Ben Amos

Ben Amos

Amos training with Manchester United in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Paul Amos[1]
Date of birth	10 April 1990
Place of birth	Macclesfield, England
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Bolton Wanderers
Number	1
Youth career
1993–2000	Crewe Alexandra
2001–2008	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2008–2015	Manchester United	1	(0)
2009	→ Peterborough United (loan)	1	(0)
2010	→ Molde (loan)	8	(0)
2011	→ Oldham Athletic (loan)	16	(0)
2012–2013	→ Hull City (loan)	17	(0)
2013–2014	→ Carlisle United (loan)	9	(0)
2015	→ Bolton Wanderers (loan)	9	(0)
2015–	Bolton Wanderers	39	(0)
National team^‡
2004–2005	England U16	3	(0)
2005–2007	England U17	7	(0)
2008	England U18	1	(0)
2008	England U19	2	(0)
2009	England U20	1	(0)
2011–2012	England U21	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 07:48, 1 May 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 01:06, 1 July 2015 (UTC)

Benjamin Paul "Ben" Amos (born 10 April 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bolton Wanderers. Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Amos began his career with Crewe Alexandra's youth academy, but joined Manchester United at the age of 11.^[3] He has spent time on loan at Peterborough United, Molde, and Oldham Athletic. Additionally, Amos is an England youth international, having represented his country at every level from Under-16 to Under-21.

Club career

Crewe Alexandra

Amos was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire and was a member of the Crewe Alexandra academy until he was released at the age of 10.^[4] While at Crewe, he also played for another local team, Bollington United,^[5] as a centre midfielder. One year later, Amos was playing for his local team against the team at the top of the table, and they needed to win the match to win the league. Amos' team's goalkeeper was injured during the game, and as the tallest on the team, Amos was put in goal;^[6] however, he had also been the team's regular penalty taker all season, so when they were awarded a penalty, he went all the way up the pitch to take the kick. He scored, and his team went on to win the game 3–2, together with the league title. After the game, his parents told him that a Manchester United scout had been watching him and that he had been invited for trials.^[7] Amos joined Manchester United at the age of 11.^[4]

Manchester United

In his first season at Manchester United, Amos became a regular starter for the club's Under-13 team, playing in 19 out of 27 matches in the 2001–02 season.^[8] Amos was named as an unused substitute for the Under-18 side for the first time on 8 January 2005, for a league game against Manchester City. His first appearance for the Under-18s came exactly nine months later, on 8 October 2005, coming on as a substitute for Danny Rose after starting goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler was sent off in a 2–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers. He was regularly named as an unused substitute during the 2005–06 season – including for two reserve team matches – but became a frequent starter for the Under-18s in 2006–07 after signing a trainee contract in July 2006.^[9] However, he missed the final of the 2006–07 FA Youth Cup with a dislocated shoulder.^[10]

Amos in 2008

He retained his place in the Under-18 team for 2007–08, in addition to making his debut for the reserve team against Wigan Athletic on 7 November 2007, and during the season he impressed enough to be selected to go on the first-team's 2008 summer tour of South Africa.^[11] Amos was named as a substitute for all three matches of the tour, but did not play. En route back from South Africa, United stopped off in Nigeria to play against Portsmouth on 27 July 2008, with Amos replacing Tomasz Kuszczak after 76 minutes.^[12] He made his competitive first-team debut on 23 September 2008 in a 3–1 win at home to Middlesbrough in the third round of the League Cup.^[13] On 14 December 2008, Amos travelled to Japan with the Manchester United squad for the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, having been called up as a late replacement for Ben Foster, who had suffered a hand injury while training.^[14]

Loans to Peterborough and Molde

On 29 October 2009, Amos signed for the Championship team Peterborough United on a month's loan as cover for Peterborough's suspended first-choice goalkeeper Joe Lewis.^[15] He made his only appearance on 31 October in a 2–1 defeat against Barnsley.^[16] After returning to Manchester United, Amos was again sent out on loan in March 2010, this time to Norwegian side Molde FK, where he remained on loan until 30 June 2010.^[17]

Return to Manchester United

Following the departure of Ben Foster from Manchester United to Birmingham City, United manager Alex Ferguson declared that Amos would be Manchester United's third-choice goalkeeper for the 2010–11 season behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak.^[18] He made his first appearance of the season on 26 October 2010, starting in goal for United's 3–2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the League Cup.^[19]

In United's final Champions League group match on 7 December 2010, Amos was picked to start against Valencia at Old Trafford. Pablo Hernández scored Valencia's only goal past him after 32 minutes of the match – the first goal United had conceded in the Champions League that season – as the two sides played out a 1–1 draw.^[20]

Loan to Oldham Athletic

With the signing of Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, Manchester United allowed Amos to join Oldham Athletic on loan for the remainder of the season on 7 January 2011,^[21] although he would continue to train with Manchester United once a week.^[22] He made his debut against Swindon Town the next day and kept a clean sheet.^[23] However, three days later, he conceded all six goals in a 6–0 defeat at home to Southampton; he allowed Adam Lallana's 20-yard shot underneath his body for the second goal, and he was rounded by Lee Barnard for the sixth.^[24]

On 15 March 2011, Lindegaard was ruled out for five weeks following a knee injury,^[25] so Amos was recalled from Oldham to cover for Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak.^[26]

Return to Manchester United

Nick Powell, Marnick Vermijl and Amos prepare to defend a corner in a pre-season friendly match against Ajax Cape Town on 21 July 2012.

Amos made his first start of the 2011–12 season in a third round League Cup tie at Elland Road against Leeds United. He kept a clean sheet as United cruised through to the next round winning 3–0.^[27] He played again in the following round away at Aldershot Town, a game which United also won 3–0 and advanced to the quarter finals.^[28] He was in goal again for United's League Cup game in a defeat against Championship club Crystal Palace on 30 November. It also seemed that he had moved above last season's second choice Tomasz Kuszczak in the pecking order, but was now third choice behind Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea. He made his first Premier League start in a 2–0 home win against Stoke City on 31 January 2012, keeping a clean sheet on his debut.^[29]

On 30 May 2012, Amos signed a three-year contract extension with Manchester United, which will keep him at the club until at least 2015.^[30]

Loan to Hull City

Amos playing for Hull City in 2012

On 31 July 2012, Amos joined Championship team Hull City on a season-long loan from Manchester United.^[31] Before the loan deal was completed, he had joined Hull on their pre-season training camp in Portugal.^[32] He made his debut on 11 August 2012 in 7–6 penalty shoot-out victory over Rotherham United in the first round of the 2012–13 Football League Cup.^[33] However, after 19 appearances, including two in the League Cup, Amos returned to Manchester United on 3 January 2013.

Loan to Carlisle United

On 15 November 2013, Amos joined League One team Carlisle United on a month-long loan from Manchester United.^[34]

Loan to Bolton Wanderers

On 30 January 2015 he joined Championship club Bolton Wanderers on a month's loan to provide competition for Andy Lonergan after Ádám Bogdán was ruled out with an ankle injury picked up in training.^[35][36] On 21 February 2015 he made his Bolton debut as a substitute for the injured Lonergan as Wanderers lost 4–1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.^[37] He played nine Championship games for Bolton before his loan expired on 4 April.

Return to Manchester United

Ben Amos returned to Manchester United after his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, but on 10 June 2015, it was announced on Manchester United website that Ben Amos has been released from the club along with four other players.^[38]

Bolton Wanderers

On 1 July 2015, Amos returned to Bolton Wanderers following his release from Manchester United, signing a four-year contract with the club.^[39]

International career

Amos is an England youth international, having played for his country at the Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.^[40][41] He was called up to the Under-21 squad in 2011 for their friendly match against Iceland,^[42] but he was an unused substitute.^[43]

Career statistics

As of 1 December 2015^[44]

Club	Season	League		Cup		League Cup		Europe		Other[nb 1]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester United	2008–09	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2009–10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2010–11	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
	2011–12	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	2012–13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2013–14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2014–15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	1	0	0	0	5	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
Peterborough United (loan)	2009–10	1	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0	1	0
Molde (loan)	2010	8	0	1	0	–		–		0	0	9	0
Oldham Athletic (loan)	2010–11	16	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0	16	0
Hull City (loan)	2012–13	17	0	0	0	2	0	–		–		19	0
Carlisle United (loan)	2013–14	9	0	0	0	–		–		–		9	0
Bolton Wanderers (loan)	2014–15	18	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0	18	0
Career total		56	0	1	0	7	0	1	0	0	0	65	0

1. Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

Honours

Club

Manchester United

• FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008^[45]

Personal life

Amos attended Fallibroome High School,^[46] where he earned 11 GCSEs at grade C or above.^[47]

References

1. "Premier League clubs submit squad lists" (PDF). PremierLeague.com. Premier League. 2 February 2012. p. 24. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
2. Hugman, Barry J. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
3. "Ben Amos Club Profile". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
4. "Ben Amos Profile". GiveMeFootball.com. Professional Footballers Association. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
5. Stone, Simon (30 November 2010). "Manchester United's Ben Amos became goalkeeper by chance". The Independent (London: Independent Print). Retrieved 7 July 2011.
6. "Amos' unlikely path to United nets". Manchester Evening News (MEN Media). 30 November 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
7. "Ben Amos – Quote, Unquote". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
8. Butler, Cliff; Ponting, Ivan, eds. (2002). Manchester United Official Yearbook 2002. London: Carlton Books. pp. 207–210. ISBN 0-233-05016-7.
9. Ree, Olav. "Ben Amos". redStat. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
10. Mathieson, Stuart (26 April 2007). "United kids can make Paul proud". Manchester Evening News (MEN Media). Retrieved 11 July 2011.
11. Thompson, Gemma (17 July 2008). "Reds head to South Africa". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 21 April 2011.
12. Hibbs, Ben (27 July 2008). "Report: United 2 Pompey 1". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 21 April 2011.
13. "Man Utd 3–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 23 September 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
14. Bartram, Steve (14 December 2008). "Gamba book United date". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 21 April 2011.
15. "Posh sign Man Utd keeper on loan". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
16. "Peterborough 1–2 Barnsley". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 31 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
17. "Manchester United-spiller til Molde FK" [Manchester United player to Molde FK]. moldefk.no (Molde Fotballklubb). 6 March 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
18. "Birmingham sign Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
19. Stevenson, Jonathan (26 October 2010). "Man Utd 3–2 Wolverhampton". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 21 April 2011.
20. Sanghera, Mandeep (7 December 2010). "Man Utd 1–1 Valencia". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 21 April 2011.
21. "Oldham Athletic sign Manchester United keeper Ben Amos". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 7 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
22. "Ben Amos still holds Manchester United ambition". Manchester Evening News (MEN Media). 25 February 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
23. "Oldham 2–0 Swindon". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 9 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
24. "Oldham 0–6 Southampton". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 11 January 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
25. "Manchester United's Lindegaard ruled out for five weeks". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 15 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
26. "Ben Amos recalled by Man Utd from loan spell at Oldham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 15 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
27. "Leeds 0–3 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 20 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
28. "Aldershot 0–3 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 25 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
29. "Man Utd 2–0 Stoke". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 31 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
30. "New contracts for Reds duo". Manchester United. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
31. "Amos Loan Deal Completed". hullcityafc.net (Hull City AFC). 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
32. "Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos joins Hull City". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
33. "Hull 1–1 Rotherham (7–6 pens)". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 11 August 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
34. Marshall, Adam (15 November 2013). "Amos loan deal agreed". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 15 November 2013.
35. Iles, Marc (30 January 2015). "Bolton Wanderers snap up Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos on loan". The Bolton News. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
36. Marshall, Adam (30 January 2015). "United and Bolton agree loan move for Amos". Manchester United. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
37. "Nottingham Forest 4 Bolton Wanderers 1". BBC Sport. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
38. http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/Jun/manchester-united-retained-list-thorpe-evans-amos-mcconnell.aspx
39. "Ben Amos completes Bolton Wanderers move". Bolton Wanderers FC. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
40. "A new revolution". TheFA.com (The Football Association). 8 December 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
41. "Ben Amos". TheFA.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
42. "Stuart Pearce releases five England U21s early". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 27 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
43. "England vs Iceland – Team sheet". TheFA.com. The Football Association. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
44. Endlar, Andrew. "Ben Amos". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
45. "40. Ben Amos – United Honours". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
46. "Our Express girls join Ryan Giggs and co for hospice midnight walk". Manchester Evening News (MEN Media). 8 September 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
47. "Fallibroome High School". Manchester Evening News (MEN Media). 25 August 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2011.

External links

• Ben Amos career statistics at Soccerbase
• Profile at StretfordEnd.co.uk