UPDATED: PURKISS AGREES NEW WALSALL DEAL UPDATED: PURKISS AGREES NEW WALSALL DEAL
By Bescot Banter at  on 

UPDATED: PURKISS AGREES NEW WALSALL DEAL

Walsall defender Ben Purkiss has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract at The Banks's Stadium.
Walsall defender Ben Purkiss has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract at Banks's Stadium.

After signing his new deal, Ben spoke to Saddlers.co.uk and expressed his delight at the prospect of continuing his career at Banks's Stadium, and acknowledged the fact that there is much to do as the club prepares for the coming season, he said: "I am very pleased to have signed this new deal. It means that I can now start planning for the new season.

“It’s always important at this time of the year to be able to take stock, look at the areas of my game that need work and use the summer to do it so that I can return fresh and ready to hit the ground running.


“I always set myself personal targets, be it on a game-by-game basis or for the season as a whole. You have to be careful not to make those targets unrealistic, but already I have a few things in mind for next season.

“I’m looking forward to the new season; there’ll be some new faces coming into the club as we look to build upon the previous campaign both individually and as a collective.


“We have a good nucleus here. The goalkeeper is as good as anyone at this level and there is a strong foundation with plenty of quality. There are areas that clearly need attention, but the Gaffer is aware of that and is working hard to address the situation.”

30-year-old Purkiss began his career as an apprentice at hometown side Sheffield United, and signed pro terms in 2003, he was however released by The Blades very soon after and elected to join non-league outfit Gainsborough Trinity after deciding to pursue a career in semi-professional football while studying for a degree in French and Law at the University of Sheffield.


Ben made his debut for Gainsborough versus Stalybridge Celtic on 16th August 2003, and went on to make over 110 appearances for Gainsborough before joining York City near the end of the 2006/2007 season, the deal was originally a loan before it became permanent soon after.

Ben made over 110 appearances for The Ministermen including the 2010 Blue Square Bet Premier League play-off Final at Wembley on 16 May 2010, which was lost 3–1 to Oxford United.


After rejecting a new contract with York City Ben joined then newly promoted npower League Two side Oxford United in May 2010, after an unsuccessful season Ben was made available for loan by Oxford in March 2011, and told he could leave the club permanently the following summer. Ben was loaned to Blue Square Bet side Darlington on one-month loan in August, which was extended for a further two months in September. He returned to Oxford in November.

He left Oxford in January 2012 after being released from his contract and subsequently signed for Hereford United, for whom he went on to make around fifteen appearances.


After leaving Edgar Street Purkiss signed for The Saddlers on a one-year contract in August 2012, thanks to a recommendation of Walsall coach Richard O'Kelly who had a brief spell in charge of the Bulls.

Ben made over thirty first team appearances during his first season at Banks's Stadium and signed a new one-year deal at the beginning of the next campaign.
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