Ben Wharton

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ben Wharton

| image =

| fullname = Benjamin Wharton

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1990|6|17}}

| birth_place = Stockport, England

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Striker

| height =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Stockport County

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs2 = Rochdale

| years1 = 2007–2008

| clubs1 = Rochdale

| caps1 = 1

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2008

| clubs2 = Mossley

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 2008

| clubs3 = Northwich Victoria

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| years4 = 2008

| clubs4 = Buxton

| caps4 =

| goals4 =

| years5 = 2008–2009

| clubs5 = Atherton Collieries

| caps5 = 16

| goals5 = 3

| years6 = 2009–2013

| clubs6 = Radcliffe Borough

| caps6 =

| goals6 =

| years7 = 2013–2016

| clubs7 = Warrington Town

| caps7 =

| goals7 =

| years8 = 2016

| clubs8 = Ashton United

| caps8 =

| goals8 =

| years9 = 2016

| clubs9 = Colne

| caps9 =

| goals9 =

| years10 = 2016–2017

| clubs10 = Bamber Bridge

| caps10 =

| goals10 =

| years11 = 2017

| clubs11 = Brighouse Town

| caps11 =

| goals11 =

| years12 = 2017

| clubs12 = Droylsden

| caps12 =

| goals12 =

| years13 = 2017

| clubs13 = Curzon Ashton

| caps13 =

| goals13 =

| years14 = 2018–2020

| clubs14 = Radcliffe

| caps14 =

| goals14 =

| years15 = 2020

| clubs15 = Runcorn Linnets

| caps15 =

| goals15 =

| years16 = 2020–2021

| clubs16 = Stalybridge Celtic

| caps16 = 0

| goals16 = 0

| years17 = 2021

| clubs17 = Widnes

| caps17 = 6

| goals17 = 1

| years18 = 2021–2023

| clubs18 = Bury AFC

| caps18 = 33

| goals18 = 14

| clubs19 = Avro FC

| years19 = 2023-2024

| clubs20 = West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C

| years20 = 2024-

}}

Ben Wharton is an English semi-professional footballer. He plays as striker.

Early career and Football League appearance

He started out at Stockport County's youth academy and came through the ranks. After he was released at the age of 16 by Stockport he signed a YTS for Rochdale. He came off the bench against Accrington Stanley, in the 90th minute, to make his debut. Wharton didn't play another minute for the club that season and was released at the end of the 2007-08 season. He joined West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC for 2024/25.{{cite web | url=https://wdcfc.co.uk/blog/introducing-ben-wharton | title=Introducing: Ben Wharton }}

Non-league football career

=Mossley=

He then made two appearances for Mossley, both as substitute.{{cite web|url=http://www.mossleyweb.com/PlayersAZ/AZW2.htm|title=Complete A-Z of Mossley Players|work=Mossley Web|access-date=20 November 2019|archive-date=25 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725073804/http://www.mossleyweb.com/PlayersAZ/AZW2.htm|url-status=dead}}

=Northwich Victoria=

He was signed by Northwich Victoria in October 2008.

=Buxton=

A move to Buxton followed in November 2008.{{cite web | url=http://www.buxtonfc.co.uk/playerStats-profile.php?id=113 | title=Ben Wharton | publisher=Buxton F.C. | access-date=2009-01-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721062003/http://www.buxtonfc.co.uk/playerStats-profile.php?id=113 | archive-date=21 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}

=Atherton Collieries=

Between September 2008 and February 2009, Ben represented Atherton Collieries, scoring 3 goals in 16 appearances.{{cite web |title=Atherton Collieries Match Reports: 2008/09 |url=https://athertoncollieries.wordpress.com/category/match-reports-200809/ |website=Atherton Collieries |date=2 January 2014 |access-date=4 July 2022}}

=Radcliffe Borough=

He joined Radcliffe Borough in March 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.rbfc.co.uk/players.php?player_id=341&season_id=3 |title=Ben Wharton profile |publisher=Radcliffe Borough |access-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112015158/http://www.rbfc.co.uk/players.php?player_id=341&season_id=3 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |df=dmy }}{{cite web|author=Non-League News |url=https://nonleague.pitchero.com/uncategorized/wharton-boost-for-boro-900/ |title=Wharton Boost for Boro - Pitchero Non-League |publisher=Nonleague.pitchero.com |date=2011-03-09 |access-date=2021-12-16}} but left in 2013.

=Warrington Town=

His next club was Warrington Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/10461540.hot-shot-signed-up/ |title=Hot-shot signed up |publisher=Warrington Guardian |date= 5 June 2013|access-date=2021-12-16}} His time at the club included being part of the FA Cup victory against Exeter City in November 2014.{{cite web |last1=Parsons |first1=Mike |title=Ben Wharton worked the morning of Warrington Town's FA Cup win over Exeter City |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/11597119.ben-wharton-worked-the-morning-of-warrington-towns-fa-cup-win-over-exeter-city/ |publisher=Warrington Guardian |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=13 November 2014}} He left the club in January 2016.{{cite web |title=Ben Wharton leaves Warrington Town |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/14224434.ben-wharton-leaves-warrington-town/ |publisher=Warrington Guardian |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=22 January 2016}}

=Ashton United=

In January 2016 he moved to Ashton United.{{cite tweet|number=690469975056896001|user=AshtonUnitedFC|title=We welcome Ben Wharton from Warrington & Ben McKenna (loan) from Stalybridge. #proudtobearobin |date=22 January 2016}}

=Colne=

His next move was to Colne

=Bamber Bridge=

His next move was to Bamber Bridge{{cite web| url = https://www.leylandguardian.co.uk/sport/football/brig-boss-wields-the-axe-as-striker-ben-departs-1-8337138| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191128155139/https://www.leylandguardian.co.uk/sport/football/brig-boss-wields-the-axe-as-striker-ben-departs-1-8337138| archive-date = 2019-11-28| title = Brig boss wields the axe as striker Ben departs - Leyland Guardian}}

=Brighouse Town=

His next move was to Brighouse Town.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/brighousetownafc/news/welcome-to-ben-wharton-1746492.html |title=Brighouse Town AFC: Welcome To Ben Wharton |first=Ray |last=Mclaughlin |date=25 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128155245/https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/brighousetownafc/news/welcome-to-ben-wharton-1746492.html |archive-date=November 28, 2019}} He left the club in January 2017.{{cite web |title=Brig boss wields the axe as striker Ben departs |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/brig-boss-wields-axe-striker-ben-departs-748470 |publisher=Lancashire Post |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=16 January 2017}}

=Droylsden=

His next move in July 2017 took him to Droylsden.{{cite web|author=Non-League News |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/headlines/busy-busy-bloods/ |title=Busy, Busy Bloods - Pitchero Non-League |publisher=Nonleague.pitchero.com |date=2017-07-25 |access-date=2021-12-16}}

=Curzon Ashton=

In August 2017 he moved to Curzon Ashton.{{cite tweet|number=896357837689028609|user=CurzonAshton|title=📝NEW SIGNING | We are delighted to announce the signing of striker Ben Wharton from Droylsden! Welcome to Curzon,… |date=12 August 2017}}

=Radcliffe=

He returned to his former club in 2018, remaining for two seasons.{{cite web| url = https://www.betvictornorthernpremier.co.uk/ben-wharton-departs-radcliffe-60867| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200130082102/https://www.betvictornorthernpremier.co.uk/ben-wharton-departs-radcliffe-60867| archive-date = 2020-01-30| title = Ben Wharton departs Radcliffe - The BetVictor Northern Premier}} In his two spells with the club he made 263 appearances scoring 87 goals.{{cite web |title=Player profile: Ben Wharton |url=https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/play.php?code=WHARB |publisher=Stalybridge Celtic |access-date=9 January 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=Adam |title=Squad update |url=https://www.radcliffefc.com/news/squad-update-2508838.html |publisher=Radcliffe FC |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=2 February 2020}}

=Runcorn Linnets=

Wharton joined Runcorn Linnets in January 2020{{cite web |title=Double transfer is a big deal for Linnets boss |url=https://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/news.asp?item=30012020193023 |publisher=Runcorn Linnets FC |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=30 January 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=James |title=Michael Ellison Boosts Runcorn Squad |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/michael-ellison-boosts-runcorn-squad-60901 |publisher=Northern Premier League |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=31 January 2020}}

=Stalybridge Celtic=

In December 2020 he signed for Stalybridge Celtic{{cite web |last1=Dhamrait |first1=Taran |title=Three arrive as several players depart Bower Fold |url=https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/news.php?id=3158 |publisher=Stalybridge Celtic |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=20 December 2020}} but never appeared for the club.

=Widnes=

In July 2021 he signed for Widnes.{{cite web |last1=Chadwick |first1=Callum |title=lNEW SIGNING: WHARTON BECOMES FIRST SUMMER ADDITION |url=https://www.widnesfootballclub.co.uk/news/new-signing-wharton-becomes-first-summer-addition-2630442.html |publisher=Widnes FC |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=13 July 2021}}

=Bury AFC=

In September he moved to Bury AFC.{{cite web |last1=Ingram |first1=Adam |title=Incoming… Ben Wharton & Frank Jones |url=https://buryafc.uk/2021/09/incoming-ben-wharton-frank-jones/ |publisher=Bury AFC |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=11 September 2021}} He was awarded the North West Counties Football League First Division player of the month award for October.{{cite web |last1=Langley |first1=Gary |title=Player of the Month Announcement October 2021 |url=https://www.nwcfl.com/news-articles.php?id=8567 |publisher=North West Counties Football League |access-date=9 January 2022 |date=9 November 2021}} On 27 March 2022, Wharton scored the second goal for Bury AFC in a 4–0 victory over St Helens Town that saw Bury AFC crowned champions of the NWCFL Division 1 North.{{cite web|url=https://www.burytimes.co.uk/sport/20033994.title-win-everyone-says-emotional-bury-afc-boss-andy-welsh/|title=Title win is for everyone says emotional Bury AFC boss Andy Welch|publisher=Bury Times|last1=Tinniswood|first1=Steve|date=31 March 2022|access-date=31 March 2022}} {{cite web|url=https://buryafc.uk/2022/03/partners-celebrate-treasureline-success/|title=Bury AFC: Champions|website=buryafc.uk|date=27 March 2022|access-date=31 March 2022}}

During the 22/23 season Wharton scored 10 goals in 47 appearances for Bury AFC.{{cite web | url=https://buryafc.uk/player/ben-wharton/ | title=Ben Wharton – Bury AFC }}

=Avro=

In September 2023 he signed for Avro FC {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AvroFC/status/1702768089572524068}}

Style of play

A lower league write up in 'When Saturday Comes' likened Wharton's appearance and playing style to Iain Dowie.{{cite tweet|number=1458795567425986565|user=WSC_magazine|title="@B6nWharton is tall, with white-blond hair and the sort of upper body that demands the word 'torso'. He's like a n…|date=11 November 2021}}