Ben Burley

Benjamin Burley (2 November 1907 – 25 January 2003) was an English professional footballer who played as an outside-forward for various clubs in the 1930s, including Southampton, Grimsby Town, Norwich City and Darlington. He was later a coach before becoming manager of Chelmsford City in the 1950s.

Football career

Playing career Burley was born in Sheffield where he was educated at Darnall School and played football as a youth for Netherhope Institute and Woodhouse Mill United. He also played schoolboy football for the Sheffield and Yorkshire F.A.s.

In November 1931, he joined Sheffield United but never made any first-team appearances before a transfer to the south coast to join Southampton of the Football League Second Division in September 1933. Described as a "stocky and thrustful winger",

In the summer of 1934, he moved to Grimsby Town who had just been promoted to the First Division. Burley remained for a season, scoring five goals in 22 appearances

Burley moved on in the summer of 1935, to return to the Second Division with Norwich City. He made his debut on 7 September 1935 and played 35 league matches, scoring four goals, over a three-year period, before joining Darlington in May 1938. In his one season at Feethams, Burley rarely missed a match in the Third Division North, scoring seven goals from 35 league appearances.

During the war, Burley played as a guest for various clubs, including Southend United, Millwall, Brighton & Hove Albion, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace. In Burley's three seasons in charge at Chelmsford, the club finished in the lower half of the Southern League table

Honours As a player Chelmsford City Southern League champions: 1939–40