Members News: ‘Big Ben’ Turner Sadly Forced To Hang Up His Boots!
Ben in the Sky Blue
Sad to say that only a month after our member, former Sky Blue 6’4″ central defender Ben Turner had been appointed Assistant ‘gaffer’ at Derbyshire club Ilkeston Town Ben has been forced to finally hang up his boots due to injury aged 34! Ben had joined the Robins in May 2022 as a central defender but, on the 6th September he stepped up to become assistant manager to fellow player Jamie Ward following the sacking of Martin Carruthers and assistant Wayne Hallcro.
Now it is reported that Ben will have to undergo ankle surgery following an injury sustained earlier this season and will now be able to concentrate full time on his coaching and other interests (as well as, reportedly, harbouring an interest in becoming a referee in future)!
Ben Turner (Ilkeston Town)
Ben had two spells with the Sky Blues. He began his career as a youth player with CCFC in 2005 and by the time he left for the Cardiff City in August 2011 for £750k he had netted four times in 84 appearances for the Sky Blues. He also went on loan spells, whilst with City, to both Peterborough United (2006) and Oldham Athletic (2007). Ben was CCFPA’s ‘Player of the Year’ in 2011!
Ben Turner (Ilkeston Town -Asst Manger)
Joining the Welsh Club at roughly the same time as City’s young Icelander (a fellow CCFPA member) Aron Gunnarson Ben ended up contributing four goals in his 121 appearances for the Bluebirds. Cardiff loaned Ben back to the Sky Blues briefly at the end of 2015 when Ben netted one more Sky Blue goal in his five outings.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images
