Southend United's Ben Coker: From working on a building site to becoming key to Blues' foundations

The Shrimpers defender has continued to shine on his return to League One but his journey back to the third tier of English football has been far from straight forward.

Coker was released by Northampton Town and Colchester United, worked on a building site for 12 months and was also diagnosed with diabetes when aged just 15.

But none of that has stopped the 26-year-old becoming a success with Southend.

And the defender believes the setbacks he suffered only helped to make him stronger.

“Sub consciously when people have said you’re not good enough you want to prove them wrong and that was the case with me,” said Coker.

“I’ve more than done that now but only through being mentally strong which you have to be in football.

“It’s a horrible business really and I don’t think people understand that.

“There are so many players struggling to get clubs and you have to make sure you believe in yourself because if you don’t you’re knackered but I want to keep going and keep doing well.”

Coker kicked off his footballing career with his hometown club Cambridge United before joining Northampton Town at the age of 15.

But three years later, he suffered the first setback of his career as the Cobblers decided to release him instead of offering the left-back a professional contract.

“I got booted out from Northampton and it was tough because you always hear about the kids getting released just quitting the game and not getting anywhere,” recalled Coker.

“It goes through your head that might happen to you but I always felt as though I was good enough to make it.

“I just needed more time to develop and that’s why I carried on.”

Coker initially did that lining up for Swedish Division Three outfit Ange before also playing non league football for both Histon and Bury Town.

The defender combined that with working as a labourer for a year.

And he still believes that stood him in good stead to succeed in later life both on and off the pitch.

“Working on a building site was hard but it certainly gave me a good grounding in life,” said Coker.

“At the same time I was playing men’s football which was good for me.

“I was quite little when I was younger and you needed a lot of courage because you would get battered every week in non league.

“But it was what I needed and it helped me get back into the professional game too.”

Coker’s initial chance came with Colchester United, who he joined in the summer of 2010.

However, after making 45 appearances in the space of three seasons, Coker saw his contract cancelled by the U’s.

And the defender still labels leaving the North Essex outfit as the most painful experience of his career.

“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Colchester but leaving there was harder than getting released when I was a kid,” said Coker.

“By then I was 24 and I was starting to wonder if football was for me to be honest.

“I still thought I was good enough but it was really hard to take and because I had signed my pay out outside the transfer window I couldn’t go to anyone else in the league.

“I went to Histon where I knew the manager Brian Page and they helped me out a lot.

“The following the summer I came to Southend on trial and thankfully the gaffer liked me. “I had a couple of other offers but as soon as I came here I knew this was for me.

“I got on really well with the gaffer and it’s been really good for me.”

Coker immediately impressed with the Shrimpers and made 53 appearances in his first season at Roots Hall as Phil Brown’s side were beaten by Burton Albion in the semi-finals of the League Two play-offs.

But Blues went one better just 12 months later with Coker again playing a key part as they won promotion in dramatic style, beating Wycombe Wanderers on penalties at Wembley in the play-off final.

“Last year was something dreams are made of and it was just unbelievable to go up like that,” said Coker.

“But it’s gone now though and we need to get to grips with League One.

“We can more than hold our own in this league and the last two performances have been very positive.

“Everyone knows we need to score goals but we’ll get there because the chances are being created.

“Personally, I’m really pleased with how I’m playing but I need to keep it going because it’s still early days.”

Coker will therefore be hoping to help Blues secure their first win of the season when they head to Coventry City on Monday evening.

And the defender confirmed his commitment to the club by signing a new three year deal on the eve of the season.

Coker has now also moved to Eastwood where he will be living with team-mate Kevan Hurst.

But he remains eager to keep on progressing.

“I want to play as high as I can,” said Coker.

“The gaffer knows that and I want to try and get Southend as high as they can get too because it’s great being at the club right now.

“The boys get me here which is a good thing because I am a bit mental but we all love Southend and we want to move the club forward.

“With that in mind, I’ll keep my head down and work as hard as I can on and off the pitch because you never know what can happen as football is a crazy game.”

And Coker will also not allow having type one diabetes to stop him continuing to succeed.

“I was 15 when I got it,” recalled Coker.

“I didn’t really know what it was back then but obviously you get to grips with it.

“I used to have to have injections but now I have a small pump that’s attached to me.

“I take it off for matches obviously but it’s helped me massively and it’s never stopped me doing anything.

“You just have to keep on top of it because your health is the most important thing but it’s not a factor in my football.

“And I’m determined to keep on doing well.”