A Danny Cowley-era defender, released by Michael Appleton after a single Lincoln City appearance, is a free agent once again after being released by his latest club.
Ben Coker is one of six players being released by Ebbsfleet United after they finished ninth, outside the play-off spots in the National League North. Coker appeared 41 times for The Fleet this season, which is exactly 40 times more than he appeared for the Imps.
Prior to his move to Sincil Bank, Coker had built a strong reputation during six seasons with Southend United, where his reliability at left-back and quality from set-pieces played a key role in their 2015 promotion and earned him a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year. Earlier spells with Colchester United and in non-league football highlighted his versatility, often operating further forward when required.
Signed in August 2019 while recovering from a serious knee injury, his arrival was initially meant to go unnoticed until Harry Anderson revealed the move on social media, prompting a swift official announcement. He joined under Danny and Nicky Cowley, but by the time he was fit enough to feature, they had departed.
Under Michael Appleton, Coker made a single appearance in the EFL Trophy against Rotherham United before heading out on loan to Cambridge United and later Stevenage, with that brief outing representing an important milestone in his return from a lengthy lay-off. He was released in the summer of 2020 ahead of our play-off final season.
After leaving Lincoln, he re-established himself at Stevenage with over 70 league appearances, before moving on to Solihull Moors and then Barnet, where he was part of a title-winning campaign. He later joined The Fleet ahead of the 2025-26 season, bringing experience and leadership to their left flank.
Now 35, Coker will surely still be of interest to sides at National League South, or indeed lower, given his vast EFL experience, and his regular game time this season for Ebbsfleet.
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