Ben Coker (born 17 June 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for club Chatham Town.
Career In 2007, Coker spent time with sixth-tier Swedish club Ånge IF, scoring two goals.
Coker joined Bury Town in October 2008 from fellow Southern League side Barton Rovers. He was previously with Conference side Histon. He impressed on his debut for Bury, earning the sponsors man of the match award. Coker helped the Suffolk club win promotion to the Isthmian League.
Colchester United In summer 2010, Coker joined Colchester United after he impressed in a trial period at the end of 2009–10 season, having done well for non-league Bury Town during the 2009–10 campaign. On 30 September 2010, Coker joined Chelmsford City on loan for a month. The loan was extended by a further month and was given permission to play in an FA Cup tie against Hendon.
On 14 January 2011, Coker made his debut for Colchester against Bournemouth in a 2–1 victory, providing assists for both goals. He was awarded the Colchester United Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2010–11 season, his first with the club. On 15 May 2012, Coker signed a 12-month contract extension to see him through to summer 2013 with Colchester. On 12 October 2012, Coker was loaned to former club Histon on a month-long deal.
On 4 February 2013, Coker had his contract with Colchester cancelled by mutual consent having made only two first-team appearances in the 2012–13 season.
He returned to Histon permanently on 8 February 2013 following a loan spell earlier in the same season.
Southend United Prior to the 2013–14 season, he played in three friendlies for Southend United, impressing sufficiently in the games he played to be offered a contract by manager Phil Brown. On 16 April 2014, Coker signed a new two-year deal at Southend United, keeping him contracted until June 2016, and on 7 August 2015 this was extended for another 3 years with an option for a further year.
On 27 October 2018 he suffered a serious knee injury whilst playing for Southend against Sunderland, and did not play any more games that season. His struggle to recover from the injury was the subject of a BBC documentary series entitled 'Coming Back'. He never played any more games for Southend, and was released by them at the end of the 2018–19 season.
Lincoln City On 23 August 2019 it was announced that he had signed for Lincoln City. He only played one cup game before being loaned to Cambridge United in January 2020.
Coker signed a season-long loan at League Two club Stevenage on 7 August 2020.
Stevenage On 16 October 2020, he made his season-long loan permanent at Stevenage. Coker was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.
Solihull Moors On 4 August 2022, Coker signed for National League club Solihull Moors on a one-year deal. At the end of the 2022–23 season, Coker was one of eight players to be released by the club.
Barnet Coker joined Barnet for the 2023-24 season. After winning the National League title in the 2024-25 season, Coker left the Bees after two goals in 71 appearances.
Ebbsfleet United Coker joined Ebbsfleet United for the 2025-26 season.
Chatham Town On 23 June 2026, Coker joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Chatham Town.
Personal life Coker developed type 1 diabetes at the age of 15.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHiston2008–09Conference Premier1000—0010Colchester United2010–11League One2000000002002011–12League One2002110002312012–13League One1000001Appearances in the Football League Trophy020Total410211010451Chelmsford City (loan)2010–11Conference South4020—0060Histon (loan)2012–13Conference North5000—00502012–13Conference North11000—00110Total16000—00160Southend United2013–14League Two45240103One appearance in the Football League Trophy and two in the League Two play-offs05322014–15League Two32100104One appearance in the Football League Trophy and three in the League Two play-offs03712015–16League One4011010304512016–17League One31010101Appearance in the EFL Trophy03402017–18League One2200000002202018–19League One160001000170Total186460501102074Lincoln City2019–20League One0000001010Cambridge United (loan)2019–20League Two0000000000Stevenage (loan)2020–21League Two0000101020Stevenage2020–21League Two3803100004112021–22League Two361202110411Total741513120842Solihull Moors2022–23National League28130—20331Barnet2023–24National League33010—503902024–25National League31220—10342Total642300060732Ebbsfleet United2025–26National League South35031—20401Career totals44982439125050612
Honours Southend United Football League Two play-offs: 2015
Barnet National League: 2024–25
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 League Two
References
External links