Ben Garrity transforms from engineer to League Two captain

Ben Garrity, a former engineer, experienced a life-changing moment on January 31, 2020. That day began like any other for the 22-year-old, who was working as a plant engineer and playing football part-time. He received a call from Warrington Town's manager, which led him to leave work and prepare for a medical appointment with Blackpool in League One. Garrity quickly made the switch from the Northern Premier League to professional football. He resigned from his engineering job the next day, surprising his colleagues. Garrity described the transition as "mad," as he went from working eight-hour shifts to training with Blackpool almost overnight. His journey to Blackpool wasn't easy. Before making the move, Garrity faced disappointment when a deal with Fleetwood Town fell through. However, he used that experience to fuel his determination on the field. After joining Blackpool, he soon realized he wasn’t getting enough playing time and moved to Oldham Athletic for more opportunities. Currently 28 years old, Garrity is now the captain of Port Vale in League Two, where he has had a successful career. His team is currently sixth in the league and aiming for automatic promotion. He has celebrated significant achievements, including a Wembley final win and multiple player-of-the-season awards. Garrity’s rise in football is remarkable. He went from playing in the local Sunday leagues to leading a professional team. He reflects on his past with nostalgia, missing the camaraderie of Sunday football but proud of how far he has come. Now, he is focused on helping Port Vale achieve success and make it to League One.