Ben Barclay
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Philip Barclay[1]
Date of birth (1996-10-07) 7 October 1996 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back, defensive midfielder.[3]
Team information
Current team
 Carlisle United
Number 26
Youth career
2004–2013 Manchester City
2013–2018 Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
2019 → Notts County (loan) 13 (1)
2019–2021 Accrington Stanley 34 (1)
2021–2023 Stockport County 11 (1)
2022 → Yeovil Town (loan) 20 (1)
2022–2023 → Carlisle United (loan) 13 (1)
2023– Carlisle United 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:44, 10 November 2023 (UTC)

Benjamin Philip Barclay (born 7 October 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays for Carlisle United of League One. He can play as both a centre back and in a defensive midfield role.[4]

Career

Brighton & Hove Albion

Barclay played regularly for Brighton U23's and made a number of appearances for the Sussex club in the Premier League 2 league prior to his inclusion to the senior squad. The former Manchester City youth player was included in Chris Hughton's 25-man squad for the 2018–19 Premier League season.[5] He made his Brighton and professional debut on 29 August 2018, starting and playing the whole match of the 1–0 home loss against fellow Premier League outfit Southampton in the EFL Cup, with Charlie Austin scoring the late winner.[6][7]

Notts County (loan)

On 4 January 2019, Barclay joined Notts County on loan until the end of the season.[8] Barclay made his Notts County debut a day after joining the club in a League Two fixture away against Essex side Colchester United where it eventually finished 3–3, in what also happened to be his first ever league match.[9] On 19 April 2019, Barclay scored his first ever professional goal scoring in the 90+4 minute in a 2–1 home defeat to MK Dons.[10] In the next match, which was away to Crawley, Barclay was sent off for violent conduct. He was sent off at 1–1, the scoreline it finished.[11] As a result of the suspension he missed the final two games of the season where Notts County were relegated to the National League after a 3–1 away defeat to Swindon Town in the final game of the season.[12]

Departure from The Albion

He was released from Brighton at the end of the 2018–19 season.[13]

Accrington Stanley

On 16 July 2019, Barclay joined Accrington Stanley on a one-year contract with the option of a further year.[14] He made his debut for Stanley on 13 August, coming in the EFL Cup starting in midfield where it finished 3–1 to Sunderland at the Crown Ground.[15] Barclay made his league debut for Accy on 16 November, starting in the centre of midfield in a 1–0 away defeat to Rotherham United[16] He made eight league appearances in his first season for the Lancashire-based side including a 1–0 away win over local rivals Blackpool on Boxing Day 2019, before the league being suspended in March 2020 due to Coronavirus.[17][18][19][20]

On Barclay's fourth league game of the 2020–21 season he started and played the whole match helping keep a clean sheet in a 2–0 home victory over League One leaders Hull City on 26 January 2021.[21] He scored his first Stanley goal with a powerful header putting Accrington back level in an eventual 3–1 away loss to relegation threatened Rochdale on 17 April.[22] He played 21 times in the league, scoring once – 26 appearances and one goal in all competitions – in his second season at the club, including the 1–0 away win against Portsmouth on the final day of the season, knocking Pompey out of the play-offs with Accrington finishing in 11th place.[23] Barclay was offered a new deal by the club at the end of the season.[24] However, he departed the club making 43 appearances scoring once in all competitions after two years at Stanley.

Stockport County

On 2 August 2021, Barclay signed a three-year deal with National League side Stockport County.[25] He made his debut on the 22 August, starting and playing the whole match in the 3–1 home loss against Dagenham & Redbridge on the opening game of the 2021–22 season.[26] Barclay came on as an extra time substitute in the 5–3 FA Cup first round replay victory over Bolton on 17 November, knocking out the League One side.[27] Six days later, again coming on from the bench, he scored his first goal for The Hatters, scoring Stockport's fourth in an eventual 5–0 home thrashing over King's Lynn.[28]

Yeovil Town (loan)

On 28 January 2022, Barclay joined fellow National League side Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal.[29] A day later he made his debut for The Glovers, playing the full match helping keep a clean sheet in the 1–0 away win over Woking.[30] Barclay scored his first goal for Yeovil on 19 March, opening the scoreline in an eventual 2–0 away win over Dover Athletic, a result that relegated the troubled Kent side to the National League South.[31]

Carlisle United

Initial loan

On 4 July 2022, Barclay signed for League Two side Carlisle United on a season-long loan[32] In an away fixture against fellow Cumbrian side Barrow on 22 April 2023, Barclay netted the only goal of the game and his first in Carlisle colours to help the side in their promotion chase.[33] On 20 May 2023, he scored the winning goal in the playoff semi-final against Bradford City, setting up a final against his parent club Stockport, but was ineligible to play at Wembley as players on loan can't play against their parent clubs.[34][35] Carlisle went on to gain promotion to League One after beating Stockport on penalties.[36]

Departure from Stockport County and permanent signing with Carlisle

In June 2023 Barclay agreed terms to cancel his contract at Stockport County.[37] On 30 June 2023, Barclay signed a two year contract with Carlisle United.[38]

Career statistics

As of 4 November 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brighton & Hove Albion U23 2016–17[39] — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
2018–19[40] — — — 3[a] 0 3 0
Total — — — 5 0 5 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 2018–19[40] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
Notts County (loan) 2018–19[40] League Two 13 1 — — — 13 1
Accrington Stanley 2019–20[41] League One 8 0 0 0 1 0 3[a] 0 12 0
2020–21[42] League One 26 1 0 0 1 0 4[a] 0 31 1
Total 34 1 0 0 2 0 7 0 43 1
Stockport County 2021–22[43] National League 11 1 2 0 — 0 0 13 1
2022–23[44] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 1
Yeovil Town (loan) 2021–22[43] National League 20 1 — — 1[b] 1 21 2
Carlisle United (loan) 2022–23[44] League Two 13 1 1 0 1 0 2[c] 1 17 2
Carlisle United 2023–24[45] League One 3 0 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 6 0
Total 16 1 2 0 2 0 3 1 23 2
Career total 94 5 4 0 5 0 16 2 119 7
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in Somerset Premier Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in the League Two play-offs

Honours

Stockport County

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: stockport county" (PDF). English national league. p. 1. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Ben Barclay". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Ben Barclay – Midfielder – First Team – Stockport County". Stockport County. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Ben Barclay – Midfielder – First Team – Stockport County". Stockport County. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Ben Barclay - Defender - First Team - Brighton & Hove Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion V Southampton - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  7. ^ Naylor, Andy (29 August 2018). "Albion youngster Barclay didn't bank on Austin spoiling his debut". The Argus. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Loan Switch for Albion Defensive Pair". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Colchester United 3–3 Notts County". BBC Sport. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Notts County v Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Crawley Town v Notts County". BBC Sport. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Swindon Town 3–1 Notts County: Magpies relegated to National League". BBC Sport. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  13. ^ "2018/19 Premier League clubs' released lists". Premier League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  14. ^ "Ben signs for Stanley". Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  15. ^ "Accrington Stanley 1–3 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  16. ^ "Rotherham United 1–0 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Blackpool 0–1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Coronavirus: UK government considering banning sporting fixtures". BBC Sport. 29 October 2020.
  19. ^ "EFL statement: Coronavirus update". English Football League. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  20. ^ "EFL statement: Coronavirus update". English Football League. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Accrington Stanley 2–0 Hull City – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Rochdale 3-1 Accrington Stanley – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Portsmouth 0-1 Accrington Stanley: Pompey miss out on play-offs after defeat – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  24. ^ "UPDATE: Retained List". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  25. ^ "County back on Barclay". www.stockportcounty.com. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  26. ^ "Stockport County 1-3 Dagenham & Redbridge - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Stockport County 5-3 Bolton Wanderers: National League side edge thriller - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Stockport County v King's Lynn Town - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Transfer | Ben Barclay signs on loan". ytfc.net. Yeovil Town F.C. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Woking 0-1 Yeovil Town - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Dover Athletic 0-2 Yeovil Town - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Ben Barclay: Carlisle United sign centre-back on loan from Stockport County". BBC Sport. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Barrow 0-1 Carlisle United". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Carlisle beat Bradford in extra time to make final". BBC Sport. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  35. ^ "Why ex-Brighton man Ben Barclay will miss Wembley final". The Argus. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  36. ^ "Carlisle United 1-1 Stockport County (5-4 pens): Carlisle promoted to League One". BBC Sport. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  37. ^ "Barclay departs Edgeley Park…". Stockport County Official Site. June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  38. ^ "Ben Barclay: Carlisle United sign former Stockport County defender on permanent deal". BBC Sport. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  39. ^ "Games played by Ben Barclay in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  40. ^ a b c "Games played by Ben Barclay in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  41. ^ "Games played by Ben Barclay in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  42. ^ "Games played by Ben Barclay in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  43. ^ a b "B. Barclay: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  44. ^ a b "Games played by Ben Barclay in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  45. ^ "Games played by Ben Barclay in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  46. ^ "National League: 2021/22: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
    "Stockport: Squad details: 2021/22". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
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