Ben Hedley (born 18 October 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Darlington. He previously played in the Football League for Morecambe, as well as in non-league football for Witton Albion and Bradford (Park Avenue).
Playing career Hedley came through the Morecambe Academy to make his first-team debut on 6 May 2017, coming on as an 88th-minute substitute for Aaron Wildig in a 3–1 defeat at Luton Town. He signed his first professional contract with the club the following month.
On 15 August 2017, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Witton Albion on an initial one-month loan; "Shrimps" manager Jim Bentley said that "he'll be in good hands at Witton with the management (Carl MacCauley and Gary Martindale) who are both good football people that I trust to do right by Ben". His loan spell was extended into a second month after he impressed in his first eight starts for the club, and was extended a second time. He scored his first senior goal on 14 October in a 5–2 victory over Coalville Town at Wincham Park, and finished the loan spell with 19 appearances in all competitions.
Hedley was named Morecambe's Reserve Team Player of the Year for 2017–18. In 2018–19, he featured twice in the EFL Trophy, and made his first Football League start on 23 October 2018 in a 1–0 defeat at home to Mansfield Town; the Lancashire Post described it as a "solid debut". Despite being named as a substitute on 38 occasions, he made no more league appearances and was released at the end of the season.
On 7 June 2019, Hedley joined National League North club Bradford (Park Avenue), managed by Garry Thompson with whom he had played at Morecambe. Thompson was dismissed just two matches into the season, and Hedley played in seven before leaving for another National League North club, Darlington, in early September.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMorecambe2016–17League Two10000000102017–18League Two00000000002018–19League Two1000002030Total2000002040Witton Albion (loan)2017–18NPL Premier Division171001010191Bradford (Park Avenue)2019–20National League North70———70Darlington2019–20For FA Cup qualifying rounds: For FA Trophy third qualifying round: National League North22050—403102020–21For FA Cup third qualifying round: National League North5030—201002021–22For FA Cup second qualifying round: National League North34010—103602022–23For FA Cup second and third qualifying rounds: National League North40020—314512023–24For FA Cup second and third qualifying rounds: National League North34020—103702024–25National League North30000—00300Total1650130—1111891Career total1911130101412192
References