{{short description|English footballer (born 1998)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use British English|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ben Liddle | image = | caption = | fullname = Ben George Liddle<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2018-19.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2019 |publisher=English Football League |page=19 |accessdate=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418031824/https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2018-19.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2020}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|21|df=y}}<ref name="11v11"/> | birth_place = Durham, England | height = {{convert|1.70|m|ftin|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/ben-liddle/ |title=Ben Liddle |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419131244/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/ben-liddle/ |archive-date=19 April 2022}}</ref> | position = Central midfielder | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2016 | youthclubs1 = Middlesbrough | years1 = 2016–2020 | clubs1 = Middlesbrough | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2018 | clubs2 = → Blyth Spartans (loan) | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2019 | clubs3 = → Forest Green Rovers (loan) | caps3 = 2 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2020 | clubs4 = → Scunthorpe United (loan) | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2020–2022 | clubs5 = Bristol Rovers | caps5 = 3 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2021–2022 | clubs6 = → Queen of the South (loan) | caps6 = 17 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2022–2024 | clubs7 = Darlington | caps7 = 61 | goals7 = 7 | club-update = 10:00, 22 April 2024 (UTC) }}
'''Ben George Liddle''' (born 21 September 1998) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He previous played in the Football League for Middlesbrough, Forest Green Rovers, Scunthorpe United and Bristol Rovers, in the Scottish Championship for Queen of the South, and in non-league football for Blyth Spartans and Darlington.
==Personal life== Liddle was born in 1998 in Durham.<ref name="11v11">{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/ben-liddle-254149/ |title=Ben Liddle |website=11v11.com |publisher=Association of Football Statisticians |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> He is the son of Craig Liddle, who played as a centre back for Middlesbrough and Darlington.<ref name="Signs Darlo"/>
==Club career== ===Middlesbrough=== Liddle signed his first professional contract with Middlesbrough in the summer of 2016.<ref name="11v11"/> Liddle appeared in the EFL Trophy for the Middlesbrough U23 side in both the 2017–18 and the 2018–19 competitions, featuring in all three group matches in each. He made his Championship debut for Middlesbrough on 30 November 2019, replacing Lewis Wing in the 70th minute of a 4–0 defeat at Leeds United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50526515|title=Leeds United 4–0 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2019|accessdate=9 October 2020}}</ref> He made his first start for the club on 14 January 2020, playing 57 minutes of a 2–1 defeat away at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tottenham-vs-middlesbrough-team-news-17568313 |title=Tottenham vs Middlesbrough team news: Ben Liddle handed first start as Woodgate makes 5 changes |first=Anthony |last=Vickers |website=Gazette Live |date=14 January 2020 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> This proved to be his last game for the club.<ref name="sb1920"/>
====Blyth Spartans (loan)==== On 22 March 2018, he joined National League North side Blyth Spartans on loan until the end of the season.<ref name="Blyth Spartans Loan">{{cite web |url=http://www.blythspartans.com/spartans-complete-double-signing-of-carl-lawson-and-ben-liddle |title=Spartans complete double signing of Carl Lawson and Ben Liddle |publisher=Blyth Spartans AFC |date=22 March 2018 |accessdate=17 January 2019}}</ref>
====Forest Green Rovers (loan)==== Liddle joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers on 31 January 2019 on loan until the end of the season.<ref name="Forest Green Loan">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47082110 |title=Ben Liddle: Forest Green Rovers sign Middlesbrough midfielder on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2019 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> He made his debut on 12 February 2019, coming on as a substitute for Lloyd James in a 2–0 loss to Swindon Town at the County Ground.<ref name="Forest Green Debut">{{cite news |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/17427762.swindon-2-0-forest-green---back-to-back-defeats-rovers/ |title=Swindon 2–0 Forest Green – Back-to-back defeats for Rovers |newspaper=Stroud News and Journal |date=12 February 2019 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref>
====Scunthorpe United (loan)==== On 31 January 2020, Liddle joined another League Two club, Scunthorpe United, on loan until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2020/january/iron-sign-ben-liddle-on-loan/ |title=Iron sign Ben Liddle on loan |publisher=Scunthorpe United F.C. |date=31 January 2020 |accessdate=19 August 2022}}</ref> The following day he made his debut in the starting eleven away to Crawley Town, but was replaced at half-time with the score 3–0 to the hosts; the match ended 3–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51246381 |title=Crawley Town 3–1 Scunthorpe United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2020 |accessdate=9 October 2020}}</ref> Liddle made another three appearances before the season was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic.<ref name="sb1920"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52679614 |title=League Two clubs vote to end season, but League One teams fail to decide |first1=Dan |last1=Roan |first2=Simon |last2=Stone |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2020 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref>
===Bristol Rovers=== On 8 October 2020, Liddle joined Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/archive-news/2020/october/ben-liddle-middlesborough-rovers-boro-signs/ |title=The Gas complete the signing of Ben Liddle! |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |date=8 October 2020 |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref> He made his debut on 7 November, coming on in the 73rd minute of a 2–1 FA Cup victory over Walsall.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/walsall-bristol-rovers-live-facup-4679344 |title=Walsall 1–2 Bristol Rovers: As it happened |first=Sam |last=Frost |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> On 6 February 2021, Liddle made his league debut, and fourth appearance in all competitions, as he started before being replaced in the 65th minute of a 0–0 draw with Fleetwood Town.<ref name="sb2021"/>
He made one appearance in the 2021–22 EFL Cup before joining Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on a season-long loan.<ref name="sb2122"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qosfc.com/news-5513 |title=Welcome – Ben Liddle |publisher=Queen of the South F.C. |date=27 August 2021 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> He made 19 appearances in all competitions, and scored his first senior goal, opening the scoring in a 3–3 draw away to Raith Rovers,<ref name="sb2122"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/queen-south-boss-hails-side-26119276 |title=Queen of the South boss hails side for fighting back for a point against Raith Rovers |newspaper=Dumfries and Galloway Standard |date=4 February 2022 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> before returning to Bristol Rovers, who released him when his contract expired at the end of the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2022/may/club-announces-released-list/ |title=Club announces released list |publisher=Bristol Rovers F.C. |date=19 May 2022 |accessdate=20 May 2022}}</ref>
===Darlington=== Having been without a club since leaving Bristol Rovers, Liddle signed for National League North club Darlington on 18 August 2022.<ref name="Signs Darlo">{{cite news |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20672499.darlington-sign-former-middlesbrough-youngster-ben-liddle/ |title=Darlington sign former Middlesbrough youngster Ben Liddle |first=Craig |last=Stoddart |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=18 August 2022 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> He finished the season with six goals from 34 league appearances.<ref name=Soccerway/> He left the club when his contract expired at the end of the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/thanks-ben |title=Thanks, Ben |first=Ray |last=Simpson |publisher=Darlington F.C. |date=21 April 2024 |access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|<!-- match played -->end of 2023–24 season}}
{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|Middlesbrough U21 |2017–18<ref name="sb1718"/> |colspan=1|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy|name=EFLT}}||0||3||0 |- |2018–19<ref name="sb1819"/> |colspan=1|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total |colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6||0||6||0 |- |rowspan=5|Middlesbrough |2017–18<ref name="sb1718">{{soccerbase season|97121|2017|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2018–19<ref name="sb1819"/> |Championship||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2019–20<ref name="sb1920"/> |Championship||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2||0 |- |2020–21<ref name="sb2021"/> |Championship||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !1!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0 |- |Blyth Spartans (loan) |2017–18<ref name="Soccerway"/> |National League North |2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2||0 |- |Forest Green Rovers (loan) |2018–19<ref name="sb1819">{{soccerbase season|97121|2018|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> |League Two |2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||2||0 |- |Scunthorpe United (loan) |2019–20<ref name="sb1920">{{soccerbase season|97121|2019|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> |League Two |4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0 |- |rowspan=3|Bristol Rovers |2020–21<ref name="sb2021">{{soccerbase season|97121|2020|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> |League One |3||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||6||0 |- |2021–22<ref name="sb2122"/> |League Two |0||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||0||0||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !3!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!7!!0 |- |Queen of the South (loan) |2021–22<ref name="sb2122">{{soccerbase season|97121|2021|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> |Scottish Championship |17||1||0||0||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup}}||0||19||1 |- |rowspan="3"|Darlington |2022–23<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref>For FA Cup: {{cite web |url=https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/darlington-v-southport-updates-3 |title=Becky's hat trick puts Quakers into the next round |publisher=Darlington F.C. |date=17 September 2022 |access-date=19 September 2022}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/hyde-v-darlington-updates |title=Quakers beaten by second half goal at Hyde |first=Ray |last=Simpson |publisher=Darlington F.C. |date=1 October 2022 |access-date=2 October 2022}}</ref> |National League North |34||6||2||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in FA Trophy}}||0||39||6 |- |2023–24<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/ben-liddle/423979/ |title=B. Liddle |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>For FA Cup: {{cite web |url=https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/darlington-v-workington-updates |title=Quakers go through in Cup |first=Ray |last=Simpson |publisher=Darlington F.C. |date=15 September 2023 |access-date=22 April 2024}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/darlington-v-scarborough-updates-1 |title=Scarborough go through with late penalty |first=Ray |last=Simpson |publisher=Darlington F.C. |date=30 September 2023 |access-date=30 September 2023}}</ref> |National League North |27||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||28||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !61||7||3||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0||67||7 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !90!!8!!6!!0!!1!!0!!12!!0!!109!!8 |} {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liddle, Ben}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from County Durham Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players Category:Blyth Spartans A.F.C. players Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players Category:Queen of the South F.C. players Category:Darlington F.C. players Category:National League (English football) players Category:English Football League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen