As Purr Usual

The left-back, who turned 20 last month, will link up on July 1 to kick off pre-season with a clutch of new Argyle players, as well as Pilgrims who have renewed deals for the new campaign - most recently Louis Rooney and Luke McCormick.

Ben impressed so much in his first season as an apprentice that, in June 2013, he was offered a professional contract and four starts alongside four appearances from the bench that season. The youngster went three better than that in the 2015-16 season and added more strings to his bow, playing in midfield as well as his usual defensive role. 

Ben is a product of Argyle’s Exeter Development Centre, and signed pro terms on his 17th birthday after joining the Centre of Excellence in September 2005 at the age of nine. He skippered our team at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup in 2011 and was a regular in our Under-18s whilst still a schoolboy. Crushingly, Ben then suffered a broken leg but recovered to impress manager John Sheridan in the 15 appearances he made for the Under-18s. 

Once he recovered, Sheridan was keen to give him a chance in the first team, and he was a handed a full debut in the dramatic 3-2 Boxing Day 2013 victory at Oxford United. Ben went on to make 14 appearances during the 2013-14 season and scored his first goal in a draw against FA Cup third-round opponents Port Vale. 

One of the stand-out players of Argyle's youth system in recent years, everyone at Argyle is delighted that Ben has extended his stay at the Theatre of Greens.