Ben Kennedy (footballer, born 1997)

Northern Irish footballer

Ben KennedyPersonal information

Full name|  Ben James Kennedy[1]
Date of birth|  (1997-01-12) 12 January 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth|  Lisburn, Northern Ireland
Height|  5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s)|  Midfielder / Forward[4]
Team information

Current team

|  Ballymena United
Number|  TBC
Youth career
2013–2015|  Stevenage
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2015–2020|  Stevenage|  151|  (27)
2019|  → Newport County (loan)|  10|  (1)
2020–2024|  Crusaders|  85|  (32)
2024–|  Ballymena United|  8|  (8)
International career
2013|  Northern Ireland U17|  2|  (0)
2015–2016|  Northern Ireland U19|  5|  (2)
2016–2018|  Northern Ireland U21|  7|  (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 July 2024

Ben James Kennedy (born 12 January 1997) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for NIFL Premiership club Ballymena United.

Kennedy joined Stevenage on a two-year youth scholarship in the summer of 2013 and broke into the first team during the 2014–15 season. He signed for Newport County on loan in January 2019 before returning to Stevenage at the end of the 2018–19 season. He was released by Stevenage in June 2020 and joined Crusaders of the NIFL Premiership two months later. He won two Irish Cups with Crusaders before moving to Ballymena United in 2024.

He has also represented Northern Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.

## Early life

[edit]

Kennedy was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.[5] He is the nephew of former Northern Ireland international Peter Kennedy.[6]

## Club career

[edit]

### Stevenage

[edit]

Kennedy was scouted by Stevenage academy manager Darren Sarll whilst playing for Northern Ireland at youth level in the summer of 2013.[7] Sarll spoke to Kennedy's parents and offered Kennedy the opportunity to train with the club's youth academy.[7] He accepted the offer, played one match for the Stevenage under-18 team and subsequently signed a two-year scholarship with the club ahead of the 2013–14 season.[7][8] Kennedy impressed Stevenage manager Graham Westley whilst competing in the 2014–15 FA Youth Cup, particularly in the club's 2–1 extra-time defeat to Everton under-18s in the third round of the competition in December 2014.[7][9] Two days after the match against Everton, he trained with the first team,[7] and he made his first-team debut a month later, on 31 January 2015, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 League Two defeat against Oxford United at Broadhall Way.[10] Kennedy scored his first professional goals on 14 February 2015, scoring twice in a 3–1 victory away at Hartlepool United.[11] Four days after scoring his first two goals for the club, he signed his first professional contract.[12] Kennedy scored four goals in 17 games during his first season in professional football,[13] helping Stevenage reach the League Two play-offs, where they lost at the semi-final stage to Southend United.[14][15]

Kennedy had to wait until late September to make his first appearance of the 2015–16 season as a result of undergoing hip surgery in the summer of 2015.[16] He was a regular in the first team under new Stevenage manager Teddy Sheringham upon his return from injury.[17][18][19] He signed an improved three-year contract with the club on 15 October 2015.[16] Kennedy was given personal leave "for a few weeks" in December 2015,[20] before sustaining a knee injury in training a month later that was expected to keep him out of action for the remainder of the season.[21] However, six weeks after knee surgery, Kennedy came on as a 71st-minute substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Exeter City.[22] Sheringham was replaced as manager by Darren Sarll, who bought Kennedy to the club three years earlier.[7] He made 25 appearances in a season that marked Kennedy's first full season as a professional; scoring three goals, as Stevenage lost once in their remaining nine league fixtures to secure their League Two status for a further season.[23]

Following an injury-free pre-season, Kennedy began the 2016–17 season as a regular in the starting line-up.[24] He scored his first goal of the season in Stevenage's 1–0 victory against Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the EFL Cup.[25] He scored his final goal of the season in a 2–0 away victory against Luton Town on 11 March 2017.[26] The goal was voted as Stevenage's goal of the season as Kennedy "chested the ball down just inside Luton's half, dribbled to the edge of the area and unleashed a right-footed shot into the top corner of the net".[26] In April 2017, Kennedy signed a new two-year contract with Stevenage, running until the summer of 2019.[27] Kennedy scored nine times in 39 appearances during the season as the club finished in 10th place in League Two.[24]

#### Loan to Newport County

[edit]

Kennedy joined fellow League Two club Newport County on loan on 31 January 2019, for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[28] Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace stated the club had "little choice" in the loan move with Kennedy having "made it clear" that he did not want to remain at the club, feeling that "a different environment would allow him to play his best football".[29] Kennedy made his Newport debut in the club's 3–0 away defeat at Grimsby Town on 2 February 2019.[30] He made 10 appearances during the loan spell, scoring once; his goal for the club came in a 3–1 victory at Yeovil Town on 30 March 2019.[31][32]

#### Return to Stevenage

[edit]

Kennedy returned to Stevenage upon the expiry of his loan agreement at Newport and made 21 appearances during the 2019–20 season, which was curtailed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33] He was included in the club's released list in June 2020.[34]

### Crusaders

[edit]

Kennedy signed for NIFL Premiership club Crusaders on 24 August 2020, agreeing a three-year contract.[35] He debuted for Crusaders in the opening match of the 2020–21 season against Dundela on 10 October 2020, scoring two penalties in a 2–0 victory.[36] He won his first trophy with the club on 7 May 2022 as Crusaders won the 2021–22 Irish Cup with a 2–1 extra-time victory against Ballymena United.[37]

### Ballymena United

[edit]

Kennedy signed for Ballymena United on 26 July 2024.[38]

## International career

[edit]

Having earned two caps for Northern Ireland's under-17 team in 2013,[39] Kennedy made the step up to under-19 level following his breakthrough into the Stevenage first team in 2015.[8] He captained the under-19 team and scored two goals in five appearances.[39][40] Kennedy was called up to the under-21 team in October 2016,[41] and played seven times at that level.[40]

## Personal life

[edit]

In 2020 Kennedy was given a five-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was fined £100 after a hearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court for breaching coronavirus regulations.[42]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 19 September 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National Cup  | League Cup  | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Stevenage | 2014–15[13] | League Two | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 17 | 4
2015–16[23] | League Two  | 22 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 1 | 25 | 3
2016–17[24] | League Two  | 36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1[b] | 0 | 39 | 9
2017–18[43] | League Two  | 35 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 7
2018–19[31] | League Two  | 25 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 2 | 28 | 8
2019–20[33] | League Two  | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 21 | 0
Total  | 151 | 27 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 167 | 31
Newport County (loan)  | 2018–19[31] | League Two  | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | 1
Crusaders | 2020–21[40] | NIFL Premiership | 24 | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 30 | 8
2021–22[40] | NIFL Premiership  | 31 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 15
2022–23[40] | NIFL Premiership  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | 8 | 2
2023–24[40] | NIFL Premiership  | 28 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7[d] | 1 | 37 | 17
2024–25[40] | NIFL Premiership  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[e] | 1 | 2 | 1
Total  | 85 | 32 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 115 | 43
Ballymena United | 2024–25[40] | NIFL Premiership  | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8
Career total  | 254 | 69 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 7 | 300 | 83

1. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs
2. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
3. ^ One appearance in NIFL Charity Shield and three appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
4. ^ One appearance in NIFL Charity Shield, four appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League, two appearances and one goal in Conference League play-offs
5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League

## Honours

[edit]

Crusaders

* Irish Cup: 2021–22,[44] 2022–23[45]
* NIFL Charity Shield: 2022,[46] 2023[47]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Stevenage" (PDF). English Football League. p. 81. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
2. ^ "Ben Kennedy". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
3. ^ "Ben Kennedy". Stevenage F.C. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
4. ^ "Ben Kennedy". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
5. ^ "Ben Kennedy: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
6. ^ Scott, Alan (9 October 2015). "Can Stevenage's Northern Ireland prodigy 'do a Theo Walcott' and gatecrash European Champs?". Hertfordshire Mercury. Hertford. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015.
7. ^ a b c d e f Branowsky, Dan (18 February 2015). "Ben Kennedy says pro deal is "a dream come true"". Stevenage F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
8. ^ a b Scott, Alan (11 February 2015). "Stevenage's Northern Ireland youth international targets senior breakthrough". Hertfordshire Mercury. Hertford. Archived from the original on 8 August 2015.
9. ^ "Everton knock Stevenage out of FA Youth Cup". The Comet. Stevenage. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
10. ^ "Stevenage 0–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
11. ^ "Hartlepool United 1–3 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
12. ^ Toyn, Dave (18 February 2015). "Ben Kennedy signs professional contract with Stevenage FC". Stevenage F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
13. ^ a b "Games played by Ben Kennedy in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
14. ^ Garry, Tom (10 May 2015). "Stevenage 1–1 Southend United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
15. ^ Garry, Tom (14 May 2015). "Southend United 3–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
16. ^ a b "Ben Kennedy: Stevenage striker signs improved deal". BBC Sport. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
17. ^ "Stevenage 1–2 Dagenham & Redbridge". BBC Sport. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
18. ^ "Exeter City 3–3 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
19. ^ "Exeter 3–3 Stevenage: Visitors hit back in six-goal thriller". Sky Sports. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
20. ^ Roberts, Damion (12 December 2015). "Stevenage's teenage star Ben Kennedy given 'a few weeks' off". The Comet. Stevenage. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
21. ^ "Knee surgery to rule out Ben Kennedy for rest of the season". Sky Sports. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
22. ^ "Stevenage 0–2 Exeter City". BBC Sport. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
23. ^ a b "Games played by Ben Kennedy in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
24. ^ a b c "Games played by Ben Kennedy in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
25. ^ "Ipswich Town 0–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
26. ^ a b "Luton Town 0–2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
27. ^ "Ben Kennedy: Stevenage midfielder signs new contract". BBC Sport. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
28. ^ "Newport County sign Adebayo Azeez and Ben Kennedy on deadline day". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
29. ^ "Phil Wallace on Deadline Day business". Stevenage F.C. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
30. ^ "Grimsby Town 3–0 Newport County". BBC Sport. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
31. ^ a b c "Games played by Ben Kennedy in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
32. ^ "Yeovil Town 1–3 Newport County". BBC Sport. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
33. ^ a b "Games played by Ben Kennedy in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
34. ^ "Stevenage 2020/21 Retained & Released List". 18 June 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
35. ^ "Crusaders sign Northern Ireland U21 international Ben Kennedy after Stevenage release". Belfast Telegraph. 24 August 2020.
36. ^ "County Antrim Shield talking points: Ben Kennedy makes instant impact at Crusaders as quarter-final draw made". Belfast Telegraph. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
37. ^ "Crusaders net dramatic winner in Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup Final". Irish Football Association. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
38. ^ "Ballymena swoop to sign Kennedy from Crusaders". BBC Sport. 26 July 2024.
39. ^ a b "Ben Kennedy: Profile". UEFA. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017.
40. ^ a b c d e f g h "B. Kennedy: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
41. ^ Toyn, Dave (4 October 2016). "Ben Kennedy called up by Northern Ireland under-21s". Stevenage F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
42. ^ "Football star who spat in cop's face spared jail". Belfast Telegraph. 23 August 2020.
43. ^ "Games played by Ben Kennedy in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
44. ^ "Crusaders net dramatic winner in Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup Final". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
45. ^ "Crusaders destroy Ballymena United in Irish Cup Final romp". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Belfast Telegraph. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
46. ^ "Charity Shield Success For The Crues". Northern Ireland Football League. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
47. ^ "NIFL Charity Shield: Jarlath O'Rourke and James Teelan goals see Crusaders defeat Larne 2-0". BBC Sport. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Ben Kennedy at Soccerbase

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals