{{Short description|English footballer (born 1996)}} {{Lead too short|date=June 2022}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ben Purrington | image = Ben Purrington 2017-07-29.jpg | image_size = 200 | caption = Purrington playing for Rotherham United in 2017 | fullname = Ben Purrington<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ |title=EFL: Club retained and released lists published |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|5|20|df=y}}<ref name=Rotherham>{{cite web |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/ben-purrington/ |title=Ben Purrington |publisher=Rotherham United F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109064225/https://www.themillers.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/ben-purrington/ |archive-date=9 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | birth_place = Exeter, England | height = {{convert|1.79|m|order=flip}}<ref name=Rotherham/> | position = Left back/left wing-back, left midfielder, left winger | currentclub = Cambridge United | clubnumber = 3 | youthyears1 = 2005–2013 | youthclubs1 = Plymouth Argyle | years1 = 2013–2017 | clubs1 = Plymouth Argyle | caps1 = 52 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2017–2019 | clubs2 = Rotherham United | caps2 = 20 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2018–2019 | clubs3 = → AFC Wimbledon (loan) | caps3 = 26 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2019 | clubs4 = → Charlton Athletic (loan) | caps4 = 18 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2019–2022 | clubs5 = Charlton Athletic | caps5 = 86 | goals5 = 7 | years6 = 2022–2024 | clubs6 = Ross County | caps6 = 23 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2024–2025 | clubs7 = Exeter City | caps7 = 33 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2025–2026 | clubs8 = Cambridge United | caps8 = 34 | goals8 = 0 | club-update = 15:39, 6 May 2026 (UTC) }} '''Ben Purrington''' (born 20 May 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back, left wing-back, left midfielder or left winger for Cambridge United.
==Career== ===Plymouth Argyle=== Purrington was born in Exeter, Devon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/ben-purrington-241083/ |title=Ben Purrington |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> He joined the Plymouth Argyle youth academy in September 2005 when he was nine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk:80/team/player-profile/ben-purrington/16 |title=Plymouth Argyle FC player profiles: Ben Purrington |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302063902/http://www.pafc.co.uk/team/player-profile/ben-purrington/16 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=5 November 2018 }}</ref> He signed his first professional contract in May 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Ben-Purrington-promoted-professional-ranks/story-19035780-detail/story.html |title=Ben Purrington promoted to professional ranks by Plymouth Argyle |first=Rupert |last=Metcalf |newspaper=Western Morning News |date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228182844/http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Ben-Purrington-promoted-professional-ranks/story-19035780-detail/story.html |archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Seven months later, Purrington made his first-team debut in a League Two match against Oxford United,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Reuben-Reid-double-inspires-Argyle-dramatic-win/story-20369112-detail/story.html |title=Reuben Reid double inspires Argyle to dramatic win at Oxford |first=Chris |last=Errington |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=26 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122654/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Reuben-Reid-double-inspires-Argyle-dramatic-win/story-20369112-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Teenager-Purrington-enjoys-Plymouth-Argyle-debut/story-20372541-detail/story.html |title=Teenage prospect Purrington enjoys his Argyle debut |first=Chris |last=Errington |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=27 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122843/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Teenager-Purrington-enjoys-Plymouth-Argyle-debut/story-20372541-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and scored his first senior goal in his fourth match; an FA Cup tie with Port Vale.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Port-Vale-2-Plymouth-Argyle-2-Match-report/story-20402398-detail/story.html |title=Port Vale 2 Plymouth Argyle 2: Match report |first=Chris |last=Errington |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=5 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122616/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Port-Vale-2-Plymouth-Argyle-2-Match-report/story-20402398-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
He soon became a regular in the side after an injury suffered to teammate Gary Sawyer at the beginning of the 2016–17 season.
===Rotherham United=== On 30 January 2017, Purrington completed a move to Championship side Rotherham United for a reported £300,000 fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2017/january/signing--millers-complete-deal-for-plymouth-youngster-purrington/ |title=Millers complete deal for Plymouth youngster Purrington |publisher=Rotherham United F.C. |date=30 January 2017 |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> He made his debut in a 1–0 away defeat to Bristol City on 4 February 2017.<ref name=sb1617/>
====Loans to AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic==== Purrington joined League One club AFC Wimbledon on 1 August 2018 on loan for the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45032781 |title=Ben Purrington: AFC Wimbledon sign left-back on season-long loan from Rotherham |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2018 |access-date=1 August 2018}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in an FA Cup tie against Halifax Town on 1 December 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46325855 |title=Halifax 1–3 Wimbledon |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2018 |access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> He was recalled to Rotherham United on 10 January 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2019/january/read--purrington-recalled-from-afc-wimbledon-loan/|title=READ {{!}} Purrington recalled from AFC Wimbledon loan|publisher=Rotherham United Official Site|date=10 January 2019|access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref>
On the same day as his recall, Purrington joined League One club Charlton Athletic on loan until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2019/january/read--purrington-makes-charlton-loan-switch/|title=READ {{!}} Purrington makes Charlton loan switch|publisher=Rotherham United Official Site|date=10 January 2019|access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref>
===Charlton Athletic=== On 2 July 2019, Purrington joined Charlton Athletic on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wembley hero Ben Purrington signs on a permanent deal |url=https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5d1ba02f13cf2/done-deal-wembley-hero-ben-purrington-signs-on-a-permanent-deal |publisher=Charlton Athletic |access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
On 13 June 2022, it was confirmed that Purrington would be leaving Charlton Athletic following the expiration of his contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ben Purrington to depart Charlton|url=https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/62a72d8ba55b7/ben-purrington-to-depart-charlton |publisher=Charlton Athletic Official Site |access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref>
===Ross County=== On 29 June 2022, Purrington signed a two-year deal at Ross County.<ref>{{cite news |title=Purrington joins Ross County|url=https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/purrington-joins-the-staggies |publisher=Ross County Official Site |access-date=29 June 2022}}</ref>
===Exeter City=== On 11 January 2024, Purrington signed an 18-month contract at Exeter City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ben Purrington signs for the Grecians!|url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2024/january/ben-purrington-signs/ |publisher=Exeter City Official Site |access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref>
On 5 May 2025, Exeter announced the player would leave the club in June when his contract expired.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exeter City Retained List 2025 {{!}} Exeter City F.C. |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/retained25 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=www.exetercityfc.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>
===Cambridge United=== On 23 June 2025, Purrington agreed to join League Two side Cambridge United on a one-year deal upon the expiration of his contract with Exeter City.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/ben-purrington-signs|title=Ben Purrington signs|website=www.cambridgeunited.com|date=23 June 2025|accessdate=23 June 2025}}</ref> On 6 May 2026 the club announced he was being released.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-06 |title=Michael Morrison: Cambridge United captain leaving U's ending 21-year association |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp3pynk7g58o |access-date=2026-05-25 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Personal life== Purrington's uncle is former England rugby union player Richard Hill.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25549503 |title=Ben Purrington: Nephew of rugby star makes Plymouth impact |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 December 2013 |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref> Purrington is the older brother of Tom Purrington, who also plays football semi-professionally as a midfielder for Taunton Town.
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 25 April 2026}}
{| 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 !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=5|Plymouth Argyle |2013–14<ref name=sb1314>{{soccerbase season|70893|2013|accessdate=8 January 2018}}</ref> |League Two |12||0||2||1||0||0||0||0||14||1 |- |2014–15<ref name=sb1415>{{soccerbase season|70893|2014|accessdate=8 January 2018}}</ref> |League Two |8||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||9||0 |- |2015–16<ref name=sb1516>{{soccerbase season|70893|2015|accessdate=8 January 2018}}</ref> |League Two |13||0||0||0||0||0||3{{efn|Two appearances in Football League Trophy, one in League Two play-offs}}||0||16||0 |- |2016–17<ref name=sb1617/> |League Two |19||0||3||0||0||0||3<ref group=lower-alpha>Three appearances in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0||25||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !52||0||6||1||0||0||6||0||64||1 |- |rowspan=4|Rotherham United |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|70893|2016|accessdate=8 January 2018}}</ref> |Championship |10||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||0 |- |2017–18<ref name=sb1718>{{soccerbase season|70893|2017|accessdate=28 May 2018}}</ref> |League One |10||0||0||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>One appearance in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0||12||0 |- |2018–19<ref name=sb1819>{{soccerbase season|70893|2018|accessdate=28 May 2018}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !20||0||0||0||1||0||1||0||22||0 |- |AFC Wimbledon (loan) |2018–19<ref name=sb1819/> |League One |26||0||3||1||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>One appearance in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0||30||1 |- |Charlton Athletic (loan) |2018–19<ref name=sb1819/> |League One |18||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3<ref group=lower-alpha>Three appearances in the League One play-offs</ref>||1||21||1 |- |rowspan=4|Charlton Athletic |2019–20<ref name=sb1920>{{soccerbase season|70893|2019|accessdate=3 July 2019}}</ref> |Championship |31||2||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||31||2 |- |2020–21<ref name=sb2020>{{soccerbase season|70893|2020|accessdate=3 July 2019}}</ref> |League One |28||2||1||0||2||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>One appearance in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0||32||2 |- |2021–22<ref name=sb2021>{{soccerbase season|70893|2021|accessdate=3 July 2019}}</ref> |League One |27||3||2||0||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha>Two appearances in the EFL Trophy</ref>||1||31||4 |- !colspan=2|Total !104||7||3||0||2||0||6||2||115||9 |- |rowspan=3|Ross County |2022–23<ref name=sb2223>{{soccerbase season|70893|2022|accessdate=3 July 2019}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |11||0||0||0||5||1||2<ref group=lower-alpha>Two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs </ref>||0||18||1 |- |2023–24<ref name=sb2324>{{soccerbase season|70893|2023|accessdate=3 July 2023}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |12||1||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||14||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !23!!1!!0!!0!!7!!1!!2!!0!!32!!2 |- |rowspan="3"|Exeter City |2023–24<ref name=sb2324/> |League One |12||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||12||1 |- |2024–25<ref name=sb2425>{{soccerbase season|70893|2024|accessdate=3 July 2023}}</ref> |League One |21||0||1||0||1||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha>Three appearances in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0||27||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !33!!1!!1!!0!!1!!0!!4!!0!!39!!1 |- |Cambridge United |2025–26<ref name=sb2526>{{soccerbase season|70893|2025|accessdate=3 August 2025}}</ref> |League Two |34||0||3||0||0||0||1||0||38||0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !287||9||16||2||11||1||20||2||334||14 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Rotherham United''' *EFL League One play-offs: 2018<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44186999 |title=Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town |first=Ged |last=Scott |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2018 |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref>
'''Charlton Athletic''' *EFL League One play-offs: 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48324840 |title=Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland |first=James |last=Law |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2019 |access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20180909141719/https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/ben-purrington/ Profile] at the AFC Wimbledon website *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Cambridge United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Purrington, Ben}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Exeter Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players Category:Rotherham United F.C. players Category:AFC Wimbledon players Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players Category:Ross County F.C. players Category:Exeter City F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:Cambridge United F.C. players