Ben Swallow
Swallow playing for York City in 2012
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Owen Swallow[1]
Date of birth (1989-10-20) 20 October 1989[1]
Place of birth Barry, Wales
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1999–2006 Cardiff City
2006–2008 Bristol Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2012 Bristol Rovers 40 (0)
2008 → Taunton Town (loan) 3 (0)
2008 → Bridgwater Town (loan)
2009 → Chippenham Town (loan)
2009 → Mangotsfield United (loan)
2011 → Bath City (loan) 9 (0)
2012 York City 2 (0)
2012–2013 Newport County 20 (2)
2013–2014 Bromley 10 (1)
2014 Dartford 11 (0)
2014–2017 Havant & Waterlooville 73 (6)
2017 → Margate (loan) 3 (0)
2017–2018 Bognor Regis Town 40 (0)
2018–2019 Weston-super-Mare 20 (0)
2019 → Merthyr Town (loan) 14 (0)
2019–2020 Merthyr Town 22 (0)
2020–2021 Redditch United 2 (0)
2021–2022 Merthyr Town 0 (0)
International career
2012 Wales Semi-Pro 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:00, 19 November 2020 (UTC)

Benjamin Owen Swallow (born 20 October 1989) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a winger.

Early life

Born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan,[1] Swallow attended Eglwys Newydd Primary School in Whitchurch, Cardiff from 1994 to 2001.[2]

Club career

Cardiff City and Bristol Rovers

Swallow played schoolboy football for Cardiff City for seven years before being released and went on to spend two years with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, playing for the College side and Bristol Rovers' under-18 team.[3][4][5] After finishing at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College he signed his first professional contract with Rovers during the summer of 2008, ahead of the start of the 2008–09 season.[4] He joined Southern Football League Division One South & West side Taunton Town on loan in September 2008,[6] making his debut in a 4–0 defeat away at Gosport Borough.[7] Swallow made five appearances for Taunton in all competitions before signing for Bridgwater Town of the Southern Football League Division One South & West on a one-month loan in November.[7][8] He started a one-month loan with Southern Football League Premier Division side Chippenham Town on 20 February 2009.[9] Swallow started his fourth and final loan of the season after joining Southern Football League Premier Division side Mangotsfield United in April.[10]

Swallow had earned much praise for his pre-season performances in 2009,[5] and his senior debut came on 11 August, when he played in a League Cup first round tie against Aldershot Town, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Sean Rigg.[11]

On 9 November 2010, Swallow scored his first senior goal for the club in a 6–3 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the Football League Trophy. He scored his second goal for Rovers in the next round of the Football League Trophy against Exeter City.

On 31 August 2011, Swallow joined Conference Premier side Bath City on a three-month loan.[12] After making nine appearances for Bath he was recalled by Rovers on 16 November because of injury problems in the team.[13]

On 4 December, Swallow came on as a second-half substitute against AFC Totton in the FA Cup second round. Rovers were 4–1 up, and Swallow was sent off for a reckless challenge after just six minutes, which drew criticism from manager Paul Buckle, although Rovers went on to win 6–1.[14] Later that month he was told he could leave the club on a free transfer.[15] Conference Premier side York City made a failed attempt to sign Swallow during January 2012,[16] before he was released by Rovers after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 31 January.[17]

York City

Swallow eventually signed for York on a contract until the end of the 2011–12 season on 2 February 2012.[18] He made his debut in York's 1–0 victory at home to Ebbsfleet United in the FA Trophy third round on 14 February.[19] Swallow was released by York on 13 April 2012 because of an internal issue reported as his lack of punctuality at training sessions.[20]

Newport County

On 10 August 2012, Swallow signed for Conference Premier club Newport County on an initial one-month contract which was subsequently extended.[21] He was part of the Newport team that reached the Conference Premier play-offs in the 2012–13 season, in which he made 23 appearances and scored 2 goals. Swallow was not part of the matchday squad as Newport won the 2013 Conference Premier play-off final versus Wrexham at Wembley Stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to League Two.[22] He was released by Newport on 11 May 2013.[23]

Bromley

He joined Conference South team Bromley on 10 September 2013 following a successful trial. He made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 win over Staines Town on 14 September 2013. Following further substitute appearances in victories against Concord Rangers and Basingstoke Town, his first start for the club came in the FA Cup Second qualifying round against Burgess Hill Town on 28 September 2013. Bromley went on to win the match 1–0, with Swallow providing the assist for the goal, scored by Shamir Mullings. He scored his first goal for Bromley on 5 October 2013, in a 1–1 away draw with Boreham Wood. He left the club on 13 January 2014, having made 15 appearances in all competitions and scoring one goal.

Dartford

On 20 January 2014, Swallow signed for Dartford, and was given the number 19 shirt. He made his debut in a 5–1 win over Woking on 18 February, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute. In May 2014, Swallow was released by Dartford after spending six months with the club, making eleven appearances.[24]

Havant & Waterlooville

In July 2014 trailed with Havant & Waterlooville F.C. and played 45 minutes on 10 July against Horndean FC.[25] He was than after successful trial signed on 11 July 2014 by the Hawks.[26]

Redditch United

Swallow signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Redditch United on 4 October 2020.[27]

International career

Swallow was called up to the Wales semi-professional squad for the match versus Turkey in October 2012 and made his debut in the starting line-up.[28]

Style of play

Swallow plays primarily as a left winger and can also operate at left back.[3] He has been praised for his crossing ability, his ability to hold the ball up and his workrate.[4]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 April 2014.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol Rovers 2008–09[29] League One 0000000000
2009–10[30] League One 23010201[lower-alpha 1]0270
2010–11[31] League One 17010102[lower-alpha 1]2212
2011–12[19] League Two 0010000010
Total 400303032492
Taunton Town (loan) 2008–09[7] Southern League Division One South & West 3000—2[lower-alpha 2]050
Bath City (loan) 2011–12[19] Conference Premier 9000—0090
York City 2011–12[19] Conference Premier 2000—1[lower-alpha 3]030
Newport County 2012–13[32] Conference Premier 20220—1[lower-alpha 3]0232
Bromley 2013–14[33] Conference South 10120—3[lower-alpha 4]0151
Dartford 2013–14[33] Conference Premier 11000—00110
Career total 95370301021135
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ One appearance in Somerset Premier Cup, one in FA Trophy
  3. 1 2 Appearance in FA Trophy
  4. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, one in London Senior Cup, one in Kent Senior Cup

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 395. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "Hall of Fame". Eglwys Newydd Primary School. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Ben's goal". Bristol Rovers F.C. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "First Team". Bristol Rovers F.C. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Swallow catches the eye in win for Bristol Rovers". Bristol Evening Post. 20 July 2009. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  6. ↑ "Three players move on loan". Bristol Rovers F.C. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 Appearances and goals for this season are taken from:
    "Taunton Town v Cirencester Town". Taunton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
    "Taunton Town v Gosport Borough". Taunton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
    "Taunton Town v Weston-super-Mare SPC". Taunton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
    "Taunton Town v Winchester City FAT". Taunton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
    "Taunton Town v Thatcham Town". Taunton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "JKD moves to Newport on loan". Bristol Rovers F.C. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "Swallow moves out on loan". Bristol Rovers F.C. 20 February 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "Latest moves..." Non-League Daily. 5 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Bristol Rovers will take time to replace Lambert as Duffy and Swallow shine against Aldershot". Bristol Evening Post. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bristol Rovers midfielder Ben Swallow in Bath City loan". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  13. ↑ "Bristol Rovers recall Ben Swallow from Bath City loan". BBC Sport. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "Bristol Rovers boss condemns Ben Swallow's red card". BBC Sport. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  15. ↑ "Bristol Rovers let Ben Swallow & Charlie Clough leave". BBC Sport. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  16. ↑ Flett, Dave (9 January 2012). "Midfielder Andre Boucaud misses York City's Imps win as Mills weighs up bid". The Press. York. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Bristol Rovers bring in Jim Paterson on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  18. ↑ "York City sign Ben Swallow and Chris Doig". BBC Sport. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Appearances and goals for this season are taken from:
    "Games played by Ben Swallow in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
    Flett, Dave (15 February 2012). "Match report: York City 1, Ebbsfleet United 0 – FA Trophy third round". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  20. ↑ Flett, Dave (13 April 2012). "Wemb-glee lifts York City to the delight of manager Gary Mills". The Press. York. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  21. ↑ Pearlman, Michael (10 August 2012). "County add three more to squad". South Wales Argus. Newport. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  22. ↑ Hughes, Dewi (5 May 2013). "Wrexham 0–2 Newport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  23. ↑ Pearlman, Michael (11 May 2013). "Justin Edinburgh wields the axe on trio". South Wales Argus. Newport. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  24. ↑ "Alan Julian has accepted an offer he couldn't refuse, says Dartford boss Tony Burman". Kentish Football. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  25. ↑ "Swallow Becomes a Hawk!". Havant & Waterlooville F.C. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  26. ↑ "Ben Swallow - From A Bluebird to a Hawk". Havant & Waterlooville F.C. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  27. ↑ "Plenty of New Faces at Redditch". Southern-Football-League.co.uk. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  28. ↑ Pearlman, Michael (17 October 2012). "They don't always win!". South Wales Argus. Newport. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Ben Swallow in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Ben Swallow in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Ben Swallow in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  32. ↑ Appearances and goals for this season are taken from:
    "Games played by Ben Swallow in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
    "Yate Town vs. Newport County 3 – 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
    "Newport County vs. Yate Town 1 – 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
    "Welling United vs. Newport County 2 – 0". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  33. 1 2 "B. Swallow". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
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