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Ben Greenhalgh

{{short description|English footballer and golfer}}

{{BLP sources|date=September 2013}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ben Greenhalgh

| image =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|4|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Orpington, England

| height =

| position = Midfielder, Striker

| currentclub = Margate (player-manager)

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2009

| years1 = 2009–2010

| clubs1 = Welling United

| caps1 = 1

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2010–2011

| clubs2 = Inter Milan

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2010

| clubs3 = → Como (loan)

| caps3 = 12

| goals3 = 8

| years4 = 2012

| clubs4 = Welling United

| caps4 = 16

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2012–2013

| clubs5 = Ebbsfleet United

| caps5 = 10

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013

| clubs6 = Maidstone United

| caps6 = 3

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2013

| clubs7 = Concord Rangers

| caps7 = 11

| goals7 = 5

| years8 = 2013–2014

| clubs8 = Inverness Caledonian Thistle

| caps8 = 6

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2014

| clubs9 = → Stenhousemuir (loan)

| caps9 = 6

| goals9 = 3

| years10 = 2014–2015

| clubs10 = Maidstone United

| caps10 = 46

| goals10 = 10

| years11 = 2015–2016

| clubs11 = Concord Rangers

| caps11 = 42

| goals11 = 13

| years12 = 2016–2017

| clubs12 = Maidstone United

| caps12 = 21

| goals12 = 2

| years13 = 2017

| clubs13 = → Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)

| caps13 = 18

| goals13 = 4

| years14 = 2017

| clubs14 = Hemel Hempstead Town

| caps14 = 11

| goals14 = 4

| years15 = 2017–2018

| clubs15 = Concord Rangers

| caps15 = 27

| goals15 = 8

| years16 = 2018–2020

| clubs16 = Dartford

| caps16 = 54

| goals16 = 7

| years17 = 2019–2020

| clubs17 = → Tonbridge Angels (loan)

| caps17 = 8

| goals17 = 1

| years18 = 2020–2021

| clubs18 = Tonbridge Angels

| caps18 = 18

| goals18 = 2

| years19 = 2021–

| clubs19 = Margate

| caps19 = 163

| goals19 = 54

| club-update = 17:10, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

| manageryears1 = 2022–2023

| managerclubs1 = Margate (joint-caretaker)

| manageryears2 = 2024–

| managerclubs2 = Margate (player-manager)

}}

Ben James Greenhalgh (born 16 April 1992) is an English footballer and golfer who plays as a midfielder or striker. He is currently player-manager of Margate. He is noted for winning the football reality show Football's Next Star, where he won a contract at Italian giants Inter Milan.

Career

=''Football's Next Star''=

Greenhalgh, from Orpington, who played for the Welling United youth team, was featured in the Sky One show Football's Next Star and impressed judges in the trial game after laying on a perfect cross for Hicham Abdellah to head home. At the end of the opening episode, the judges presented the Inter Milan shirt to ten players who would travel to Italy to compete for their dream of a professional contract in later episodes.[http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Reality-TV-star-Ben-hopes-to-win-Inter-Milan-slot-newsinkent31561.aspx?news=local] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112064718/http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Reality-TV-star-Ben-hopes-to-win-Inter-Milan-slot-newsinkent31561.aspx?news=local|date=12 January 2010}}

After 20,000 entries to the show and eight episodes, Greenhalgh was given the shirt and revealed as the winner of Football's Next Star 2010, receiving a professional six-month contract with Inter Milan.{{cite web|title=Welling teenager Ben Greenhalgh joins Inter Milan after winning Sky TV programme Football's Next Star|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/welling-teenager-ben-greenhalgh--a88097|publisher=Kent Online|date=15 February 2010|accessdate=14 April 2014}}

=Back in the United Kingdom=

After his six-month professional contract at Inter Milan came to an end, Greenhalgh was offered another year from the Italian giants which included a four-month loan spell to Calcio Como, where he scored eight goals from 12 games.{{cite web|title=ENGLISH LAD GREENHALGH MAKING STRIDES AT INTER MILAN|url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/english-lad-greenhalgh-making-strides-inter-milan-1244311#.U0xO-K8U-Uk|publisher=Tribal Football|date=11 December 2010|accessdate=14 April 2014}} Despite never playing a senior game during his time with Inter Milan, Greenhalgh was presented with a Champions League Winners medal after being part of the travelling squad for the 2010 UEFA Champions League Final. After his contract was up, he returned to the UK and spent time at Brighton & Hove Albion,{{cite web|title=Gus: It's not my call|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/8914166.Gus__It_s_not_my_call/|publisher=The Argus|last=Owen|first=Brian|date=17 March 2011|accessdate=14 April 2014}} as well as a spell at Birmingham City, where he was advised to play first team football in the Conference to gain experience in the English game. He signed for non-League club Welling United in December,{{cite web|title=Welling United's Ben Greenhalgh is glad to be back where it all started following time at Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/welling-uniteds-ben-greenhalgh--a67123|publisher=Kent Online|last=Hoad|first=Alex|date=16 February 2012|accessdate=14 April 2014}} before later joining Ebbsfleet United{{cite web|title=Ebbsfleet sign Ben Greenhalgh and give Aaron Williams a deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19214177|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2012}} and Maidstone United.{{cite web |url=http://www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/2013/01/stones-bring-in-greenhalgh/ |title=Stones bring in Greenhalgh |publisher=Maidstone United |date=11 January 2013 |accessdate=11 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192357/http://www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/2013/01/stones-bring-in-greenhalgh/ |archivedate=29 October 2013 }}

In June 2013 he transferred to Scottish club Inverness Caledonian Thistle.{{cite web|title=Inverness sign trio, including reality TV star Ben Greenhalgh|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22619453|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Dewar|first=Heather|date=3 June 2013|accessdate=1 September 2013}} This was due to happen in February 2013, however international clearance stopped Greenhalgh from leaving England until the 2013–14 season.

Having played only six first-team games for Inverness, Greenhalgh was loaned to Scottish League One club Stenhousemuir for the final six games of the season.{{cite web|title=Preview. Home v St Mirren|url=http://ictfc.com/matches/previews/1255-preview-home-v-st-mirren|work=ICTFC.com|publisher=Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC|date=28 March 2014|accessdate=31 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920042440/http://ictfc.com/matches/previews/1255-preview-home-v-st-mirren|archive-date=20 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

In June 2014 it was reported that Inverness had opted not to offer Greenhalgh a further contract, with manager John Hughes stating that he could not guarantee Greenhalgh first-team football.{{cite news |title="It doesn't matter who we get. We just want to get going again" – Hughes|url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/It-doesnt-matter-who-we-get-We-just-want-to-get-going-again-Hughes-19062014.htm|work=Inverness Courier|publisher=Scottish Provincial Press|date=20 June 2014 |accessdate=21 June 2014 }}

It was announced on 22 June 2015, that Greenhalgh had signed for National League South side Concord Rangers, returning to a club where he had made a big impact during the run-in of the 2012–13 season, winning both the Isthmian League Cup, and the Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/2015/06/greenhalgh-signs-for-concord-rangers/|title=Greenhalgh signs for Concord Rangers|date=22 June 2015|website=Maidstone United FC}}

On 26 May 2016, it was announced that Greenhalgh had signed for Maidstone United again.{{Cite web|url=http://www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/2016/05/greenhalgh-gets-back-to-the-gallagher/|title=Greenhalgh gets back to the Gallagher|date=26 May 2016|website=Maidstone United FC}} He was released by Maidstone a year later in May 2017. He was immediately signed by National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town, who had Greenhalgh on loan towards the back end of the 2016–17 season.

On 24 May 2018, it was announced that Greenhalgh had signed for Dartford.{{cite web|title=Player News: Ben Greenhalgh|url=https://www.dartfordfc.com/player-news-ben-greenhalgh/|publisher=Dartford FC official website|date=24 May 2018|accessdate=24 May 2018}}

On 8 November 2019, it was announced that Greenhalgh had signed for Tonbridge Angels on an initial month's loan.{{cite web|title=Player Update: Ben Greenhalgh|url=https://www.dartfordfc.com/player-update-ben-greenhalgh/|publisher=Dartford FC official website|date=8 November 2019|accessdate=8 November 2019}}{{cite web|title=Ben Greenhalgh stats|url=https://www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk/player/ben-greenhalgh/799977/appearances|publisher=Tonbridge Angels FC official website|date=16 November 2019|accessdate=16 November 2019}} His loan was then extended until 4 January 2020.{{cite web|title=Player News: Ben Greenhalgh update|url=https://www.dartfordfc.com/player-news-ben-greenhalgh-2/|publisher=Dartford FC official website|date=10 December 2019|accessdate=10 December 2019}}

On 7 January 2020, it was announced that Greenhalgh had left Dartford by mutual consent.{{cite web|title=Player Update: Ben Greenhalgh|url=https://www.dartfordfc.com/player-update-ben-greenhalgh-2/|publisher=Dartford FC official website|date=7 January 2020|accessdate=7 January 2020}} The following day, Greenhalgh signed permanently for Tonbridge Angels.{{cite web|title=Ben Greenhalgh signs for the Angels|url=https://www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk/first-team-news/ben-greenhalgh-signs-for-the-angels/975|publisher=Tonbridge Angels FC official website|date=8 January 2020|accessdate=8 January 2020}}

On 6 April 2021, Greenhalgh signed for Margate for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|title=Greenhalgh Joins The Gate|url=http://www.margate-fc.co.uk/news/06-apr-2021/Greenhalgh-Joins-The-Gate|publisher=Margate FC official website|date=6 April 2021|accessdate=6 April 2021}} Greenhalgh was appointed captain ahead of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.margate-fc.co.uk/news/25-may-2022/Greenhalgh-Named-Club-Captain|title=Greenhalgh Named Club Captain|website=margate-fc.co.uk|date=25 May 2022|accessdate=15 June 2022}} In December 2022, the sacking of Andy Drury saw Greenhalgh appointed joint-caretaker manager with fellow player Reece Prestedge.{{cite web|url=https://www.margate-fc.co.uk/news/26-dec-2022/Margate-Part-Ways-With-Andy-Drury|title=Margate Part Ways With Andy Drury|website=margate-fc.co.uk|date=26 December 2022|accessdate=29 January 2023}} On 31 January 2023, Prestedge was appointed manager on a permanent basis with Greenhalgh as his assistant manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.margate-fc.co.uk/news/31-jan-2023/Reece-Ready-To-Lead-Blues-Greenhalgh-Appointed-Assistant|title=Reece Ready To Lead Blues, Greenhalgh Appointed Assistant|website=margate-fc.co.uk|date=31 January 2023|accessdate=31 January 2023}} Following relegation at the end of the 2023–24 season, Greenhalgh was named player-manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.margate-fc.co.uk/news/29-may-2024/Ben-Greenhalgh-Announced-As-PlayerManager|title=Ben Greenhalgh Announced As Player/Manager|website=margate-fc.co.uk|date=29 May 2024|accessdate=29 May 2024}}

Personal life

In 2015 he became a professional golfer and joined the PGA circuit, playing in one-day golf tournaments while continuing to play semi-professional football.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54342386|title=TV talent winner, Inter Milan and now FA Cup|publisher=BBC Sport }}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 21 April 2025}}

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

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="1"|Welling United

|2009–10{{Cite news |title=Ben Greenhalgh Profile |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/ben-greenhalgh |publisher=Aylesbury United |accessdate=24 May 2018}}

|Conference South

|1

000colspan="2"|—0010
rowspan="1"|Inter Milan

|2010–11{{Cite news |title=Ben Greenhalgh – I love a trick or five! |url=http://www.concordrangers.co.uk/ben-greenhalgh-i-love-a-trick-or-five/ |publisher=Concord Rangers Official Site |date=3 September 2015 |accessdate=24 May 2018}}

|Serie A

|0

000colspan="2"|—0000
rowspan="1"|Como (loan)

|2010–11

|Lega Pro Prima Divisione Group A

|12

800colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—128
rowspan="1"|Welling United

|2011–12

|Conference South

|16

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—00163
rowspan="1"|Ebbsfleet United

|2012–13{{Cite news |title=B. Greenhalgh |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ben-greenhalgh/95142/ |publisher=Soccerway |accessdate=24 May 2018}}

|Conference Premier

|10

110colspan="2"|—1Appearance(s) in FA Trophy0121
rowspan="1"|Maidstone United

|2012–13

|Isthmian League Division One South

|3

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—30
rowspan="1"|Concord Rangers

|2012–13

|Isthmian League Premier Division

|11

5colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—115
rowspan="1"|Inverness Caledonian Thistle

|2013–14

|Scottish Premiership

|6

00000colspan="2"|—60
rowspan="1"|Stenhousemuir (loan)

|2013–14

|Scottish League One

|6

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—63
rowspan="1"|Maidstone United

|2014–15{{Cite news |title=Midfield trio take up new deals |url=http://www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/2015/05/midfield-trio-take-up-new-deals/ |publisher=Maidstone United Official Site |date=19 May 2015 |accessdate=24 May 2018}}

|Isthmian League Premier Division

|46

1053colspan="2"|—4Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances and one goal in Alan Turvey Trophy15514
rowspan="1"|Concord Rangers

|2015–16

|National League South

|42

1310colspan="2"|—214514
rowspan="1"|Maidstone United

|2016–17

|National League

|21

220colspan="2"|—21253
rowspan="1"|Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)

|2016–17

|National League South

|18

4colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—184
rowspan="1"|Hemel Hempstead Town

|2017–18

|National League South

|11

420colspan="2"|—00134
rowspan="1"|Concord Rangers

|2017–18

|National League South

|27

8colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—10288
rowspan="3"|Dartford

|2018–19

|National League South

|42

420colspan="2"|—3Appearance(s) in Kent Senior Cup0474
2019–20

|National League South

|12

330colspan="2"|—00153
colspan="2"|Dartford total

!54

7500030627
rowspan="1"|Tonbridge Angels (loan)

|2019–20

|National League South

|8

1colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—81
rowspan="3"|Tonbridge Angels

|2019–20

|National League South

|7

1colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—71
2020–21

|National League South

|11

142colspan="2"|—10163
colspan="2"|Tonbridge Angels total

!26

3420010315
rowspan="5"|Margate

|2021–22{{Cite web |title=Margate | Appearances | Ben Greenhalgh | Football Web Pages |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/margate/appearances/ben-greenhalgh/799977}}

|Isthmian League Premier Division

|42

1830colspan="2"|—10Appearance(s) in Velocity TrophyAppearance(s) in Kent Senior Cup65524
2022–23

|Isthmian League Premier Division

|42

1220colspan="2"|—8Appearance(s) in Velocity Cup55217
2023–24

|Isthmian League Premier Division

|39

1441colspan="2"|—2Appearance(s) in Velocity Cup04515
2024–25

|Isthmian League South East Division

|40

1064colspan="2"|—6Appearance(s) in Kent Senior CupAppearance(s) in Velocity Cup35217
colspan="2"|Margate total

!163

5415500261420473
colspan="3"|Career total

!473

1253510004017548152

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Managerial statistics

{{updated|match played 21 April 2025}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

{{abbr|P|Matches played}}{{abbr|W|Matches won}}{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
align=left|Margate (joint-caretaker)

|align=left|26 December 2022

|align=left|31 January 2023

{{WDL|6|1|2|3|decimals=1}}

align=left|Margate (player-manager)

|align=left|29 May 2024

|align=left|Present

{{WDL|53|30|14|9|decimals=1}}

colspan=3|Total

{{WDLtot|59|31|16|12|decimals=1}}

Honours

;Welling United

;Inter Milan

;Brighton & Hove Albion

;Concord Rangers

;Maidstone United

Individual

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Soccerbase}}
  • {{Soccerway|ben-greenhalgh/95142}}

{{Margate F.C. managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Greenhalgh, Ben}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Bromley

Category:People from Orpington

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Welling United F.C. players

Category:Inter Milan players

Category:Como 1907 players

Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players

Category:Maidstone United F.C. players

Category:Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. players

Category:Stenhousemuir F.C. players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Isthmian League players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Concord Rangers F.C. players

Category:Dartford F.C. players

Category:Tonbridge Angels F.C. players

Category:Margate F.C. players

Category:Margate F.C. managers

Category:Isthmian League managers

Category:21st-century English sportsmen