Ben Swift

DOB: 18th March 1997

Position: Centre-back

Season of first appearance: 2016/17

Season of last appearance: 2021/22

Full Appearances: 163

Substitute: 15

Goals: 9

Also played for:

Tonbridge Angels

Player Profile:

Determined and consistent left-sided centre-back who started his career at Maidstone United's academy before landing a one-year professional contract at Aston Villa in 2015.

At the time, the Stones' academy manager Jack Parkinson told Kent Online that he believed Ben would follow in the footsteps of another former Maidstone player, Chris Smalling, and play in the Premier League.

"I stick by my comment that he'll play in the Premiership, if not a step further. Chris Smalling and Carl Jenkinson have gone on to play for England after playing in the Ryman Premier League and Conference South, so why not?"

Ben's progress was hindered by an ankle injury and he was released by Villa before joining Margate in March 2017. He made his debut aged 19 under manager Steve Watt in a goalless draw at Concord Rangers in National League South on 4.3.17.

Ben came to be a regular fixture in the heart of Margate's defence during 2017-18, making 40 appearances (ten of which were as a sub)  and scoring one goal, in a 4-2 win at home to Brightlingsea Regent on 19.12.17.

Ben made a further 43 appearances (including three as sub) during 2018-19. He scored five goals, including in Jay Saunders' first two matches as Margate manager - on 9.2.19 at Tonbridge, a header in a 1-1 draw, and another header in a 1-0 victory at home to Brightlingsea Regent on 16.2.19.

Following the departure of previous captain Liam Friend to Ramsgate, Ben was made Margate skipper at the start of the 2019-20 season. Manager Jay Saunders said: "He's a no-holds-barred defender who wants to head and kick things. He's that old-fashioned centre-half you need and I think the captaincy will get that extra 10% out of him."

In one of the final matches of the season - which was soon to be abandoned due to Covid - Ben was sent off for violent conduct in a 1-0 Isthmian League Cup quarter-final defeat at Horsham on 25.2.20. The club appealed the decision but Ben still received a three-match ban.

Jay Saunders told Kent Online: "Swifty took an elbow to the face and was bleeding, he's come off, the linesman's said he’s fine but the ref didn’t let him back on and they’ve scored with their only shot.

"I don't get what he's seen for the red card. It was ridiculous. It couldn't be more obvious there isn't a stamp. I'd be amazed if it doesn't get overturned. Ben was thrown to the floor, he gets up and pushes the lad, who then kicks out at him. Ben does nothing and then everyone runs in.

"I asked the linesman why he'd been sent off and he said they'd all agreed there was a stamp. I said, 'did you see it?' and he said 'yes' but he couldn't have done because he was standing next to me."

Ben made 25 appearances (including two as sub) during 2019-20 and scored twice.

He stayed with the club for 2020-21, which was also curtailed because of Covid, making 12 appearances (including one as sub) without scoring.

Still captain, Ben's final season at Margate was 2021-22, in which he made a further 49 appearances without scoring. He was sent off in a 2-0 defeat at Worthing on 12.3.22 in the 65th minute after an altercation with home player Aaran Racine.

When Saunders left Hartsdown to become manager at National League South side Tonbridge at the end of the 21-22 season, Ben followed him.

On leaving the club, Ben said: "It wasn't an easy decision but I would kick myself if I didn't make this choice to pursue a career at a higher level. It has been an incredible five years with plenty of ups and downs. For me, being made captain at the age of 22 at a big club like Margate was the proudest moment."

In an interview with Margate's YouTube channel, Ben said his favourite player was John Terry.