| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Francis Joseph Chorley[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1982-09-30)30 September 1982 (age 42) | ||
| Place of birth | Sidcup, England[2] | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2001 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2003 | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| 2002 | →Brentford (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | Wimbledon | 45 | (2) |
| 2004–2007 | Milton Keynes Dons | 80 | (3) |
| 2006–2007 | →Gillingham (loan) | 27 | (1) |
| 2007–2009 | Tranmere Rovers | 76 | (2) |
| 2009–2013 | Leyton Orient | 131 | (7) |
| 2013–2014 | Stevenage | 12 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Portsmouth | 28 | (0) |
| 2015–2018 | Bromley | 80 | (0) |
| Total | 481 | (15) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2021–2022 | Swindon Town (Director of Football) | ||
| 2023– | Valenciennes FC (Director of Football) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Benjamin Francis Joseph Chorley (born 30 September 1982) is an English formerfootballer who played as adefender. He is currently the director of football atValenciennes FC.
Chorley started his career atArsenal, spending several years at the club on youth terms before signing a professional deal in 2001. He spent two months on loan atBrentford at the start of the2002–03 season. Having made no first-team appearances for Arsenal, Chorley opted to leave the club and sign forWimbledon in 2003. He continued playing under the club's new guise inMilton Keynes for a further three years from 2004 to 2007. During his final year at MK Dons, Chorley spent the majority of the2006–07 season on loan atGillingham. He left MK Dons in July 2007, and signed a two-year contract withTranmere Rovers. After two years of regular football at Tranmere, Chorley returned to London, signing forLeyton Orient in June 2009. He made over 150 appearances during his three-and-a-half-year spell at Orient, before signing for Stevenage in January 2013 for an undisclosed fee. Chorley's contract was cancelled by mutual consent in January 2014 and he subsequently signed forPortsmouth. After two seasons at Portsmouth, he joined National League side Bromley at the start of the2015–16 season.
Chorley began his career atArsenal as a trainee in 1998, progressing through the club's youth system and playing regularly for the U18 and reserve sides.[4][5] He was part of the team that won theFA Youth Cup in successive seasons, in2000 and 2001 respectively, captaining the side throughout the latter tournament. Chorley signed his first professional contract in 2001, signing a two-year deal with Arsenal.[4] He was subsequently loaned out toBrentford at the start of the2002–03 season to gain match experience and made three appearances in all competitions during the two-month loan agreement.[6][7][8] Chorley's first appearance in professional football was in Brentford's 3–3 draw away atAFC Bournemouth in theLeague Cup in September 2002, playing the first 45 minutes of the match.[8] He returned to Arsenal, and a year into his contract, Chorley sensed that there was "little prospect" of first-team selection, and subsequently requested a move away from the North London side.[4] With eight months remaining on his deal, having not made a first-team appearance for Arsenal, he left the club and opted to sign forWimbledon.[4]
Chorley made his first-team debut for Wimbledon immediately after signing for the club, playing the whole match in a 2–0 victory overMillwall atSelhurst Park on 15 March 2003.[9] He went on to make ten appearances during the latter stages of the 2002–03 season.[8] The following campaign was Chorley's breakthrough year in first-team football, playing regularly for Wimbledon in what was ultimately their last season beforethe club relocated to Milton Keynes.[10] Chorley scored his first goal in professional football in April 2004, netting the only goal of the game as Wimbledon beat eventual championsWigan Athletic at theJJB Stadium.[11] A week after scoring his first ever goal, he doubled his goal tally, netting in a 3–3 home draw withPreston North End.[12] Chorley was part of the starting line-up for Wimbledon's 1–0 victory overDerby County,[13] the club's last ever league match as Wimbledon.[14] He made 38 appearances during the campaign,[10] a season in which Wimbledon were relegated to League One after finishing bottom of the league table.[15]
Chorley opted to play for the club under their new guise,Milton Keynes Dons, following the club's relocation from Wimbledon to Milton Keynes. He admitted the decision was difficult, due to Wimbledon being very local for him, whilst he had to travel "quite far" to Milton Keynes.[16] Chorley was made club captain during the season.[17] He made his first appearance of the2004–05 campaign in a 3–1 home loss to Bournemouth on 21 August 2004.[17] He scored two goals within the space of three days in October 2004; firstly scoring a header in a 3–2 defeat toHull City,[18] before netting a late consolation goal from the penalty spot as MK Dons were defeated 3–1 atHuddersfield Town.[19] The two goals turned out to be Chorley's only goals of the season, as he went on to make 47 appearances for the club in all competitions.[17] This included an appearance on the final day of the season; a 2–1 home win overTranmere Rovers ultimately meant MK Dons survived relegation toLeague Two, withTorquay United suffering relegation instead on goal difference.[20][21] A month after securing League One status for another season, in June 2005, Chorley signed a new two-year with the club.[22] MK Dons managerDanny Wilson stated – "He is a tremendous captain and solid centre-half – you look for strong characters to lead the team and there are none stronger than Ben. I'm really pleased he is staying".[22] The first half of Chorley's2005–06 season was disrupted by suspensions and injuries, receiving two red cards, as well as suffering a recurring thigh injury.[23][24][25][26] Chorley featured regularly during the latter stages of the campaign, making 29 appearances,[27] but could not prevent the club from being relegated to League Two as a result of a 22nd-place finish.[28]
Having featured regularly for MK Dons during the opening months of the following campaign,[29] Chorley was one of six players that had been transfer-listed by new managerMartin Allen at MK Dons, in order for Allen to "make room for new signings".[30] Chorley stated that he was "stunned" to be transfer-listed – "I felt I was quite an important member of the team. I feel I did well and always gave 100%. I was surprised but things change and I wasn't going to play".[31] Just three days after being transfer-listed, Chorley joined League One sideGillingham on a three-month loan deal.[32] After being deemed fit to play,[33] he made his debut for Gillingham as a second-half substitute forAndrew Crofts in a 2–0 home win overCarlisle United two days after joining the club.[34] His first goal for the club ultimately turned out to be the winner as Gillingham came from two goals down to secure a 3–2 away win over Tranmere Rovers in December 2006.[35] A month later, Chorley signed a loan extension with the Kent club, meaning he would remain at the club for the remainder of the2006–07 season.[36] He made 27 appearances, of which 24 were starting,[29] as Gillingham finished the season in 16th place.[37] At the end of the campaign, on 8 May 2007, Gillingham stated that Chorley's loan agreement with the club had ended, and that he would return to his parent club.[38][39] On his return to MK Dons, his contract was terminated by mutual consent, and the player was able to look for a new club on a free transfer.[40] During Chorley's three-year association with Milton Keynes Dons, he made 91 appearances and scored three goals.[41]
In July 2007, Chorley signed forTranmere Rovers ofLeague One, joining on a two-year contract.[42] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the2007–08 season, as Tranmere lost 2–1 at home toLeeds United at a packedPrenton Park.[43] Chorley scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 away win atSouthend United in October 2007, volleying homePaul McLaren's corner to give Tranmere the lead – the win stretched the club's unbeaten run to nine games.[44] It was to be his only goal of the campaign, making 36 appearances in a season where he was in and out of the first-team due to facing tough competition from fellow central defenderAntony Kay.[45][46] His second year at Tranmere saw Chorley become an integral part of the side, playing in 45 of the 46 league matches, as well as making a further eight appearances in cup competitions.[47] During the season, Chorley doubled his goal tally for the club, scoring in a 2–1 loss toHartlepool United atVictoria Park in March 2009.[48] Tranmere narrowly missed out on the final play-off position after drawing 1–1 withScunthorpe United on the last day of the season,[49] with Scunthorpe subsequently holding onto sixth place after scoring an equaliser with two minutes remaining.[50] It was to be Chorley's last game for the club.[51] He made 89 appearances during his two-year spell with the Merseyside club.[51]
Chorley left Tranmere when his contract expired at the end of the2008–09 season, rejecting the club's offer of a contract extension.[51][52] He subsequently signed forLeague One sideLeyton Orient on a two-year deal in June 2009.[53] Leyton Orient chief executive Matt Porter revealed that eight clubs had tried to sign Chorley after it was announced he would become a free agent.[53] He made his debut for Orient in the club's first game of the new season, playing the whole match in a 2–1 away victory atBristol Rovers on 8 August 2009.[54] Chorley was almost ever present during his first season with the club, making 47 appearances in all competitions, and scoring once in a 2–1 away loss atMillwall in April 2010.[55][56] He remained a regular feature in Orient's defence during the2010–11 season, and was made club captain during the campaign.[57] Chorley hit a rich vein of goalscoring form midway through the season, scoring twice in two games againstRochdale,[58][59] as well as in convincing home victories overDroylsden andSheffield Wednesday respectively.[60][61] The season also marked the opportunity for Chorley to face the team he grew up playing for, Arsenal, as Orient held the Premier League side to a draw in theFA Cup fifth round at Brisbane Road,[62] before eventually losing in the replay at theEmirates Stadium.[63] He made 41 appearances during the season, scoring four times, as an injury sustained in March 2011 limited his first-team appearances for the remainder of the campaign.[64] At the end of the season, Chorley signed a new two-year contract with the club, on a deal that would run until the summer of 2013.[65]
He started in the club's first game of the2011–12 season, a 1–0 defeat toWalsall at theBescot Stadium.[66] It took Chorley just seven games to score his first goal of the new season, scoring a penalty in a 3–2 home win over Bristol Rovers in the League Cup.[67] He also scored a 90th-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw away toHuddersfield Town on 24 September 2011, netting from close range in a match that Orient had trailed by two goals.[68] Shortly after the club's next match, Chorley suffered an injury that ruled him out for two months.[69] He returned to the first-team in December 2011, but a red card in a 1–0 win over Stevenage would mean he missed another three matches.[70] During the campaign, he played in 37 games and scored twice,[69] in a season that witnessed Leyton Orient narrowly avoid relegation, finishing just above the four relegation places.[71] Chorley was again a permanent fixture during the first half of Leyton Orient's2012–13 season, making 34 appearances and spending most of the season as club captain as a result ofNathan Clarke's absence.[72] He scored twice for Orient during the season, with his goals coming in 4–1 victories overYeovil Town andCarlisle United respectively.[73][74] With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, and reported interest from other League One sides, Chorley spoke with Leyton Orient managerRussell Slade about a move away from Brisbane Road,[75] citing a need for a longer contract.[57][76] During his three-and-a-half-year tenure with the club, he made 159 appearances in all competitions and scored nine goals.[77]
In January 2013, Chorley signed forStevenage for an undisclosed fee, on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[78][79] The move reunited Chorley with Stevenage managerGary Smith, who had coached the player during his time at Wimbledon.[78][80] He made his debut two days after signing, against his former club Leyton Orient, playing the whole match in a 1–0 defeat.[81] In March 2013, having made eight appearances for Stevenage, Chorley underwent a double hernia operation that would ultimately rule him out for the remainder of the2012–13 season.[82]
On 20 January 2014, Chorley joinedPortsmouth on an 18-month contract.[83] On 17 July 2014, he was named as Team Captain for the 14/15 season, withJohnny Ertl continuing as Club Captain.[84] On 18 May 2015, Portsmouth announced that they would be releasing Chorley when his contract expired in June.[85]
In July 2021, Chorley was appointed director of football atSwindon Town.[86] Chorley resigned from his role on 30 May 2022.[87]
In June 2023, Chorley was appointed Director of Football atLigue 2 clubValenciennes FC.[88]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal | 2001–02[90] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002–03[91] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Brentford (loan) | 2002–03[92] | Second Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Wimbledon | 2002–03[92] | First Division | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2003–04[93] | 35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 | ||
| Total | 45 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 2 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons | 2004–05[94] | League One | 41 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 47 | 2 |
| 2005–06[95] | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07[96] | League Two | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| Total | 80 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 91 | 3 | ||
| Gillingham (loan) | 2006–07[96] | League One | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Tranmere Rovers | 2007–08[97] | League One | 31 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| 2008–09[98] | 45 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 53 | 1 | ||
| Total | 76 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 89 | 2 | ||
| Leyton Orient | 2009–10[99] | League One | 42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 47 | 1 |
| 2010–11[100] | 29 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 41 | 4 | ||
| 2011–12[101] | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1[a] | 0 | 37 | 2 | ||
| 2012–13[102] | 28 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 34 | 2 | ||
| Total | 131 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 159 | 9 | ||
| Stevenage | 2012–13[102] | League One | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2013–14[103] | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Total | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||
| Portsmouth | 2013–14[103] | League Two | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014–15[104] | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| Total | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||
| Bromley | 2015–16[105] | National League | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
| 2016–17[105] | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18[105] | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5[b] | 0 | 28 | 0 | |||
| Total | 80 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | 87 | 0 | |||
| Career totals | 481 | 15 | 31 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 549 | 17 | ||
Arsenal
Bromley
Individual
