in the region of £350k was accepted by County and the player completed a move on 20 January 2011, signing a 2+1⁄2-year deal to run until July 2013.[21]

Derby County

Davies made his full Derby County debut on 22 January 2011 in a 1–0 home defeat to fierce rivals Nottingham Forest.[22] Joining the club in a run of form which had seen just one win from their previous nine fixtures, Davies had to wait until his seventh appearance before tasting a victory at his new club; a 1–0 victory at relegation rivals Sheffield United. As the club itself struggled, so did Davies with the step up and, after starting in a 3–1 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers, Davies was dropped to the bench. Davies later admitted that he deserved to be dropped; "I'm not one to hide and my performances weren't good enough – I know that. I hold my hands up. I couldn't go knocking the manager's door down saying I deserved to be in the team because, based on my performances, I didn't."[23] Davies was eventually recalled to the starting line-up in April 2011, hitting the winner in a 2–1 victory over Leeds United, with an "unstoppable" 20-yard volley.[24] Despite this, Davies was unable to hold down a regular place for the remainder of the season.

After playing an active role in Derby's pre-season fixtures,[25][26] Davies found himself in the first team for the start of the 2011–12 season, playing every minute as Derby won their opening four fixtures for the first time in 106-years to find themselves in 2nd place in the early season table.[27] The fourth victory, 3–0 over Doncaster Rovers, saw Davies open his account for the season as well as provide assists for the other two goals.[27] Davies was rewarded with a place in the Championship Team of the Week,[28] something he repeated following his performance in a 3–0 win over Millwall, a game in which he created two of Derby's three goals.[29] The form of Davies dropped during November he was dropped from the starting 11 at the start of December, making only three substitute appearances until the start of March 2012, making an immediate impact as he set up a headed goal for Steve Davies within 2 minutes of coming on.[30] With Davies restored to the starting eleven, Derby manager Nigel Clough urged Davies take advantage of the injury of Jamie Ward, stating the quality Davies can offer from set pieces and crosses.[31] Davies was eventually credited with 11 assists during the 2011–12 season, 10 in the league and 1 in the League Cup.

In 2012–13, Davies lost his place as a regular member of the matchday squad and was restricted to limited substitute appearances and games as an overage player in Derby's under-21 team. Despite this Davies scored his first goal in 15 months in a 3–1 win against Leeds United Davies scoring in the stoppage time after being introduced in the 82nd minute of the game.[32] Davies hoped this goal help regain his place in starting line up at Derby after he turned down several loan moves due to personal issues after his ten-month-old son Evan had health issues and had an eye operation.[33] Davies began to feature more regularly for County after the turn of the year, and after impressing manager Nigel Clough with his performances in March and April, Davies was offered a new one-year contract at the end of April.[34]

2013–14 saw Davies restricted to the League Cup and two substitute appearances in the opening stages of the season. After the sacking of Nigel Clough at the end of September, Davies appeared just twice more as a substitute and following an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on 9 November 2013 he disappeared from the first team picture completely.[35]

Sheffield United

Davies eventually linked up with former manager Clough in February 2014 when he signed for Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season.[36] With United struggling with injuries, Davies was initially employed as a left-back and scored his first goal for the club from a free kick in a 2–0 home victory over Peterborough United at the start of March.[37] Davies played regularly for United for the remainder of the season, appearing in a number of positions, and finished the campaign having made 20 appearances for the Blades and scored three goals.[38] With his deal at Derby due to expire, United offered Davies a permanent contract in the summer of 2014,[39] a deal which he duly signed the following month.[40]

Davies was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2014–15 season.[41]

Portsmouth

Following a pre-season trial Davies signed a one-year deal with Portsmouth on 6 August 2015.[42] He scored his first goal for Portsmouth in a 6–0 win over York City on 24 November 2015.[43] His consistent performances led to Davies being awarded six different player-of-the-season trophies from supporter groups, the biggest haul of any player and finished runner-up to Michael Doyle who won The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season award.[44][45]

Davies left Portsmouth come the end of the 2015–16 season, this was due to both parties failing to agree terms, However he was keen for a two-year contract and an increase in salary.[45]

Grimsby Town

On 29 June 2016, Davies signed a one-year contract with newly promoted League Two club Grimsby Town on a free transfer.[46] He scored on his debut against Morecambe F.C. on Saturday 6 August 2016 with a free-kick to seal Grimsby's 2–0 win.[47] Davies picked up a calf injury on 8 October 2008 in a 0–0 draw at Exeter City,[48] this led to a two-month spell on the sidelines.[49]

Following the end of 2016–17, during which he made 25 league appearances and scored one goal,[50] Davies agreed a new one-year contract.[51] Davies turned down offers from other clubs down south to stay at Grimsby.[52] He was released by Grimsby at the end of the 2017–18 season.[53]

Boston United

On 24 August 2018, Davies joined National League North club Boston United.[54]

Cleethorpes Town

On 20 July 2019 it was confirmed that Davies had joined Cleethorpes Town.[55]

Coaching career

On 18 November 2019, Grimsby Town announced that Davies would be assisting interim manager, Anthony Limbrick and Dave Moore on a temporary basis.[56] Davies already worked for the club as an academy coach alongside his playing career at Cleethorpes Town. Davies eventually returned to Grimsby permanently and became First Team coach and U23 Manager under new manager Ian Holloway. In January 2020, Holloway hinted that Davies would be offered a playing contract as well,[57] although this wasn't made official until he was handed a squad number for the start of the 2020–21 season.[58]

Davies was placed in temporary charge of the Mariners when Ian Holloway resigned his position on 23 December 2020. In his managerial debut, Grimsby were beaten 3–1 at Morecambe.[59] In his second and final game as caretaker manager on 29 December 2020, The Mariners drew 0–0 with Oldham Athletic.[60] Davies reverted to his previous coaching role the following day as Grimsby appointed Paul Hurst as the new first team manager.[61]

On 29 October 2023, Davies and Shaun Pearson were appointed joint-caretaker managers following the dismissal of Paul Hurst and assistant manager Chris Doig.[62]

Personal life

Born in Birmingham, Davies supported Aston Villa as a child.[37]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 22 April 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kidderminster Harriers 2000–01[63] Third Division 30001000140
2001–02[64] Third Division 90001000100
Total 120002000140
Chester City 2002–03[65] Football Conference 312201000342
2003–04[66] Football Conference 355100000365
2004–05[67] League Two 44220102[lower-alpha 1]0492
2005–06[68] League Two 45740111[lower-alpha 1]0518
Total 1551690313017017
Shrewsbury Town 2006–07[69] League Two 431220105[lower-alpha 2]05112
2007–08[70] League Two 276000000276
2008–09[71] League Two 451200103[lower-alpha 1]14913
Total 1153020208112731
Notts County 2009–10[72] League Two 45156100005116
2010–11[73] League One 22531311[lower-alpha 1]1298
Total 67209231118024
Derby County 2010–11[73] Championship 131———131
2011–12[74] Championship 351001000361
2012–13[75] Championship 234211000265
2013–14[76] Championship 40—300070
Total 756215000827
Sheffield United (loan) 2013–14[76] League One 183200000203
Sheffield United 2014–15[77] League One 14410301[lower-alpha 1]0194
Total 327303010397
Portsmouth 2015–16[78] League Two 43150102[lower-alpha 3]0511
Total 431501020511
Grimsby Town 2016–17[50] League Two 251001000261
2017–18[79] League Two 34210101[lower-alpha 4]0372
Total 593102010633
Boston United 2018–19[80] National League North 36800—1[lower-alpha 5]0378
Career total 5659131321217266398
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ Three appearances in Football League Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs
  3. ↑ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  4. ↑ Appearance in EFL Trophy
  5. ↑ Appearance in FA Trophy

Honours

Chester City

Notts County

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2016 and 31/07/2016" (PDF). The Football Association. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 Powell, Dave (24 April 2014). "Chester 1–0 Scarborough (17.04.2004)". The Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Shrewsbury 2–2 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Notts County 1–1 Shrewsbury". Sky Sports. 8 August 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (18 May 2007). "MK Dons 1–2 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Bevan, Chris (26 May 2007). "Bristol Rovers 3–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  7. ↑ "Ben Out Till Christmas". Shrewsbury Town F.C. 8 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2007.
  8. ↑ "Rotherham 2–0 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  9. ↑ "Shrewsbury 4–0 Dagenham & Redbridge". BBC Sport. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  10. ↑ "Accrington 1–2 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 22 December 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  11. ↑ "Davies op big blow for Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  12. ↑ "Gillingham 1–0 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "Davies torn over Shrewsbury exit". BBC Sport. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  14. 1 2 Macaskill, Sandy (18 April 2010). "Notts County promoted to League One following victory against Morecambe". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  15. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 480. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  16. ↑ "Peterborough 2–3 Notts County". BBC Sport. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "Rams step up attempt to land Magpies midfield star". Derby Telegraph. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  18. ↑ "Magpies reject Davies offer". Team Talk. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  19. ↑ "No County for Old Ben". WellyPie Football. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  20. ↑ "Derby sign midfielder Davies". Derby County F.C. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  21. ↑ "Derby 0–1 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "Davies is ready to grab his second chance". Derby Telegraph. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  23. ↑ "Ben's relief as he opens account with super strike". Derby Telegraph. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  24. ↑ "Burton Albion 1–3 Derby County". Derby County F.C. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  25. ↑ "Derby County 2–0 Aston Villa". Derby County F.C. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  26. 1 2 "Ben Davies delight at Derby County start". BBC Sport. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  27. ↑ "Super Ben Named In 'Team of the Week'". Derby County F.C. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  28. ↑ "Trio rewarded with Team of the Week spots". Derby County F.C. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  29. ↑ "Birmingham 2–2 Derby". BBC Sport. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  30. ↑ "Ben Davies must take Derby County chance – Nigel Clough". BBC Sport. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  31. ↑ Watson, Chris (10 December 2012). "Ben Davies' super strike serves as reminder to Derby County manager Nigel Clough". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  32. ↑ "Davies hoping strike can help revive Rams career". Burton Mail. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  33. ↑ Green, Peter (29 April 2013). "Midfielder Ben Davies is offered a new contract by Derby County". Derby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  34. ↑ "Derby 3–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  35. ↑ "Loan signing confirmed". Sheffield United F.C. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  36. 1 2 "The dream becomes reality for Davies". The Sheffield Star. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  38. ↑ Shield, James (17 May 2014). "Blades make headway in the market". The Sheffield Star. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  39. ↑ "Ben Davies and Chris Porter sign Sheffield United deals". BBC Sport. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  40. ↑ "Sheffield United release midfielder". BBC Sport. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  41. ↑ Allen, Neil (6 August 2015). "Pompey complete Davies signing". The Portsmouth News. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  42. ↑ "Portsmouth 6–0 York". BBC Sport. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  43. ↑ "Skipper wins top prize". Portsmouth F.C. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  44. 1 2 Allen, Neil (22 June 2016). "Why Ben Davies will be a massive Pompey loss". The Portsmouth News. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  45. ↑ Sport Team (29 June 2016). "Ben Davies joins Mariners". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  46. ↑ "Grimsby 2–0 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  47. ↑ "Exeter 0–0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  48. ↑ Wood, Liam (13 December 2016). "Grimsby Town's Ben Davies on coming through toughest period of his career". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  49. 1 2 "Games played by Ben Davies in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  50. ↑ Findlater, James (29 May 2017). "Ben Davies staying at Grimsby Town after signing new one-year contract". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  51. ↑ Findlater, James (30 May 2017). "Grimsby Town's Ben Davies turned down offers from other clubs to stay". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  52. ↑ "James McKeown: Grimsby Town offer new deal to goalkeeper and release 11". BBC Sport. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  53. ↑ https://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/sport/football/boston-united/davies-joins-boston-united-1-8613778/amp
  54. ↑ Cleethorpes Town sign former Derby County man Ben Davies, nonleaguedaily.com, 20 July 2019
  55. ↑ Davies Assisting First Team Coaching Staff, grimsby-townfc.co.uk, 18 November 2019
  56. ↑ "Ben Davies set for playing return with Grimsby Town". Grimsbylive. 30 January 2020 – via grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
  57. ↑ "Grimsby Town full squad numbers ahead of new League Two season". Grimsbylive. 8 September 2020 – via grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
  58. ↑ "Ben Davies reflects on 'tough week' after Grimsby Town defeat". Grimsbylive. 26 December 2020 – via grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
  59. ↑ "Ben Davies laments lack of quality as Grimsby draw with Oldham". Press Association. 29 December 2020.
  60. ↑ "Grimsby re-appoint Paul Hurst to replace Ian Holloway as manager". Sky Sports.
  61. ↑ "The Club can confirm that whilst it searches for a Head Coach, Ben Davies and Shaun Pearson, supported by the wider First Team staff group, will take interim charge". facebook.com. Grimsby Town FC. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  62. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  72. 1 2 "Games played by Ben Davies in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  73. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  74. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  75. 1 2 "Games played by Ben Davies in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  76. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  77. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  78. ↑ "Games played by Ben Davies in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  79. ↑ Ben Davies at Soccerway. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  80. ↑ "League Two Team of Year". Sky Sports. 26 April 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  81. ↑ "Super Ben Receives Award". Notts County F.C. 14 October 2010. Archived from the original on 16 October 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
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