Paul Bennett (footballer, born 1961)

Paul Bennett (born 30 January 1961) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Port Vale.

Paul Bennett
Personal information
Full name Paul Bennett[1]
Date of birth (1961-01-31) 31 January 1961 (age 63)[1]
Place of birth Liverpool, England[1]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1982 Port Vale 30 (1)
Northwich Victoria
Telford United
Buxton
1989–1995 Stalybridge Celtic 124 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

edit

Bennett was an Everton youth team player before joining Port Vale in September 1978.[1] He made his debut as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Peterborough United at London Road on 1 November 1980, and three weeks later he scored his first goal in a 4–2 win over Bradford City.[1] He went on to play 26 Fourth Division games in the 1980–81 season, and scored his first goal in the Football League from the penalty spot in a 2–0 win over York City at Vale Park on 7 March.[1] However, he then fell out of favour under manager John McGrath and played just four league games the following season and was given a free transfer in May 1982.[1] He then moved on to Alliance Premier League club Northwich Victoria (in two spells), Telford United, Buxton (Northern Premier League) and Stalybridge Celtic.[1]

Bennett joined Stalybridge Celtic in July 1989 and made 12 appearances in the 1990–91 season as Celtic finished runners-up in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.[3] He made 53 appearances in the 1991–92 campaign, scoring four goals, as the club secured promotion as champions of the Northern Premier League; he also played in the President's Cup with a 2–1 defeat to Morecambe.[3] He played 45 games in the 1992–93 season as Celtic finished mid-table in the Conference.[3] He played 39 games in the 1993–94 season, scoring one goal.[3] He retired after featuring 15 times in the 1994–95 campaign.[3]

Career statistics

edit

Source:[4][3]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Port Vale 1980–81 Fourth Division 26 1 4 1 0 0 30 2
1981–82 Fourth Division 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
Total 30 1 4 1 1 0 35 2
Stalybridge Celtic 1990–91 Northern Premier League
Premier Division
12 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
1991–92 Northern Premier League
Premier Division
37 3 4 1 12 0 53 4
1992–93 Conference 35 0 3 0 7 0 45 0
1993–94 Conference 28 1 7 0 4 0 39 1
1994–95 Conference 12 0 1 0 2 0 15 0
Total 124 4 15 1 25 0 164 5

Honours

edit

Stalybridge Celtic'

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 26. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ Rollin, Jack (1980). Rothmans football yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 299. ISBN 0362020175. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Stalybridge Celtic - Official Site - Player Profile Paul Bennett". www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  4. ^ Paul Bennett at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)