The story of Ben White is one of resilience, growth, and the relentless pursuit of football dreams despite facing challenges. Born to Carole and Barry White, Ben’s journey as a versatile defender is a testament to the family and experiences that shaped him. In this article, you’ll learn about the significant roles of his sister, Ellie and his uncle, Malcolm, who have supported him through both hardships and successes.
We’ll delve into Ben’s personal struggles, his lifestyle off the pitch, and the financial acumen he’s developed over time. Discover how Ben White’s journey from his early days in Poole to his rise in football showcases his ability to turn rejection into motivation. Our article offers a comprehensive look at Ben White’s life, extending beyond his on-field achievements to his formative experiences and career development.
Ben White’s Inspiring Journey: How Family and Resilience Shaped His Football Career
Preamble:
We hope to spark your interest in football autobiographies with Ben White’s story. To give you a taste of his journey, we’ve put together a photo gallery showcasing Ben’s early life and rise to fame. This gallery captures the essence of his life journey and highlights how far he has come in his remarkable career. Enjoy exploring his story through these images.
Ben White Biography – Behold his Early Life and Success Story.
Ben White is widely recognized as a reliable right-back, known for his exceptional crossing and tackling skills—qualities that justified Arsenal’s £50m investment to bring him from Brighton. Despite his accolades, many soccer fans still haven’t explored a comprehensive account of Ben White’s life. Driven by our admiration for this rising England star, we’ve put together a detailed biography. So, let’s dive in and uncover his story.
Ben White Childhood Story:
For Life Story starters, Benjamin is actually his real name, and Ben is just a nickname. Benjamin William White (his full name) was born on the 8th day of October 1997 to his mother, Carole White and father, Barry White, in Poole, England.
The England International Footballer came to the world as one among two children (himself and a sister) born of the union between his parents, whom we have pictured below.
Meet Ben White’s Parents. His mother, Carole and father, Barry.
Growing-Up Years:
Little Ben (pictured below) never spent his childhood days all alone with Dad and Mum.
He grew up alongside his sister Ellie – who he often describes as being tender, loving, caring and kind.
The very best of Ben White’s Childhood Photo
Sufferings because of a Childhood Illness:
As a little boy, life taught Ben how to be resilient and show courage in the face of adversity.
This was a time he fought his way to overcoming a life-threatening illness as a child.
A few months after his birth, Ben White’s parents noticed their son’s immune system was not working.
It is indeed a precarious situation for the family. According to an interview, Ben White’s mother stated in the following words;
If somebody sneezed, he would end up having pneumonia.
According to Carole, Ben’s immune system was not working. As a little boy, he suffered from appendicitis, and it took a while before he recovered from the inflammation disease.
Unlike many kids, Ben White had about seven different infections, a development that kept him in the hospital for months.
After many treatments, Doctors advised Ben White’s parents to take their son home – insisting he would be safer there.
The reason for discharging Ben from the hospital was because of the possibility of him having Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs).
The truth is, Ben was so fragile, and his body lacked the immune system that kills bugs that are spread by healthcare workers.
Ben White Appendix Operation:
To avoid dilly-dallying with his situation, Barry and Carole agreed to make him have surgery. Thus, at the age of seven, Ben White had his appendix out.
Following the operation, Doctors recommended he stay on a constant intake of antibiotics.
Also added to Ben White’s health issues was the fact that he had massive allergies – due to his immune system problem.
As a way of managing Ben’s allergies, Barry and Carole carried an Epipen everywhere he moved to. That was the only way to save him.
As parents, we felt it was either we Wrap Ben up in a bubble or allow him to do what he wanted so he’ll have a better quality of life.
Thankfully, our boy started to get better.
Ben White Family Background:
Regarding the British social structure, his household is tagged as being in the lower middle class. Category.
Ben White’s parents earned money from unskilled service sector jobs. His mum is a homemaker, while his Dad works as a Gardener and Builder.
As a boy, little Ben enjoyed following his Dad to his workplace. Research has it that he was particularly keen on helping Barry do both logging and slabbing tasks.
For the White family, watching football is something that naturally brings everyone to sit together. Put simply, it is a family affair.
It might interest you that Ben started kicking the soccer ball right from when he was a toddler.
Ben White Family Origin:
First things first, he joins the likes of England stars – Mason Mount, Saints Legend James Ward-Prowse, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, etc, who have their family roots from England’s South Coast.
This is Poole, an England town where the Ben White Family’s family comes from.
This gallery explains Ben White’s Origin.
Poole is more than just an ordinary coastal town; it’s a vibrant seaport known for its large natural harbor and Blue Flag beaches, which attract many visitors.
Education and Career Buildup:
At an early age, Ben White declared his life ambitions to members of his family. Ben okayed the idea of going to school like his sister, Ellie.
However, he possessed a staunch mindset of becoming a professional footballer. Ben had this belief despite his health issues.
Speaking with the Press, the Defender said that his Mum (Carole White) made him fall in love with football. More so, his earliest memory of playing the game was with her in his family’s garden.
I remember the hanging clothes she had washed while I have a kick around. I will then ask her to be the goalie.
My mum found it hard to say no even though I accidentally booted the ball at her many times. She got several bruises and was still patient and persistent.
Ben White Biography – Football Story:
Southampton scouts spotted little Ben while playing the game in his local area. Following a successful trial (at Long Lane, Marchwood), the youngster (aged eight) joined the club’s prestigious academy.
Although Ben White wasn’t the best kid footballer, there were other Saints kids better than him. Despite that, he saw himself progressing through academy age groups without issues.
Sadly, a problem came around the year 2014 – at the time, Ben was 16 – two years before his academy graduation.
At this time, Southampton had planned a massive sieve on their youngsters, with the aim of pushing a few to play senior football.
Facing Academy Rejection:
After a total of eight hard years at the Southampton Academy, Ben White faced rejection. He was simply released from the academy.
Disheartened but determined, he embraced the disappointment as the biggest test in his life. Speaking about his rejection story, Ben once said,
“The day I got released from Southampton, my mum asked me if I still wanted to be a footballer. I replied her saying yes.
Immediately, she got on the phone with different clubs and managed to get me some trials.”
Despite the rejection from the Premier League outfit, a number of Championship clubs became interested in signing the defender.
Among all, one particular academy (Brighton & Hove Albion) saw something in White that the Saints could not see.
The Acceptance:
It took a few months before Ben joined Brighton’s academy. Just after the Saints pushed him away, Leicester (then a Championship team) and Bristol City called him for trials.
Ben finally joined Brighton owing to the fact that the academy was closer to (Poole) where his parents reside.
Whilst he was there, the youngster learnt more about the trajectory of the club’s most recognisable names – Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott.
The joy of Ben White’s family knew no bounds at the time he successfully scaled through academy football.
In the year 2016, Ben made his professional debut for Brighton as an 18-year-old – in the League Cup against Colchester United.
The Road to Fame Story:
Following his accession to senior football, the youngster – like many others – began seeking loan experience. Ben felt that he needed to gather experience by becoming a first-team player somewhere else.
Newport County, a League Two football club, located in Newport, South Wales, signed the youngster on the 1st of August 2017.
White’s loan transfer to Newport was described by Michael Flynn as a “big coup” owing to the fact that he was extremely lucky to have him.
This gallery explains Ben White’s Origin.
It appears Michael Flynn was right. Ben White made a name for himself by helping Newport challenge and big bigger clubs in the English higher division (the Championship).
That could only come in one competition – The FA Cup.
On 7 January 2018, White helped Newport defeat Leeds United (a 2–1 home) in the FA Cup third round. Find below the highlight of the Match where Ben White made a name for himself.
Following Ben White’s destruction of Leeds, the club began arranging plans to sack Thomas Christiansen (their then-manager).
With that win, Newport advanced to the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since the 1978–79 season.
He got popular by causing damage to Tottenham Hotspurs
The next bus stop was Mauricio Pochetino‘s Tottenham Hotspurs, a club with Harry Kane as its strikeforce’s leader.
In that match, Ben White held Newport’s defences, making them unbeatable by Spurs.
The draw forced a replay at Tottenham’s temporary home ground – Wembley Stadium.
In that match (which Newport lost), Ben White was single-handedly praised for his ability to hold down Harry Kane.
Long ago, Ben White knew how to handle Harry Kane.
Rejecting mouth-watering Contracts for Regular Football:
Ben White’s performance against Harry Kane got him linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. During that time, he had rejected a new contract offer at Brighton.
Ben didn’t want to be left out like Juan Foyth, who had seniors playing ahead of him at Spurs.
More so, he never wanted to join a team where he would be behind big names like Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. After he rejected Spurs, Pochettino went on to sign Columbian defender, Davinson Sánchez.
Speaking about regular football, Ben White refused to go back to Brighton because he saw that he was the club’s fourth-choice centre-back – behind Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy and Leon Balogun.
Ben White Bio – The Success Story:
Good things come to those who believe in the small things of life. At last, Ben White finally found this club – Peterborough United – which he accepted their loan offer.
According to him, joining a Championship team is far better than warming the bench in the Premier League.
Barely after 15 games with Peterborough United (where he scored), Benjamin White got the call of destiny. It was another loan call from football’s most respected coach – the person of Marcelo Bielsa.
Life with the Peacocks:
On 1 July 2019, Ben White signed for Championship club Leeds United on loan.
Just after getting into the club, Bielsa quickly put him into the club U23 room. Ben was shocked at the decision. In his words,
The first team players told me to endure, keep going as it was all a test.
Luckily, I took their advice, as one day before a game with Bristol, Bielsa suddenly threw me into the first team.
Playing under the management of the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa took Ben Whtie to the winning phase of his career.
First Trophy:
Did you know?… he, alongside notables – his best friend (Kalvin Phillips) and Patrick Bamford helped Leed to clinch the 2019-2020 EFL Championship.
Ben White’s football for Leeds United brought him four major honours.
They include the following: EFL Championship PFA Player for August 2019, EFL Championship Goal for July 2020, PFA Team of the Year (2019–2020 season) and Leeds United Young Player of the 2019 – 2020 Season.
Here is a video proof that justifies the hype surrounding Ben White during his glory days with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
The Brighton Rise:
Following several months of speculation regarding his future, Brighton vehemently rejected a total of three bids for Ben White.
With assurances of first-team football, the Poole native ended his loan spells and finally joined his beloved Seagulls Albion.
On several occasions, White was praised for his good technical ability and tough-tackling style.
Put simply, he was more than just a defender. White (in the 2020/2021 season) felt “cool” and “calm” while assisting Yves Bissouma in his defensive midfield position.
White’s defensive attributes, coupled with the ability to surge forward runs and counter-attacks, led to the biggest honour of his career.
Around May 2021, he was named Brighton & Hove Albion’s Player of the 2020-2021 Season. Ben White defeated the likes of Leandro Trossard, Ex-Chelsea sensation – Tariq Lamptey and Neal Maupay to get nominations and eventually win the award.
The England Call:
With the long array of defenders in England, many fans believe a name like Ben White would be nowhere to be found in Gareth Southgate‘s list of players for Euro 2020.
However, after an outstanding 2020-2021 season (as seen in his highlight video below), the England manager could not help the fact that Ben White should be in his national plans. Because of that, White got a call-up to the England provisional squad.
Without rumours flying around – that fact that his name would not make it to the final selection, Ben did one thing. He focused on putting up an impressive first match in an England shirt.
On the 7th day of June 2021, Ben White, the Arsenal right-back, got the shock of his life. He was named in the 26-man squad for Euro 2020 as a replacement for an injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
This is what the England star said while telling the media how he received the Euro final selection.
Truth be said, Tomorrow is pregnant, and no one knows what it will deliver.
Who on earth would think that a boy who suffered from childhood diseases and later faced football rejection would rise this way? The rest, as we say of his Ben White Bio, is history.
Love Life:
After becoming so popular, it is normal for fans to begin asking these sorts of questions, especially as it pertains to his love life.
Truth be told, Ben White is a very handsome guy, and he truly deserves a woman who should be his girlfriend or wife-to-be.
We’ve searched the internet, and as of June 2021, there is still no sign of a lover.
Things bring us to the conclusion that Ben White’s parents have probably advised him to remain single. This decision should come, at least, for this crucial stage of his career.
Personality:
Perhaps you might have asked… What does Ben do on his days off or outside football? Research has it that Ben is pretty good at living a normal life where he totally forgets about work.
Put simply, when he heads home from match days or training, football goes on to the back burner.
Those who know him have said that they always spot Ben White with his dog, which he regularly takes for walks. Also, he has a fire pit in his home garden where he does barbeque.
He finds it easy to distract and entertain himself. Unlike friends he grew up with, Ben has long chosen not to attend school discos or parties at nightclubs.
Put simply, that is his choice, and the decision never came from his parents.
Prank with Patrick Bamford:
Once upon a time, Ben white threw a practical joke on the England striker, which backfired. It all started when Bamford left his car open and unsupervised. Ben took that opportunity to play a prank on him.
Observing Pat hadn’t returned to his car, he went out to find dog biscuits and some sticky liquid, which he poured inside his car. Ben used that to trash his car – making Bamford think it was a robbery.
Upon observing it was Ben White, Pat got his revenge a few days later. On this particular day, Ben White was about to leave training, but I couldn’t find his car keys.
Surprisingly, his teammates then told me where he could find them.
As soon as Ben White had the keys in his hands, he discovered his car was no longer where he had left it.
Shockingly, Patrick Bamford had driven the car and parked it outside HM (a local prison 5 minutes away from Elland Road).
Because Patrick Bamford offered to take Ben to collect his car, the England defender didn’t suspect he was the culprit behind it. Truly, he really should’ve known better.
Lifestyle:
First thing first, we begin with his dress sense. Ben might not be the most stylish footballer with the best fashion choice. However, he does love to combine his good looks with wearing normal outfits.
Outside football, Ben does things that are typical of his humble lifestyle.
One of such is going on lone trips to the seaside, where he does his favourite hobby – paddleboarding. White really enjoys it even if he has yet to master the skill of standing on it.
Diving into an adventure – Ben White takes a break from the pitch to explore the crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery on his water holiday.
Ben White Family Life:
In his household, there exists a tradition that brings them all together. Every member of Ben White’s family chooses to go to his house to have Christmas dinner.
In case you didn’t know, this is the reason Ben had positioned a barbeque in his home garden.
Spending time with his parents, siblings, and relatives denotes seeing a unit that is loving without being pushy.
Also, it is encouraging without being overwhelming. In this section, we’ll tell you more about his family, starting with his parents.
About Ben White’s Father:
Unlike his wife, Engineer Barry wasn’t so keen on football. He fell in love with the game because of Ben.
Barry White and Carole have watched every game of Ben since he was four years old – through Saints, Brighton Academy, Newport and Peterborough.
Engineer Barry is super proud of his family.
Because Ben financially takes care of him, Barry has since left his gardening and Building work. All he does is watch his son’s football. According to Ben,
I think I’m very lucky.
Not many footballers I have played with have their dads and mums doing this every week for them.
I’m incredibly thankful and couldn’t have asked for better parents.
More on Ben White’s Dad, it might interest you to know that Barry has never really go to a different game – where his son is not part of.
Even a Champions League Match. He is just a man who focuses on the game only as it relates to his son.
About Ben White’s Mother:
Carole is the type who can’t spend a day without reaching out to her beloved son. She estimates they speak at most five times a day.
Ben White’s Mum, Carole, has a special relationship with him.
During Ben’s days with Leeds, Carole and Barry went on to stay with him at his home in York.
Since he signed a professional contract, Ben White’s Mother has formed the tradition of making pre-match pies and texting his son before he goes for a match.
Before his game, I always send Ben the same text: ‘Have a great time, love you loads.’
While he always wants Ben to enjoy himself, her greatest fear is to see him getting injured of playing badly.
For this reason, Carole’s understanding of football is that Ben should always make the pass and not dribble or hold on to the ball. She once narrated,
Ben can be too confident atimes. That make me shout often saying…
Ben, kick the ball! Kick the ball!’ with a knot in my stomach.
Watching him take a risk with the ball is not good for my nerves. It is nerve-racking.
Carole has long accepted that Ben cannot go forever exploring tight spaces without making any mistakes.
She, however, wishes that day would not come. Ben White once assured her, saying,
Mum, I have to add both sides to my game. If I cannot do the ugly stuff, I’m going to struggle in my career. But yes, I know I have good technique and I am super confident on the ball.
About Ben White Sister:
So far as research can tell, Ellie is his only sibling. Carole and Barry had her much earlier, meaning she is far older than her brother.
Ben once revealed that he often FaceTimes his sister and baby nephew Louie. By implication, it means his sister, Ellie, is married and now has a child.
About Ben White’s Relatives:
The most popular among them is his uncle Malcolm, who is a diehard Manchester United fan. Ben White’s parents, as well as Malcolm, all have a role in managing his career.
