page_title: Ben Purkiss
section_title: York City
hierarchical_section_title: Ben Purkiss / Club career / York City
caption_attribution_description: English: Ben Purkiss.
context_page_description: Benjamin John Purkiss is the current Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association and an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. In March 2019, it was reported that he would stand down as chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association after the completion of a "full and open review" into the PFA, along with its chief executive, Gordon Taylor.
  Having failed to break into the Sheffield United first team, he joined Gainsborough Trinity in 2003. He spent four years at the club before winning a move to York City in 2007. He played for York in the 2009 FA Trophy Final and 2010 Conference Premier play-off Final, both of which ended in defeat. He signed with Oxford United in May 2010, and after one season with the club was loaned out to Darlington, before he was allowed to join Hereford United in January 2012. He joined Walsall in August 2012, and spent three seasons with the club, appearing on the losing team in the 2015 Football League Trophy Final. He joined Port Vale in June 2015, and was appointed as joint-captain the following year. He switched to Swindon Town in June 2017, and then rejoined Walsall in October 2018.
context_section_description: Purkiss joined Conference National club York City on loan until the end of 2006–07 on 22 March 2007 in time for their play-off push. Purkiss had been considering a move to the club for some time and eventually agreed a deal that included a loan period and a four-figure sum for Gainsborough despite there being only five weeks remaining on his contract. Prior to signing, he had made 35 appearances for Gainsborough that season. Once at York Purkiss went straight into the first team, making his debut as a substitute in York's 1–1 draw with Exeter City. He was offered a permanent contract with York at the end of the season after making eight appearances on loan. He finished 2007–08 with 46 appearances for York.
  Purkiss played in the 2009 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on 9 May 2009, which York lost 2–0 to Stevenage Borough. He finished 2008–09 with 47 appearances and two goals for York and was offered a new contract by the club. He delayed signing as he wanted to see if the club would retain their key players and he eventually signed a new one-year contract on 8 June. He meanwhile continued his studies, and graduated from the College of Law in 2009, and represented Great Britain at the 2009 Summer Universiade in Serbia.
  He started in the 2010 Conference Premier play-off Final at Wembley on 16 May 2010, which was lost 3–1 to Oxford United. He finished 2009–10 with 47 appearances and one goal for York and was offered a new contract by the club, which he rejected.
caption: Purkiss playing for York City in 2008
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