Tranmere Rovers
Big Ben Returns to Capital
By Matthew Jones
June 17 2009
Tranmere lose vice-captain Ben Chorley to fellow League One outfit Leyton Orient on a free transfer with the defender seemingly deciding he wanted to return to his roots in London rather than remaining up north with Tranmere for another season at least.
Central defender Ben Chorley has today become the second player to reject a new contract at Prenton Park this summer, as the former Arsenal man joins fellow League One club Leyton Orient on a two-year contract.
Chorley joined Tranmere on a two-year deal in 2007 and has been a virtual ever present for the side ever since. Playing more minutes than any other Rovers player last season, Chorley was one of Rovers most consistent and best performers last season, and new Tranmere manager John Barnes faces a tough job to find a suitable and similar replacement for the player.
An integral part of the Tranmere defence that kept 20 clean sheets last season, Chorley also scored two goals for the club, one in each season on the Wirral, as he made a total of 89 appearances in two seasons at Prenton Park. He was also vice captain to Antony Kay for Rovers last season.
A no-nonsense style centre-back, Chorley's exit had been rumoured for some time, and Leyton Orient have today reported that the club beat off competition from eight other clubs to sign the 6'3 defender, who was born in the capital city, where he started his career with Arsenal.
Total Tranmere would like to thank Ben for his two years at Prenton Park, where he was a consistent and good performer, and wish him all the best for the future.
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17/06/2009 12:42
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:16:20:35 by Deadly Submarine.
I'll get my boots.
(that is a great headline by the way, very creative)
We have just lost our best defender - absolutely gutted!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:17:13:23:07 by Deadly Submarine.
17/06/2009 14:04
I hope Barnes replaces him with someone who has a bit of pace and can put himself about - I'd like to see that Michael Nelson from Harlepool, who is out of contract.
Ben has done exactly the same thing as kay:
1. Moved to a team who are not as good as we where last season
2. Moved to a team closer to where he is from
3. Will be defiantley be on more money
i think it was unfair he treatment kay got but think its a little rich that people can say the same thing to kaysey but not to chorley.
Gutted he has gone though great season last season hope he has a good future higher up the leagues
I have nothing against either player - that's football and people move on! Good luck to Ben!
I doubt he'd be on more money than them, the thing that annoyed me about Kay is that he didn't move to better himself as a player, he'll remain in League One wheres he had offers from Championships, whereas Chorley was League One Clubs.
I think we really need to think about getting two new CB's now. And i'm quite worried that we won't get anyone nearly as good as Ben.
How anybody can say he won't be a loss is beyond me.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:17:16:57:55 by Matthew the rover.
Dogs home for me , i think
I think we'll miss Ben, he was one of the most consistent performers in our side last season. Still, I'm not going to panic unless we get to Huish Park on 8th August with a depleted side, which I'm sure won't happen. We'll be making signings before then.
Good luck Ben - hope he gets a good reception when Orient come to Prenton Park next season.
Linky
He is with out a doubt a huge loss to us but the lad has a valid point about results when Goodison was out the team.
maybe the new lads will cope better when Ian inevitably has his next rush of blood to the head, and maybe even be good enough to teach him a lesson an keep him out the team?
