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Fullname: Benjamin Lloyd Phillip Hutchinson
aka: Ben Hutchison
Born: 27 Nov 1987
Birthplace: Nottingham, England
Height: 5' 11'' (180cm)
Signed: Jan 2006
Position: Forward
Internationals: n/a
International Caps: 0
International Goals: 0

Biog

For a while Ben Hutchinson looked to have missed the boat as a professional footballer. After knockbacks from Derby County and Notts County as a schoolboy he resolved to combine his job working at McDonalds with playing in midfield for local minnows Eastwood Town. However, a summer 2005 move to Arnold Town facilitated a switch to a striking role which proved to be the making of the then seventeen year old. As he went nap in the early rounds of the FA Youth Cup he came to the attention of scouts from Premiership Middlesbrough, who duly swooped with a deadline-day deal in January 2006.

After a spell in 'Boro's U18s, Hutchinson moved up to the reserve team the following season. He also spent part of 2006/07 loaned out to non-league Billingham Synthonia.

But it was in the early part of 2007/08 that injuries to Middlesbrough's entire contingent of first choice hitmen - Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere, Dong-**** Lee and Tuncay - afforded Hutchinson his top team opportunity with the Teesiders. A handful of promising performances, underscored by his prolific goalscoring in the reserves, prompted Celtic to offer a pre-contract which was accepted in January 2008. This was much to the consternation of Middlesbrough, who nevertheless allowed their man to move immediately for an undisclosed fee in the region of £250,000.

Meanwhile, despite Hutchinson's eligibility for the Jamaican national team, then 'Reggae Boyz' gaffer John Barnes resisted the urge to call him up.

Hutchinson battered in 15 goals in 13 reserve games in 2008/09 but was sent out on loan by incoming Manager Tony Mowbray on the eve of the new season. Went with Simon Ferry to Swindon Town but (unlike Ferry) endured an unproductive spell in Wiltshire. Returned to the club on 26 January 2010 with his future looking decidedly uncertain.

Loaned to Dundee on 1 February 2010.

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Playing Career

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Honours with Celtic

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Pictures

• Player Pictures

Further Links

• www.benhutchinson.co.uk
• Signing for Middlesbrough
• Games on loan at Billingham Synthonia