Ben Purrington

Ben Purrington
Purrington playing for Rotherham United in 2017
Personal information
Full name Ben Purrington
Date of birth (1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 (age 30)
Place of birth Exeter, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Bristol Rovers
Number 14
Youth career
2005–2013 Plymouth Argyle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Plymouth Argyle 52 (0)
2017–2019 Rotherham United 20 (0)
2018–2019 → AFC Wimbledon (loan) 26 (0)
2019 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 18 (0)
2019–2022 Charlton Athletic 86 (7)
2022–2024 Ross County 23 (1)
2024–2025 Exeter City 33 (1)
2025–2026 Cambridge United 34 (0)
2026– Bristol Rovers 5 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:10, 12 September 2026 (UTC)

Ben Purrington (born 20 May 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back, left wing-back, left midfielder or left winger for EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers.

Career

Plymouth Argyle

Purrington was born in Exeter, Devon. He joined the Plymouth Argyle youth academy in September 2005 when he was nine. He signed his first professional contract in May 2013. Seven months later, Purrington made his first-team debut in a League Two match against Oxford United, and scored his first senior goal in his fourth match; an FA Cup tie with Port Vale.

He soon became a regular in the side after an injury suffered to teammate Gary Sawyer at the beginning of the 2016–17 season.

Rotherham United

On 30 January 2017, Purrington completed a move to Championship side Rotherham United for a reported £300,000 fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut in a 1–0 away defeat to Bristol City on 4 February 2017.

Loans to AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic

Purrington joined League One club AFC Wimbledon on 1 August 2018 on loan for the 2018–19 season. He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in an FA Cup tie against Halifax Town on 1 December 2018. He was recalled to Rotherham United on 10 January 2019.

On the same day as his recall, Purrington joined League One club Charlton Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

Charlton Athletic

On 2 July 2019, Purrington joined Charlton Athletic on a three-year contract.

On 13 June 2022, it was confirmed that Purrington would be leaving Charlton Athletic following the expiration of his contract.

Ross County

On 29 June 2022, Purrington signed a two-year deal at Ross County.

Exeter City

On 11 January 2024, Purrington signed an 18-month contract at Exeter City.

On 5 May 2025, Exeter announced the player would leave the club in June when his contract expired.

Cambridge United

On 23 June 2025, Purrington agreed to join League Two side Cambridge United on a one-year deal upon the expiration of his contract with Exeter City. On 6 May 2026 the club announced he was being released.

Bristol Rovers

On 11 June 2026, Purrington agreed to return to League Two following promotion the previous season, joining Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal.

Personal life

Purrington's uncle is former England rugby union player Richard Hill. Purrington is the older brother of Tom Purrington, who also plays football semi-professionally as a midfielder for Taunton Town.

Career statistics

As of match played 12 September 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Plymouth Argyle 2013–14 League Two 120210000141
2014–15 League Two 8010000090
2015–16 League Two 130000030160
2016–17 League Two 190300030250
Total 520610060641
Rotherham United 2016–17 Championship 100———100
2017–18 League One 100001010120
2018–19 Championship 00———00
Total 200001010220
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2018–19 League One 260310010301
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2018–19 League One 180——31211
Charlton Athletic 2019–20 Championship 3120000—312
2020–21 League One 282102010322
2021–22 League One 273200021314
Total 10473020621159
Ross County 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 110005120181
2023–24 Scottish Premiership 1210020—141
Total 231007120322
Exeter City 2023–24 League One 121———121
2024–25 League One 210101040270
Total 331101040391
Cambridge United 2025–26 League Two 340300010380
Bristol Rovers 2026–27 League Two 5100100061
Career total 2921016212120234015
  1. ↑ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, one in League Two play-offs
  2. ↑ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy
  3. ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy
  4. ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy
  5. ↑ Three appearances in the League One play-offs
  6. ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy
  7. ↑ Two appearances in the EFL Trophy
  8. ↑ Two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  9. ↑ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy

Honours

Rotherham United

Charlton Athletic

Cambridge United

References

  1. ↑ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Ben Purrington". Rotherham United F.C. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ben Purrington". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle FC player profiles: Ben Purrington". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. ↑ Metcalf, Rupert (20 May 2013). "Ben Purrington promoted to professional ranks by Plymouth Argyle". Western Morning News. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014.
  6. ↑ Errington, Chris (26 December 2013). "Reuben Reid double inspires Argyle to dramatic win at Oxford". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Errington, Chris (27 December 2013). "Teenage prospect Purrington enjoys his Argyle debut". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Errington, Chris (5 January 2014). "Port Vale 2 Plymouth Argyle 2: Match report". Plymouth Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  9. ↑ "Millers complete deal for Plymouth youngster Purrington". Rotherham United F.C. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Ben Purrington: AFC Wimbledon sign left-back on season-long loan from Rotherham". BBC Sport. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  12. ↑ "Halifax 1–3 Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  13. ↑ "READ | Purrington recalled from AFC Wimbledon loan". Rotherham United Official Site. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  14. ↑ "READ | Purrington makes Charlton loan switch". Rotherham United Official Site. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "Wembley hero Ben Purrington signs on a permanent deal". Charlton Athletic. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "Ben Purrington to depart Charlton". Charlton Athletic Official Site. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Purrington joins Ross County". Ross County Official Site. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  18. ↑ "Ben Purrington signs for the Grecians!". Exeter City Official Site. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "Exeter City Retained List 2025 | Exeter City F.C." www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "Ben Purrington signs". www.cambridgeunited.com. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  21. ↑ "Michael Morrison: Cambridge United captain leaving U's ending 21-year association". BBC Sport. 6 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "Bristol Rovers confirm signing of Ben Purrington". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ben Purrington: Nephew of rugby star makes Plymouth impact". BBC Sport. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  25. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  26. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  27. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  33. 1 2 "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Ben Purrington in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  37. ↑ Scott, Ged (27 May 2018). "Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  38. ↑ Law, James (26 May 2019). "Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  39. ↑ "Crewe Alexandra 0-0 Cambridge United: U's win promotion from League Two". BBC Sport. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.