Player Focus is back and we have selected Ben Tozer for this week. He recently hit 300 career appearances so we will be going over his career so far.
The Plymouth born defender started his career off at Swindon Town and he only spent one season there and managed to fit in two appearances. He then got a mammoth move to English giants Newcastle United. He spent three years on Tyneside and played once for the first team in a 2-1 win against Doncaster Rovers. He also played in the League Cup in a 2-0 loss to Peterborough United. During his time at the Magpies in his final two years he went on a one-month loan to Northampton Town. He played 5 times in his first spell and he impressed the Cobblers fans so he was loaned in once again. He had another successful season where he played 26 times for Northampton scoring twice during his time. He won player of the month, and helped get Northampton into the play-off final but they lost 3-0 against Bradford City at Wembley.
He was also temporarily loaned out to Colchester United in 2013 where he only made 1 appearance. He was released from Northampton in 2015 and then signed for Yeovil Town. Yeovil at the time were in League Two and spent the 15/16 season at Yeovil and he played 26 times for them in the time. He was struck by injury once or twice when he was at Yeovil. He then turned down a new contract and signed for Welsh side Newport County. He had a good start to his time at County but halfway through the season he fell out with the manager Graham Westley and didn't make a single appearance for the rest of the season. Michael Flynn was then appointed as new Newport manager and Tozer fell back in favour at Newport and had a successful second season. He played 62 times and scored 4 for Newport before his departure in 2018. He signed for Cheltenham Town in the summer and he went on to spend three years at Whaddon Road. He was famous for his long throw ins which lead to many important goals for Cheltenham. A throw-in that was in a dangerous area was as good as a free kick. He went on to play 119 times for Cheltenham and he scored 6 times in his time. He played a big part to help them clinch the League Two title and help them achieve promotion to League One. He made a move back to Wales in 2021 but this time to Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham. He has so far played 33 games for Wrexham in a great start to life for Tozer. he has been a regular so far this season and has been a key player in their bid for promotion.
In conclusion, Ben Tozer has had a decorated career in English football and he has played in the top 5 divisions of English football during his career. He will be looking to gain another promotion this season but this time with Wrexham.
Congratulations on 300 career appearances Ben Tozer!
Photo courtesy of the Mirror