Ben Burgess

Benjamin Kieron Burgess (born 9 November 1981) is an English-born Irish retired footballer best known for his time playing for Hull City and Blackpool. He was capped by the Republic of Ireland at U18 and U21 level.

Club career

Early career Burgess began his career with spells as a youth at Oldham Athletic, Stoke City, Everton and joined Blackburn Rovers at age 16, where he stayed until 2002, but made just two league appearances for the club. On 3 October 2000 he went on loan to North Sydney based Northern Spirit in Australia. On 27 May 2007, Burgess was an unused substitute in Blackpool's League One play-off final victory over Yeovil Town at Wembley. On 14 August 2007, Burgess, on as a second-half substitute, scored the only goal of the game as Blackpool beat Huddersfield Town in the first round of the League Cup. On 27 March 2009 Burgess signed a new twelve-month contract with the Seasiders with an option for a further year.

Burgess started the 2009–10 season by scoring in the Seasiders opening day 1–1 draw with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on 8 August 2009.

Cheltenham Town On 22 March 2012 it was confirmed that Burgess would join Cheltenham Town on loan until the end of the season, scoring the second goal of Cheltenham's play-off semi-final first leg at Whaddon Road against Torquay United with a header from "a full 18 yards". After just under two months at Tranmere, Burgess decided to leave the club and retire from professional football. He stated that he felt he could no longer give 100% consistently and felt retirement was appropriate at that time. He went on to thank Tranmere for their continued support.

International career Although born in England, Burgess qualified to play for both England and Republic of Ireland. Burgess chose to represent Ireland and won caps for the U18 and U21 teams.

Personal life Burgess is a Manchester City supporter.

Career statistics

Post-retirement Burgess gained a First class honours degree in Sports Journalism in 2009. After the end of the 2007–08 season he spent time at the Blackpool Gazette as a trainee journalist on work experience. In August 2012, after he had retired from playing football he started writing a weekly column about former club Blackpool for the newspaper. In his first column he revealed that he would be studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, with a view to becoming a primary school teacher. He also began working for BBC Radio Lancashire as a summariser for Blackpool home games. Burgess began working as a teacher in September 2013, but continues some of his media work.

Honours Blackpool Football League Championship play-offs: 2010