User:Beatpoet/sandboxWinterbottom

Benjamin Harry Winterbottom (born 16 July 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays for club Brentford as a goalkeeper.

Winterbottom is a product of the Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool academies and began his professional career with the latter club in 2020. He transferred to Brentford B in 2021 and was promoted into the first team squad in 2024.

Youth years
A goalkeeper, Winterbottom began his career in the academy at Blackburn Rovers at U10 level and progressed to sign a scholarship deal in 2017. Heading into the final months of his scholarship, he transferred to the the Liverpool academy in April 2019. Signed as a "training goalkeeper", Winterbottom quickly progressed into the U23 team and won what was to be his only call up to the Liverpool senior squad for an EFL Cup quarter-final match versus Aston Villa on 17 December 2019. He remained an unused substitute during the 5–0 defeat and also made two appearances during the U21 team's EFL Trophy campaign. Winterbottom's progression was such that he signed a professional contract in July 2020, but he elected to transfer away from The Academy in January 2021.

Brentford
On 29 January 2021, Winterbottom transferred to the B team at then-Championship club Brentford and signed a $2 1/2$-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed fee. He participated in first team training during the 2021–22 season and was a part of the B team's London Senior Cup-winning squad.

Owing to Brentford's two first-choice goalkeepers being unavailable, Winterbottom was included in the first team squad for its mid-2022–23 season training camp and he made three friendly appearances during the period. He trained regularly with the first team squad during the season. The one-year option on Winterbottom's contract was taken up in June 2023 and on 17 October 2023, he signed a new two-year contract, with the option of a further year.

On 1 August 2023, Winterbottom joined National League South club Welling United on loan until January 2024. He made 18 appearances prior to the expiration of the loan. Winterbottom played the remainder of the 2023-24 season for the B team and was promoted into the first team squad in June 2024.

Career statistics


Honours
Brentford B


 * London Senior Cup: 2021–22