ben alnwick - fact file

2007 -  2012           goalkeeper

 

FULL NAME :  BENJAMIN ROBERT ALNWICK

Born on 1st January 1987 in Prudhoe, Nortumberland, England.

Height : - 1.88m

Weight : -  95.3 kgs


Ben Alnwick broke into the Sunderland first team in the 2004-05 season and made 22 appearances for the North-East club before being signed by Spurs on 2nd January 2006 for a fee of £900,000, which could have risen to £1.3 million depending on the conditions attached to the deal.

As a youngster, Alnwick was capped by England at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 levels, before he broke into the squad for the England Under-21s for their UEFA European Championship qualifier against Moldova.

Involved in a newspaper scandal before he left Sunderland when he was shown in a sex video with a 16 year old girl on the Internet.

Signed as one for the future, Ben failed to displace neither Paul Robinson nor Radek Cerny in the first team in his first season at the club, so moved to Luton Town, but was recalled on 24th October 2007 because of an injury to Paul Rbinson.  He did go out on loan again, this time to Leicester City in January 2008, but he returned to Tottenham for pre-season training ahead of the 2008-09 season.  However, with the signing of the experienced Cesar Sanchez, Alnwick was consigned to the reserves until he joined Carlisle United on loan for a month in October 2008.

When Ben returned to Spurs, he found a new manager in charge and he got his chance under Harry Redknapp when Gomes was injured and he was thrust into the League Cup semi-final second leg at Turf Moor, where he made a couple of mistakes, but Spurs managed to go through on aggregate after extra time.  He featured in the next match - a Fourth Round FA Cup tie at Old Trafford - and made one more appearance at the end of the 2009-10 season at Burnley in a 2-3 defeat after Spurs had already secured fourth place in the table.  In between he had gone on loan to Norwich City, only to pick up a hip injury and return early, then in October 2010, he went to Leeds United on a month's loan. 

In the spring of 2011, he joined Doncaster Rovers on loan as cover for the injured Neil Sullivan, but failed to make an appearance, with a further loan at Leyton Orient in the latter part of the 2011, making a few appearances in an impressive stint at Brisbane Road, where he had replaced injured Spurs team-mate David Button, who had been the previous loan keeper.

On 1st June 2012, Ben was released from his contract by Tottenham and signed a deal with Championship side Barnsley, getting sent off on his debut with the Tykes.  September 2013 saw him released from his contract with the Yorkshire side and two days later he signed for Charlton Athletic as a free agent.  In January 2014, Alnwick returned to Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee transfer, but an injury reduced his time there.  After two months at Brisbane Road, Ben left for personal reasons, with his contract being cancelled on 24th March and during the summer of 2014 had trials with Bradford City and Blackpool.  However, just when it looked like he was about to sign for the Tangerines, he was offered a three year deal with Peterborough United and signed with the London Road outfit.

Two years into his time at Peterborough, Alnwick asked to be released form his contract for personal reasons and on 31st August 2016, he was released from his deal with the club.  The same day, he joined Bolton Wanderers and at the end of the season, his performances had won him the club's supporters' Player of the Year as the club gained promotion as runners-up in League 1.  With the Trotters going into administration and with a huge debt causing problems in retaining staff and being deducted points, Alnwick failed to begin a game in the first half of the season and had his contract cancelled in December 2019 with immediate effect.

 

Career Record
 
Club Signed Fee Debut Apps Goals
Sunderland (academy scholar) July 2003 - - - -
Sunderland (professional) March 2004 - April 2005 v Leicester City   22 0
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2nd January 2006 £900,000 21st January 2009  v Burnley (League Cup Semi-Final second leg)  lost 2-3 [a.e.t.] 3 0
Luton Town September - October 2007 Loan ?? 4 0
Leicester City 7th January 2008 Loan ??  8 0
Carlisle United 16th October - November 2008 Loan ??  6 0
Norwich City July 2009 - 5th September 2009 Loan v Yeovil Town (won 4-0) 6 0
Leeds United 15th October - November 2010 Loan ??  0 0
Doncaster Rovers 4th March - 9th April 2011 Loan ??  0 0
Leyton Orient 10th September - January 2012 Loan ??  8 0
Barnsley 4th July 2012 Free 11th August 2012 v Rochdale (League Cup) (away)  won 5-3  [sent off] 12 0
Charlton Athletic 4th September 2013 Free ?? 12 0
Leyton Orient 31st January 2014 Undisclosed 1st February 2014 v Rotherham United (League One) (away)  lost 1-2 1 0
Bradford City Summer 2014 Trial ??  ?? ??
Blackpool Summer 2014 Trial 19th July 2014 v Penrith (Friendly) (away) won 4-1 1 0
Peterborough United 25th July 2014 Free ??  97 0
Bolton Wanderers 31st August 2016 Free ??  95 0
- ?? ?? ??  ?? ??

Career Record
Sunderland
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
European appearances; goals
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
European appearances; goals
Luton Town (loan)

- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Leicester City (loan)
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Carlisle United (loan)

- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Norwich City (loan)

- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Leeds United (loan)
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Doncaster Rovers (loan)

- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Leyton Orient (loan)
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Barnsley
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Leyton Orient
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Bradford City (trial)
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Blackpool (trial)
0 League appearances; 0 goals
0 FA Cup appearances; 0 goals
0 League Cup appearances; 0 goals
1 Other appearances; 0 goals
Peterborough United
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
Bolton Wanderers
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
- -
- League appearances; goals
- FA Cup appearances; goals
- League Cup appearances; goals
- Other appearances; goals
 

Honours
England international
0 full caps;  0 goals
Under-21
1 cap; 0 goals
Debut 2007 v Romania (friendly) (Ashton Gate) Won 1-0.
Under-19
2 caps; 0 goals
Under-18
2 caps; 0 goals
Under-17
11 caps; 0 goals
Under-16
4 caps; 0 goals
Runners-up League One medal 2016-2017  (Bolton Wanderers)

 

2010

Loves dogs. Had a boxer and a labrador as a child.  Has a Johnson's Bulldog called Buster. 

Loves stand-up comedy DVDs.  His favourite is Jimmy Carr.

Likes dance and thinks he is a bit like Justin Timberlake. 

Would love to be able to play the guitar.

Has learned a lot from Heurelho Gomes, who he describes as a “top goalkeeper.”

Also said that goalkeeping coach Tony Parks has been a massive influence on him.  Parks says that Ben is a player who listens and learns.

Favourite holiday destination is Mexico.  Stayed in Cancun and liked it so much he would definitely go back again.

Always on listening to music his iPod.  Favourite band is Kings of Leon and likes “Show Me” by Robin S.

Young brother Jak is a goalkeeper at Sunderland Academy and Newcastle United (trainee 2008).

Was called into the U21 squad for the first time in August 2006 for the first time for a game against Moldova.  Made his debut in 2007 v Romania at Ashton Gate.

Favourite journey is up the M1 to see his family in the North-East.

Was a Man U fan as a kid, with posters of Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel and Andy Cole on his walls. 

Won promotion with Sunderland in 2004-05 who finished Champions, taking over from Thomas Myrhe in the last three games to put in match winning performances.

Enjoyed kick-boxing as a youngster as his father Rob was a coach.  Had to decide whether to go for a career in football or kick-boxing. 

Started playing football for his town side of Prudhoe Youth.
 

2009

Do you like travelling ?  : -  Yes.  When we go away it is nice ot have your own room to relax and I watch a lot of films on my laptop.  I also enjoy going away on holiday and am rarely in the country during the summer.
Favourite place visited ?  : -  Cancun, Mexico
What do you always bring back ?  : -  Small presents for my little brother and sister
What is your favourite journey ?  : -  Up the M1, the trip home to see my family in the North-East
What is the longest walk you have ever had ?  When I was a kid I cycled 10 miles with some mates and got a puncture, so had to walk back
Favourite car ?  : -  Range Rover Sport I have now
Do you read when travelling ? : -  No,  I might pick up a magazine every now and then, but I am not keen on reading books
Do you listen to music or do you prefer radio or TV ?  : -  I always have music on - at home or in the car
How many CDs do you have ?  : -  Most of my music is on my laptop, but I have about 50 in the car
What is your favourite CD ?  : -  All my dance and funky house CDs, but  I do like the Kings of Leon too
What is your favourite track ever ?  : - "Show Me Love" by Robin S
What is your most embarrassing CD ?  : -  One I made up when I was 14 or 15 full of rave tunes and head-bangers
Do you watch DVDs ? : -  Yes, I enjoy watching all DVDs, especially stand up comedians ... the last one I watched was Jimmy Carr
What person from history would you like to sit next to on a long airplane flight ?  : -  My girlfriend Amanda
Whose dance moves did you try to copy as a youngster ?  Michael Jackson, although now I am more like Justin Timberlake
Whose poster did you have on your bedroom wall ?  : -  Pamela Anderson and Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel and Andy Cole, as I was a Man U fan
What is your first footballing memory ?  : -  Man U winning the Champions League final in 1999.  I remember pulling my shirt over my head and running around the room when the goals went in
Among your mates, who was the best player ? : -  Rhys Davies, who had trials with Newcastle and Sunderland but didn't make it as he didn't have the right attitude
What trick did you practice ? : -  I can do a lot for a goalkeeper, but the one I used to practice was the Ryan Gigs one of flicking the ball up and catching it on the back of your neck
What sports did you play at school other than football ? : -  Outside of school I did boxing and kick-boxing three or four times a week.  My Dad was a professional kick-boxer and coach and I loved it ... so much so that at one time it was a toss-up as to whether I became a footballer of a kick-boxer
What talent would you like to have ?  : -  To play the guitar or to speak Spanish, so that I could tell Cesar (Sanchez) what I think of him !
Had you ever been to White Hart Lane before you signed for Spurs ? : -  Yes, I played for Sunderland when we got beaten 3-2.  Spurs had Paul Robinson and Robbie Keane playing for them and I saved a penalty from Robbie.  White Hart Lane was always my favourite ground, as it is a fantastic arena to play football with a great atmosphere
Did you have a pet as a child ? : -  Yes, we always had dogs when I was a kid - one Boxer and one Labrador
What makes a home ?  Love and trust
What would you save if your house was on fire ? : -  I can't think of anything, as long as everyone was safe
What is your prize possession ? : -  When I was 18 a friend - Mark Shields - passed away and I have a ring of his, which was given to me and I keep it in a box at my parent's house.  It is very sentimental to me.
Do you prefer to live in the town or the country ? : -  The country.  I am from a small town outside Newcastle and prefer that country lifestyle.  Having dogs, it's good to take them for walks, as I am not someone who likes the busy city life
What couldn't you live without ? : -  My family and girlfriend, they're very important to me of course
What are you most proud of ? : -  The journey from where I came from to where I am and what I am doing now.  A lot of my mates could have been really good footballers, but didn't make it, so I am proud of how I stuck with it and worked hard to get where I am.  I made sacrifices that others might not have wanted to at that time and although it hasn't fully paid off for me yet, it is starting to.
What do wish had never been invented ? : -  Speed cameras - I know they serve a purpose, but they can be a pain as well
 

 

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