Ty Benjamin

DOB: 29th October 1988

Position: Midfielder

Season of first appearance: 2009/10

Season of last appearance: 2009/10

Full Appearances: 2

Substitute: 0

Goals: 0

Also played for:

Colchester United (0), Rushden & Diamonds (0), Southend United (0), Chelmsford City, Great Wakering Rovers and Southend Manor 

Player Profile:

Gritty midfielder born in Southend who played for Southend-based Regis Boys during his schooldays. Ty then had a spell at Colchester where he played in the youth and reserve teams.

He later had short stints with Rushden & Diamonds and Southend United before joining Chelmsford as part of their PASE scheme that combined football with college study for young players.

During his time with Chelmsford, Ty played for the reserves and was also an unused substitute for the first-team when they took on Nuneaton in an FA Cup tie.

In December 2007, he joined Great Wakering who were managed by former Margate star Iain O'Connell and Ty initially played in the Essex club's reserves before moving to Southend Manor on a dual-registration basis in February 2008.

He made his debut for the Essex Senior League club in a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Eton Manor on 23.2.08 and stayed with them until April 2008, making nine appearances without scoring.

Ty returned to Great Wakering in time to feature in their last two matches of the 2007/08 season - his first senior outings for the club. He then played more regularly during 2008/09 and 2009/10 but Ty had injury problems which restricted his appearances to 46 in total. He scored five goals for Great Wakering in that time.

In March 2010, Ty joined Margate shortly after Iain O'Connell had taken over as the club's manager and at that time he was working as a full-time football coach. He made his debut in midfield in a 1-1 draw with Carshalton in an Isthmian Premier game at Hartsdown Park on 20.3.10 and the Thanet Times said he "certainly had a go". Ty also featured in Margate's next match - a 1-0 win at Dartford on 23.3.10 - but picked up a toe injury after that and drifted away from the club without playing again. In April 2010, Iain O'Connell told the Isle of Thanet Gazette: "It's a bit sad, he's had his chance and he's not taken it. He did really well in the games he played but he hasn't rung me."

At the end of May 2010, Iain O'Connell announced he'd re-signed Ty for the 2010/11 campaign and told the Isle of Thanet Gazette: "He's a nightmare! He's had issues with his social life, too much boozing, but I'm hoping he sorts himself out. He captained Colchester's youth team and reserves and had a very good future but he lost his way a little bit. He's one of those you can't trust not to go out boozing on a Friday night! I hope I can knock that out of him."

In the summer of 2010, it turned out that Ty hadn't rejoined Margate after all and he started 2010/11 back with Great Wakering but he only made five Isthmian League Division One North appearances for them (one as sub) during the season, scoring once. He then played for the club throughout the 2012/13 campaign.