Ben Davies: The Footballer Who Almost Chose a Different Path

Ben Davies, a loyal and often unsung hero of Tottenham Hotspur, has a remarkable story that rarely makes headlines. Born and raised in the Welsh town of Neath, United Kingdom, Ben grew up in a close-knit family. His mother, Eryl Davies, worked as a housekeeper, and his father, Alun Davies, was a pump engineer. Alongside his sister, Hannah, Ben enjoyed a happy childhood where his passion for football was clear from an early age. His parents affectionately called him their “football-happy son.”

Ben’s journey in football began at Swansea City, where he quickly made a name for himself. However, just a year after joining, a significant change was on the horizon. His father received a job offer from Grundfos, a leading Danish pump manufacturing company, which required the family to move to Viborg, Denmark. This move brought them into contact with Torben Primsø, a youth football coach in the area.

Ben Davies: The Footballer Who Almost Chose a Different Path

The Untold Story of Ben Davies: Tottenham’s Loyal Hero.

Despite Ben’s academic talents, his parents initially hoped he would pursue something else, a more traditional or professional career path, like becoming a doctor or an engineer, given the opportunities in Denmark. As the pressure to abandon football grew, it was Primsø who stepped in to support Ben’s dream.

This biography delves into how Ben Davies, against his parents’ initial wishes, followed his passion for football and rose to prominence in the sport. His story is one of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of a dream that ultimately led him to a successful career in the beautiful game.

Preamble:

In short, Ben Davies’ story is much more than just his skills on the pitch—it’s a journey through the key moments of his life, from his early days to his rise to fame. While many recognize him as a humble, loyal, and grounded footballer, few truly know the full details of his life. Only a small number of fans have had the chance to dive deep into Ben Davies’ biography, which is truly fascinating. So, let’s get started.

Ben Davies Childhood Story – Early and Family Life:

For Biography starters, his full name is Benjamin Thomas Davies. Ben Davis was born on the 24th day of April 1993 to his mother, Eryl Davies (a housekeeper), and father, Alun Davies (a pump engineer), in the Welsh community of Neath, United Kingdom. Davies comes from a happy family that has enjoyed virtually all minutes of their lives being in love with each other.

Meet Ben Davies' Family members. Growing up in a loving family, Davies was surrounded by support and affection from these people.

Meet Ben Davies’ Family members. Growing up in a loving family, Davies was surrounded by support and affection from these people.

As observed from the photo above, Ben didn’t grow up alone in the Davies family. He grew up alongside his beautiful sister, who goes by the name Hannah.

Ben and Hannah are very close.

Ben and Hannah are very close.

Hannah is very attuned to his brother’s football career right from the onset. As a boy, Ben was tagged a “football-happy son” by his dad and mum.

Ben, during his youthful days, never veered away from football and other sports, especially those common in Wales.

Stressing on that, Ben played rugby during his elementary school period while football and cricket were away from school, especially in the summer.

Football was his number 1, and Rugby was his next preferred sport. Unlike most Welsh citizens would do, Ben chose football instead of Rugby as his preferred sport.

This saw him in the year 2001 enrolling in the roster of the Swansea football team, a time he was only 7.

Ben Davies Childhood Story – The Denmark Pump Job:

Barely a year after Ben got enrolled at Swansea, a decision came for him not to continue football with the Welsh club. This came at a time when the Davies family had set their minds in Denmark.

Ben’s father, Alun Davies, got a new job as an engineer with a multi-billion dollar Danish pump factory named Grundfos.

This saw Ben Davies’ family packing up and leaving Wales for Denmark. In Denmark, they settled in the beautiful city of Viborg.

The Early life of Ben Davies: From Swansea's pitch to Viborg's streets, following his father's engineering pursuit at Grundfos.

The Early life of Ben Davies: From Swansea’s pitch to Viborg’s streets, following his father’s engineering pursuit at Grundfos.

Ben Davies Biography – Early Life at Viborg:

When Ben Davies’s family moved to Viborg, they became neighbours with Torben Primsø, a youth football coach in eastern Viborg.

Back then, Torben Primsø had a football garden that attracted little boys, including Ben, who was among other little boys that played football to the amazement of their Danish neighbours.

The Dilemma: Despite Ben attending Swansea football academy back then in Wales and also practising football in Torben’s garden, his parents weren’t impressed with his career.

This came after Eryl and Alun found better opportunities for their son to follow in Denmark.

Because Ben was also gifted in academics, his parents wanted him to become a doctor or engineer owing to the fact that these disciplines had the most opportunities in the country.

 

The Intervention:

As the pressure to leave football continued to mount, Torben Primso quickly intervened to rescue poor Ben.

He insisted that Ben’s parents allow their son to take football seriously in his quest to become a professional football player. Accrediting Ben, Primso further said,

Ben had the desire and a very good left leg.

Even thou his talent isn’t so obvious, Ben has the motivation to become pro.

Ben’s parents finally let go of personal interest in their son’s choice of career. This prompted Torben Primso to make football trial arrangements for Ben and his friends.

Ben was ten years old at that time, and he and his friends successfully passed their trials. They got themselves enrolled on the youth football department at Viborg FF.

This act further fostered a stronger relationship between Torben and the boys as he became their career mentor.

At this time, Torben became his mentor, fostering a strong relationship and paving the way for Ben's future career success.

At this time, Torben became his mentor, fostering a strong relationship and paving the way for Ben’s future career success.

The photo above shows Ben Davies, together with his friends, sitting on the couch next to Torben as they watched the greenblock on his television.

The New Football Life:

Ben learned how to commit himself to playing football in a foreign country even while he faced much colder and longer winters. In Denmark, he played indoor football, especially during heavy winter.

Thanks to his previous experience at Swansea, Ben’s technical development accelerated at a faster pace. He learned how to do better ball control and one-two combinations and equally added more motion to his pace.

This eventually paid off, as he successfully led his team to win his first gold medal. Below is a happy Ben with a gold medal around his neck.

A jubilant Ben proudly displays his gold medal as he went on to lead his team to victory.

A jubilant Ben proudly displays his gold medal as he went on to lead his team to victory.

Ben Davies Biography – The Welsh Return:

As Ben Davies’ parents saw their son was going to be successful in football, they considered relocating back to the United Kingdom, where professional football opportunities would come.

Coming back to Wales wasn’t just for football but also for education. While in Denmark, both Ben and his parents agreed that he would at least complete his GCSE before facing football completely.

Ben signed his first apprenticeship with Swansea when he was 16, a time he had successfully finished his GSCE with Welsh language secondary Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera.

In 2012, at the age of 19, Ben was promoted to Swansea’s senior team. That same year, he became a regular starter for the team.

Ben’s rapid rise to prominence surprised many seasoned football observers, but not his sister Hannah and parents.

“People at school always used to  tell me it was shocking that my brother was doing so well”

Says Hannah, Ben’s sister. Through hard work and the desire to constantly improve, Ben got attracted to Mauricio Pochettino, who in 2014 brought him to his London team, Spurs. The rest, as they say, is now history.

Kayleigh Elise Hughes – Ben Davies Wife:

Ben Davis’s relationship life helps you to get a complete picture of him. Without a doubt, it is a super comforting feeling to have a partner they can always count on.

Meet Kayleigh Elise Hughes - She is Ben Davies' Wife.

Meet Kayleigh Elise Hughes – She is Ben Davies’ Wife.

The relationship between Ben Davies and Kayleigh Elise Hughes has been one with rainbows and butterflies ever since they fell in love in 2013. Both lovers come from the same town, Neath in Wales.

Ben went for the average Welsh girl, proving he is very down to earth. Before meeting Ben, Kayleigh Elise was a former sales assistant at Zara’s branch office in Swansea. She has also done some modelling for Chicproduction photography.

Personal Life:

On a personal and private note, Ben is reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible, and very stable. Aside from being practical and well-grounded, he is someone who has sowed and currently harvests the fruits of his labour.

Ben sometimes loves to stay away from everyone alone on the Swansea coastline in order to restore some inner strength.

Closeness to Family:

Despite living in London, Ben’s family prefers to stay in Wales. Ben still remains close to his family in Wales even though his football career has taken him to London to play in the Premier League.

“He enjoys being home and he’s very close to his family,”

His mother, Eryl, once told BBC Radio Wales.

Cooking Hobbie:

Aside from being a family person, Ben also likes to run his things alone in his kitchen. He is one of the few Welsh footballers who know how to cook well.

If there is one thing you don't know about Ben Davies, it is the fact that he loves to cook.

If there is one thing you don’t know about Ben Davies, it is the fact that he loves to cook.

Owns the Wost Car:

Ben Davies and N’golo Kante are considered the most modest players in the premier league. See the reasons below;

Seeing their cars and comparing them to THE MONIES that enter their bank account would surely make you support the notion that says, ‘Faith in very few modern-day footballers is indeed restored!!’

Fact Check:

Thank you for taking the time to read about Ben Davies, Tottenham Hotspur’s reluctant star. Our goal is to provide accurate and fair accounts of Welsh football stories. You might also enjoy reading about the lives of Brennan Johnson and Japhet Tanganga. If you notice anything that seems off or has feedback, please don’t hesitate to share it in the comments below. We truly value and respect your input.

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