Ben Coker

Ben Coker

Coker playing for Southend United in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Ben Coker[1]
Date of birth	17 June 1989[2]
Place of birth	Hatfield, England[2]
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Playing position	Defender/Winger
Club information
Current team	Southend United
Number	3
Youth career
2000–2005	Cambridge United
2005–2008	Northampton Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008	Histon	1	(0)
2008	Barton Rovers	2	(0)
2008	Ånge IF	?	(?)
2008–2010	Bury Town	66	(17)
2010–2013	Colchester United	41	(0)
2010	→ Chelmsford City (loan)	4	(0)
2012	→ Histon (loan)	5	(0)
2013	Histon	14	(0)
2013–	Southend United	131	(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:22, 21 May 2016 (UTC).

Ben Coker (born 17 June 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a defender or as a midfielder for Southend United.

Career

Coker joined Bury Town in October 2008 from fellow Southern League side Barton Rovers. He was previously with Conference side Histon. He impressed on his debut for Bury, earning the sponsors man of the match award.^[3] Coker helped the Suffolk club win promotion to the Isthmian League.^[4]

In summer 2010, Coker joined Colchester United after he impressed in a trial period at the end of 2009–10 season, having done well for non-league Bury Town during the 2009–10 campaign.^[5] On 30 September 2010, Coker joined Chelmsford City on loan for a month.^[6] The loan was extended by a further month and was given permission to play in an FA Cup tie against Hendon.^[7]

On 14 January 2011, Coker made his debut for Colchester against Bournemouth in a 2–1 victory, providing assists for both goals.^[8] He was awarded the Colchester United Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2010–11 season, his first with the club.^[9] On 15 May 2012, Coker signed a 12-month contract extension to see him through to summer 2013 with Colchester.^[10] On 12 October 2012, Coker was loaned to former club Histon on a month-long deal.^[11]

On 4 February 2013, Coker had his contract with Colchester cancelled by mutual consent having made only two first-team appearances in the 2012–13 season.^[12]

He returned to Histon permanently on 8 February 2013 following a loan spell earlier in the same season.^[13]

Ben played in three friendlies for Southend United prior to the 2013–14 season, he impressed in the games he played and was subsequently offered a contract by manager, Phil Brown.

On 16 April 2014, Coker signed a new two-year deal at Southend United, keeping him contracted until June 2016.^[14]

Personal life

Coker developed type 1 diabetes at age of 15.^[15]

Honours

Southend United

• Football League Two play-offs: 2014–15

Career statistics

As of 9 January 2013.

Club	Season	League^[A]		FA Cup		League Cup		Other^[B]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Histon	2008–09[16]	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Total	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Colchester United	2010–11[17]	20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	0
	2011–12[18]	20	0	2	1	1	0	0	0	23	1
	2012–13[19]	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
	Total	41	0	2	1	1	0	1	0	45	1
Chelmsford City (loan)	2010–11[20]	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
	Total	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Histon (loan)	2012–13[20]	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	Total	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Career totals		51	0	4	1	1	0	1	0	57	1

A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football Conference, the Football League and Conference South

B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League Trophy.

References

1. "Player profile – Ben Coker". Coludata.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
2. "FootballSquads – Colchester United – 2012/13". FootballSquads. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
3. "Ben Coker Bury Town Profile". Bury Town F.C. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
4. "Ex-builder Coker lays solid foundations at Colchester". BBC Sport. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
5. "Ben Coker Colchester United Profile". Colchester United F.C. 19 August 2010. Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
6. "Coker Heads to Chelmsford". Colchester United F.C. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
7. "Colchester's Ben Coker extends Chelmsford City spell". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
8. "Colchester 2–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
9. "Cokes Is Your Young Player of the Year". The U'sual. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
10. "Colchester United contracts for Wilson, Heath & Coker". BBC Sport. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
11. "Colchester United left-back Ben Coker join Histon on one-month loan". BBC Sport. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
12. "Coker the latest player to be released by U's". Colchester Gazette. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
13. "Stutes offer a fresh start to young Coker". Cambridge News online. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
14. "News:Ben Coker signs new contract". Southend United FC. 16 April 2014.
15. "The star footballer with an insulin pump in his kit bag: Ben Coker is an 'incredible inspiration' who doesn't let diabetes hold him back". 26 September 2015.
16. "Histon 2008/2009 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 January 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.
17. "Colchester 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 January 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.
18. "Colchester 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 January 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.
19. "Colchester 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 January 2013. Select season required via dropdown menu.
20. "England – B. Coker – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

External links

• Ben Coker career statistics at Soccerbase