# Ben McKenna (footballer)

Benjamin James McKenna (born 16 January 1993) is an English-born Northern Irish footballer. He plays as a midfielder.

## Early life

McKenna was born in Burnley, Lancashire. He attended Blessed Trinity RC College in the town. He started off at Burnley's academy, but after being released by his hometown club, McKenna joined Carlisle United on a two-year YTS contract.

## Career
### Club
#### Carlisle United and loans

After impressive performances in the youth and reserve teams, McKenna got called up to the first team squad and made his senior debut for Carlisle United in a 6–0 FA Cup first round victory against Tipton Town in November 2010, as a 46th-minute substitute McKenna made his League debut in February 2011, during a 1–0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday as a 79th-minute substitute. On 12 January 2012, he joined Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season. On 3 May 2012, Carlisle United announced that McKenna's contract would not be renewed at the end of the 2011–12 season.

#### Workington

After having an unsuccessful trial with League Two side Accrington Stanley in January 2013 McKenna joined Workington Reds on 4 March 2013 for the remainder of the 2012–2013 season.

#### Stalybridge Celtic

Between June 2014 and May 2016 he played for Stalybridge Celtic.

#### Bradford Park Avenue

In the summer of 2016 he joined Bradford Park Avenue.

#### Southport

In November 2016 he joined Southport.

#### Stockport County

He then joined Stockport County.

#### Curzon Ashton

McKenna left Stockport County in February 2018 to join fellow National League North side, Curzon Ashton.

#### Bradford Park Avenue (second spell)

In June 2018 he returned to Bradford Park Avenue for a second spell with the club.

#### Chester

In January 2019 he joined Chester from league rivals Bradford Park Avenue.

### International

McKenna has been capped for Northern Ireland at under-17 under-18 and under-19 level.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 22 March 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Carlisle United | 2010–11 | League One | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Annan Athletic (loan) | 2011–12 | Scottish Third Division | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Workington | 2012–13 | Conference North | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Workington | 2013–14 | Conference North | 39 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| Workington | Total | Total | 44 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 45 | 4 |
| Stalybridge Celtic | 2014–15 | Conference North | 41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 44 | 5 |
| Stalybridge Celtic | 2015–16 | National League North | 23 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 29 | 1 |
| Stalybridge Celtic | Total | Total | 64 | 6 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 75 | 6 |
| Bradford Park Avenue | 2016–17 | National League North | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 3 |
| Southport | 2016–17 | National League | 19 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| Stockport County | 2017–18 | National League North | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 22 | 1 |
| Curzon Ashton | 2017–18 | National League North | 14 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 3 |
| Bradford Park Avenue | 2018–19 | National League North | 21 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 24 | 5 |
| Chester | 2018–19 | National League North | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 |
| Spennymoor Town | 2019–20 | National League North | 29 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| Spennymoor Town | 2020–21 | National League North | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| Spennymoor Town | Total | Total | 41 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 48 | 4 |
| Farsley Celtic | 2021–22 | National League North | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 0 |
| Clitheroe | 2021–22 | NPL Division One West | 21 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 22 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 291 | 30 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 322 | 31 |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy