Ben Davis (footballer, born 2000) explained

Ben Davis
Full Name:Benjamin James Davis[1]
Birth Date:24 November 2000
Birth Place:Phuket, Thailand
Height:[2]
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub:Uthai Thani
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2013–2016
Youthclubs1:Singapore Sports School
Youthyears2:2017–2019
Youthclubs2:Fulham
Years1:2019–2021
Clubs1:Fulham
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–2023
Clubs2:Oxford United
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:→ Port (loan)
Caps3:14
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Chonburi
Caps4:7
Goals4:0
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Uthai Thani
Caps5:9
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:Singapore U16
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2017
Nationalteam2:Singapore U19
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears4:2020–2022
Nationalteam4:Thailand U23
Nationalcaps4:12
Nationalgoals4:2
Nationalyears5:2023
Nationalteam5:Thailand
Nationalcaps5:1
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:04:18, 3 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:01:05, 9 June 2022 (UTC)

Benjamin James Davis (born 24 November 2000) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Thai League 1 side Uthai Thani and the Thailand national team.[3] [4]

Club career

Davis started his professional career training at JSSL Singapore, a youth soccer academy owned by his father based in Singapore that has partnerships with Fulham and Singapore Premier League side Tampines Rovers. He later joined the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) Junior Centre of Excellence, and went on to represent various national age group teams.[5]

In 2017, Davis earned a two-year academy scholarship with Fulham after impressing in trials.[6] He was the first ever Singaporean player to sign for a Premier League side.[7]

In his first season, Davis made 10 appearances for the club's under-18 South League team, scoring a header against West Ham's Under-18 side and recording a passing accuracy of 90 percent.[5] In 2018, Fulham announced that Davis, alongside other academy players, were offered professional contracts, where they would now earn a weekly wage as well as continue to play for the club's Under-18 and Under-23 side.[8] He signed his first professional Fulham contract in June 2017 and is listed on the club's website as an English national.[9] [10] On 13 October 2019, Davis confirmed that he had registered to play as a local player with the English Football Association.[11]

Oxford United

On 31 August 2021, Davis joined League One side Oxford United on a two-year deal.[12] In August 2022 he was sent on a season-long loan to Thai club Port F.C.[13] His contract with Oxford was not renewed at the end of the 2022–23 season.[14]

Chonburi

On 19 May 2023, Davis signed with Chonburi.[15] On 11 January 2024, Chonburi has officially announced the release of Davis to join Uthai Thani, a team participating in the Thai League 2nd leg of the 2023/24 season, He played a total of 9 matches for the team in all competitions.[16]

Uthai Thani

On 11 January 2024, Davis signed with Uthai Thani.[17]

International career

Davis currently holds passports from the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Singapore but represents Thailand internationally.[18]

During his training stint with JSSL Singapore and FAS Junior Centre of Excellence, Davis represented Singapore in several 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers in 2015.[19] In 2017, Davis earned a call-up to Singapore's under-19 side to play in several 2018 AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers.[20]

In 2018, Davis received a surprise call-up to the senior Singapore national team for a run of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, but he did not play in any of the matches.[21] [22]

In September 2019, Davis was called up to the Thailand under-23 national team for the SEA Games training camp.[23]

In 2020, Davis represented Thailand at the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, appearing in a 1–1 draw against Iraq in the group stage as well as a 1–0 loss to Saudi Arabia in the quarter-final, cap-tying him to Thailand. In 2022, he was called up to the U23 team for the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.[24]

In 2023, Davis received his first call-up to the Thailand national team for the 2023 King's Cup replace Chanathip Songkrasin who withdrew from the squad due to injury.[25]

Personal life

Davis was born in Phuket, Thailand, and migrated to Singapore at the age of five with his family. Davis studied at the Singapore Sports School from 2013 to 2015 before moving to London's Harrow High School in 2016.[26] In 2017, he was awarded a two-year scholarship with Fulham's academy.[27]

Davis is the second-youngest of four children. His mother, Sopee Davis, is Thai, while his father, Harvey Davis, is English.[28]

National service evasion

As a Singaporean citizen, Davis was to be conscripted under the city-state's national service scheme upon turning 18. His application for deferment to develop his professional career as a footballer with Fulham was rejected by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) as he did "not meet the criteria for long-term deferment from full-time NS".[29] His father drew parallels to Joseph Schooling, a national swimmer who was granted deferment and went on to win Olympic medals.[30] [31]

MINDEF countered that Davis' contract with Fulham was no different from other pre-enlistees' personal pursuits and a further appeal supported by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) was also denied.[32] [33] The ministry also said that Davis did not meet the criteria for long-term deferment due to it being a personal pursuit, and that it was unfair to other pre-enlistees who served their NS commitments.[34] It further added that the deferment rejection was also based on grounds that Davis' father "would not commit to a date" on when his son would return to Singapore to serve NS, coupled with subsequent remarks to the media that he would encourage his son to renounce his Singapore citizenship in order to pursue his career.

On 11 January 2019, Davis failed to report for national service and since 18 February 2019 has been deemed as a defaulter.[35] [36] [37] While the FAS had previously supported Davis' deferment application, they condemned his decision to not return.[38] In October 2019, Davis eventually chose to represent Thailand and declared he would not return to Singapore despite being a citizen, and had no intentions to fulfill his national service obligations.[39]

International statistics

Singapore under-16 international caps

No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 28 July 2015 Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia1–3 (lost)2015 AFF U-16 Youth Championship
2 1 August 2015 Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia2–8 (lost) 2015 AFF U-16 Youth Championship
3 3 August 2015 Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia0–0 (draw) 2015 AFF U-16 Youth Championship

Singapore under-19 international caps

No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 4 November 2017 0–2 (lost) 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
2 6 November 2017 MFF Football Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 0–7 (lost) 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification
3 8 November 2017 MFF Football Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 2–4 (lost) 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualification

Thailand under-23 international caps

No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 14 January 2020 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand1–1 (draw) 2020 AFC U-23 Championship
2 18 January 2020 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand 0–1 (lost) 2020 AFC U-23 Championship
3. 25 October 2021 Ulaanbaatar, Mongoliaalign=center 1–1 (draw) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
4. 31 October 2021 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia align=center 0–0 (draw) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
5. 7 May 2022 Nam Dinh, Vietnamalign=center 1–2 (lost) 2021 Southeast Asian Games
6. 9 May 2022 Nam Dinh, Vietnam align=center 5–0 (win) 2021 Southeast Asian Games

International goals

Honours

Thailand U-23

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Fulham . English Football League . 29 . 20 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Ben Davis. Oxford United Football Club. 2 September 2021. 14 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220614234602/https://www.oufc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/benjamin-davis/. dead.
  3. News: Singapore teen Ben Davis chasing EPL dream hopeful of NS deferment. 8 August 2017. FourFourTwo. 16 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414233906/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/singapore-teen-ben-davis-chasing-epl-dream-hopeful-ns-deferment. 14 April 2018. dead.
  4. News: First Singaporean Premier League player may appeal military service . Reuters . 16 July 2018 . 30 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180801125015/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-singapore-conscription/first-singaporean-premier-league-player-may-appeal-military-service-idUKKBN1K61K0 . 1 August 2018 . live . Ungku . Fathin .
  5. News: Singapore teen Ben Davis signs pro contract with Fulham. 13 July 2018. The New Paper. 1 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094340/https://www.tnp.sg/sports/singapore-football/singapore-teen-ben-davis-signs-pro-contract-fulham. 1 August 2018. live.
  6. Web site: Fulham teenager Ben Davis cleared to play for Singapore U18 team. ESPN. Dasey. Jason. 1 November 2017. 13 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414172238/http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-football-asia/story/3255334/fulham-teenager-ben-davis-cleared-to-play-for-singapore-u18-team. 14 April 2018. live.
  7. Web site: Petition urges Singapore to defer military service for first Premier League player. 21 July 2018. South China Morning Post. 30 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190630211325/https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2156256/benjamin-davis-fulham-singapores-first-premier-league-player-gets. 30 June 2019. live.
  8. News: Football: Singaporean Ben Davis, 17, signs professional contract with EPL club Fulham. Shamir. Osman. 13 July 2018. The Straits Times. 1 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180801125049/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-singaporean-ben-davis-17-signs-professional-contract-with-epl-club-fulham. 1 August 2018. live.
  9. Web site: Ben Davis. www.fulhamfc.com. en. 2019-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717183604/https://www.fulhamfc.com/player-profiles/ben-davis. 2018-07-17. live.
  10. Web site: Ben settling in well at Fulham's academy. The Straits Times. 8 August 2017. 13 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313154837/http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/ben-settling-in-well-at-fulhams-academy. 13 March 2018. live.
  11. Web site: 'I don't have any regrets': Footballer Ben Davis has no plans to return to Singapore. 2019-10-17. CNA. en.
  12. Web site: Ben Davis Joins Oxford United. www.oufc.co.uk. 31 August 2021.
  13. Web site: Ben Davis Goes On Loan to Port FC . 3 August 2022 . Oxford United F.C. . 3 August 2022.
  14. Web site: U's Announce Summer Departures . 10 May 2023 . Oxford United F.C. . 10 May 2023.
  15. Web site: ฉลาม ซิว เบนจามิน เดวิส เปิดตัวทันทีกลางงาน ฉลามชล อวอร์ด. www.facebook.com. 19 May 2023.
  16. Web site: "ฉลามชล" ปล่อยตัว #เบนจามินเจมส์เดวิส ร่วมทัพ อุทัยธานี เอฟซี. www.facebook.com. 11 January 2024.
  17. Web site: ปิดดีล! อุทัยธานี เอฟซี เสริมแกร่งแดนกลางคว้า “เบนจามิน เจมส์ เดวิส” ร่วมทัพ. www.facebook.com. 11 January 2024.
  18. News: First Singaporean Premier League player may appeal military service. Ungku. Fathin. Reuters. 1 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180801125015/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-singapore-conscription/first-singaporean-premier-league-player-may-appeal-military-service-idUKKBN1K61K0. 1 August 2018. live.
  19. News: Singapore youth footballer Ben Davis settling well at Fulham FC's academy. Nicholas. De Silva. 8 August 2017. The Straits Times. 1 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213815/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/ben-settling-in-well-at-fulhams-academy. 25 June 2018. live.
  20. News: Football: Fulham trainee Ben, 16, impresses Singapore Under-18 coach. Wang Meng Meng. 1 November 2017. The Straits Times. 1 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001608/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/fulham-trainee-ben-16-impresses-national-u-18-coach. 26 June 2018. live.
  21. News: Luis. Ernest. 18 July 2018. Everything you need to know about Fulham's Ben Davis – the first Singaporean footballer signed by an English Premier League club. Business Insider Singapore. dead. 1 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190140/https://www.businessinsider.sg/ben-davis-fulham-first-singaporean-footballer-english-premier-league-club/. 1 August 2018.
  22. News: Fulham youngster Ben Davis and Baihakki Khaizan in Singapore squad. 13 March 2018. FOX Sports Asia. 1 August 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124747/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/812792/fulham-ben-davis-baihakki-khaizan-in-singapore-squad/. 1 August 2018.
  23. News: Fulham's 18-year-old midfielder Ben Davis called up to Thailand U23 side for Southeast Asian Games 2019 . 1 October 2019 . FOX Sports Asia . 28 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191001105558/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/1178323/fulham-18-year-old-midfielder-ben-davis-called-up-thailand-u23-side-southeast-asian-sea-games-2019/ . 1 October 2019 . live .
  24. News: Oxford United's former Fulham midfielder Ben Davis scores for Thailand Under 23s . James . Roberts . 9 May 2022 . Oxford Mail . 3 June 2022.
  25. Web site: เบนจามิน เจมส์... สลัด ชุดฉลาม เตรียมสวมเกราะช้างศึก ออกล่าความสำเร็จในนามทีมชาติช่วงฟีฟ่าเดย์!⁣ . facebook.com . 31 August 2023 . 2 August 2023 . th.
  26. News: Football: Fulham trainee Ben, 16, impresses Singapore Under-18 coach. The Straits Times . November 2017 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001608/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/fulham-trainee-ben-16-impresses-national-u-18-coach. 26 June 2018. 23 July 2018 . Meng . Wang Meng .
  27. Web site: Singapore youth footballer signs for English club Fulham. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191008010506/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-youth-footballer-signs-for-english-club-fulham-9038832. 2019-10-08. 2019-10-17. CNA. en.
  28. Web site: Breakdown in communication between Mindef and parents led youngster Ben Davis to play for Thailand: SCMP. 2019-10-19. The Independent Singapore. 2 October 2019. en.
  29. Web site: MINDEF rejects Fulham signee Ben Davis' application for NS deferment. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180724083004/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mindef-rejects-fulham-signee-ben-davis-application-for-ns-10530834. 2018-07-24. 2019-10-17. CNA. en.
  30. Web site: hermesauto. 2016-08-13. Olympics: Joseph Schooling's coronation complete as he wins Singapore's first gold. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190803055110/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/olympics-joseph-schoolings-coronation-complete-as-he-wins-singapores-first-gold. 2019-08-03. 2019-10-17. The Straits Times. en.
  31. Web site: Asian Games: Schooling wins Singapore's first gold medal after retaining 100m fly crown. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181012074958/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/asian-games-schooling-wins-singapore-s-first-gold-medal-after-10640864. 2018-10-12. 2019-10-17. CNA. en.
  32. Web site: Ben Davis' Fulham contract no different from other pre-enlistees' personal pursuits: MINDEF. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180724121232/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ben-davis-fulham-contract-personal-pursuit-mindef-10537186. 2018-07-24. 2019-10-17. CNA. en.
  33. Web site: Ben Davis has no intention to fulfil NS duties; actions meant to further his professional career: MINDEF. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181030224647/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ben-davis-has-no-intention-to-fulfil-ns-duties-mindef-10541112. 2018-10-30. 2019-10-17. CNA. en.
  34. Web site: January 11, 2019. Football: Ben Davis has not appealed for deferment from NS again, as February enlistment looms for Fulham player. https://web.archive.org/web/20190111232521/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-ben-davis-has-not-appealed-for-deferment-from-ns-again-says-mindef-as. 2019-01-11. 2019-01-11. The Straits Times.
  35. Web site: Reply to Queries on Ben Davis' Enlistment. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190701094548/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2019/February/18feb19_mq/. 2019-07-01. 2019-06-30. www.mindef.gov.sg.
  36. Web site: Footballer Ben Davis now a national service defaulter: Mindef. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190219025457/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/footballer-ben-davis-national-service-defaulter-mindef-105440565.html. 2019-02-19. 2019-02-19. sg.news.yahoo.com. 18 February 2019 .
  37. Web site: 18 February 2019. Football: Fulham player Ben Davis defaults on national service commitments. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190630211326/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-footballer-ben-davis-has-defaulted-on-his-national-service-commitments. 30 June 2019. 30 June 2019. The Straits Times.
  38. Web site: FAS' response to media query on Benjamin Davis' default on NS obligations - Football Association of Singapore.
  39. Web site: 2019-10-02. Fulham teen Ben Davis picks Thailand over Singapore after military service dispute. 2019-12-23. South China Morning Post. en.

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