Warren, Ben - Rams star found naked in Derby street

A new book written by Derby author Peter Seddon includes the Derby County, Chelsea, and England star Ben Warren among its chosen subjects. Warren was born in Newhall and died after being certified insane

BEN WARREN is one of the select group of men born in Derbyshire to play football for England.

Now his obituary has been included in a new book published in September 2007 - Pickles the World Cup Dog and other Unusual Football Obituaries.

The book has been written by the Derby author Peter Seddon, who is also the author of 'The Little Book of Derby County' and 'Steve Bloomer - Football's First Superstar'.

Here is the entry for Ben Warren.

WARREN, BENJAMIN ‘BEN’, the England half-back, who from 1899 to 1911 served Derby County and Chelsea, died aged 37 on 15 January, 1917. Born in Newhall, Derbyshire, on May 7, 1879, he rose to national fame – 334 League games and 22 caps for his country (1906-11) – but no England international endured a more poignant decline.

On joining Chelsea (1908) he suffered home sickness, so returned each Saturday night to his Derbyshire abode. After sustaining a knee injury he suffered a mental breakdown and retired due to ill health in 1911-12. He began to be plagued by delusions and paranoia, believing he was being poisoned.

After being certified insane he entered the Derbyshire Lunatic Asylum, reaching his lowest point when he was found wandering along a Derby street naked except for a collar and tie.

He died of tuberculosis and was survived by his wife Minnie and four children. Despite his father’s vicissitudes, his son Harry became a professional, and in the 1950s proved a good manager to Southend United.

Warren's is one of almost 250 football obituaries included in the book. While many are poignant, others are amusing or quirky in flavour, and quite a few have a link to Derby County or Derbyshire. The book is available at £9.99 via internet sellers or all good bookshops.

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