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. He will join EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers on 1 July 2026.
 Purrington playing for Rotherham United in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ben Purrington[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 20 May 1996[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Exeter, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)[2] | ||
| Positions | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Cambridge United | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2013 | Plymouth Argyle | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2017 | Plymouth Argyle | 52 | (0) |
| 2017–2019 | Rotherham United | 20 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | → AFC Wimbledon (loan) | 26 | (0) |
| 2019 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 18 | (0) |
| 2019–2022 | Charlton Athletic | 86 | (7) |
| 2022–2024 | Ross County | 23 | (1) |
| 2024–2025 | Exeter City | 33 | (1) |
| 2025–2026 | Cambridge United | 34 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:39, 6 May 2026 (UTC) | |||
Career
editPlymouth Argyle
editPurrington was born in Exeter, Devon.[3] He joined the Plymouth Argyle youth academy in September 2005 when he was nine.[4] He signed his first professional contract in May 2013.[5] Seven months later, Purrington made his first-team debut in a League Two match against Oxford United,[6][7] and scored his first senior goal in his fourth match; an FA Cup tie with Port Vale.[8]
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
editOn 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.[9] He made his debut in a 1–0 away defeat to Bristol City on 4 February 2017.[10]
Loans to AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic
editPurrington joined League One club AFC Wimbledon on 1 August 2018 on loan for the 2018–19 season.[11] He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in an FA Cup tie against Halifax Town on 1 December 2018.[12] He was recalled to Rotherham United on 10 January 2019.[13]
On the same day as his recall, Purrington joined League One club Charlton Athletic on loan until the end of the season.[14]
Charlton Athletic
editOn 2 July 2019, Purrington joined Charlton Athletic on a three-year contract.[15]
On 13 June 2022, it was confirmed that Purrington would be leaving Charlton Athletic following the expiration of his contract.[16]
Ross County
editOn 29 June 2022, Purrington signed a two-year deal at Ross County.[17]
Exeter City
editOn 11 January 2024, Purrington signed an 18-month contract at Exeter City.[18]
On 5 May 2025, Exeter announced the player would leave the club in June when his contract expired.[19]
Cambridge United
editOn 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.[20] On 6 May 2026 the club announced he was being released.[21]
Bristol Rovers
editOn 11 June 2026, Purrington agreed to return to League Two following promotion the previous season, joining Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal.[22]
Personal life
editPurrington's uncle is former England rugby union player Richard Hill.[23] Purrington is the older brother of Tom Purrington, who also plays football semi-professionally as a midfielder for Taunton Town.
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 25 April 2026
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Plymouth Argyle | 2013–14[24] | League Two | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 2014–15[25] | League Two | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2015–16[26] | League Two | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2016–17[10] | League Two | 19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| Total | 52 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 64 | 1 | ||
| Rotherham United | 2016–17[10] | Championship | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18[27] | League One | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2018–19[28] | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 0 | ||
| AFC Wimbledon (loan) | 2018–19[28] | League One | 26 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Charlton Athletic (loan) | 2018–19[28] | League One | 18 | 0 | — | — | 3[e] | 1 | 21 | 1 | ||
| Charlton Athletic | 2019–20[29] | Championship | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 2 | |
| 2020–21[30] | League One | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2021–22[31] | League One | 27 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[g] | 1 | 31 | 4 | |
| Total | 104 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 115 | 9 | ||
| Ross County | 2022–23[32] | Scottish Premiership | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2[h] | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| 2023–24[33] | Scottish Premiership | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 14 | 1 | ||
| Total | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 2 | ||
| Exeter City | 2023–24[33] | League One | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | |||
| 2024–25[34] | League One | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[i] | 0 | 27 | 0 | |
| Total | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 39 | 1 | ||
| Cambridge United | 2025–26[35] | League Two | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| Career total | 287 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 2 | 334 | 14 | ||
- ↑ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, one in League Two play-offs
- ↑ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy
- ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy
- ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy
- ↑ Three appearances in the League One play-offs
- ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy
- ↑ Two appearances in the EFL Trophy
- ↑ Two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
- ↑ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy
Honours
editRotherham United
Charlton Athletic
References
edit- ↑ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- 1 2 "Ben Purrington". Rotherham United F.C. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
- ↑ "Ben Purrington". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ↑ "Plymouth Argyle FC player profiles: Ben Purrington". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ↑ Metcalf, Rupert (20 May 2013). "Ben Purrington promoted to professional ranks by Plymouth Argyle". Western Morning News. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014.
- ↑ Errington, Chris (26 December 2013). "Reuben Reid double inspires Argyle to dramatic win at Oxford". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ↑ Errington, Chris (27 December 2013). "Teenage prospect Purrington enjoys his Argyle debut". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ↑ Errington, Chris (5 January 2014). "Port Vale 2 Plymouth Argyle 2: Match report". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ↑ "Millers complete deal for Plymouth youngster Purrington". Rotherham United F.C. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- 1 2 3 "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ↑ "Ben Purrington: AFC Wimbledon sign left-back on season-long loan from Rotherham". BBC Sport. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
- ↑ "Halifax 1–3 Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- ↑ "READ | Purrington recalled from AFC Wimbledon loan". Rotherham United Official Site. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ↑ "READ | Purrington makes Charlton loan switch". Rotherham United Official Site. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ↑ "Wembley hero Ben Purrington signs on a permanent deal". Charlton Athletic. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- ↑ "Ben Purrington to depart Charlton". Charlton Athletic Official Site. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ↑ "Purrington joins Ross County". Ross County Official Site. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ↑ "Ben Purrington signs for the Grecians!". Exeter City Official Site. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ↑ "Exeter City Retained List 2025 | Exeter City F.C." www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Ben Purrington signs". www.cambridgeunited.com. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ↑ "Michael Morrison: Cambridge United captain leaving U's ending 21-year association". BBC Sport. 6 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Bristol Rovers confirm signing of Ben Purrington". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ben Purrington: Nephew of rugby star makes Plymouth impact". BBC Sport. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- 1 2 3 "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- 1 2 "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ Scott, Ged (27 May 2018). "Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ↑ Law, James (26 May 2019). "Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
External links
edit
- Profile at the AFC Wimbledon website
- Ben Purrington at Soccerbase
