Alan Bennett (Irish footballer)
Encyclopedia
Alan John Bennett is an Irish
professional association footballer. He plays for Cheltenham Town
and has played for the Republic of Ireland national football team
.
, Republic of Ireland
and joined Cork City from local club Richmond. He initially played in midfield
, but during the 2004 season changed to centre-half. He made more than 150 appearances for the "Rebel Army", scoring ten goals. During his time at Cork City, Bennett played in The UEFA Cup and Champions league and also won a Youths FAI medal in 2000, National league Medal in 2005 and 3 Munster Senior Cup medals. Following several bids, Bennett joined Reading on a two and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee thought to be £250,000 on 30 January 2007.
On 31 July 2007, he was loaned for six months to Southampton
and made his debut during a home defeat to Crystal Palace
. He returned to Reading in January 2008. On 7 March 2008, he joined Brentford
on loan during this time Bennett scored his first goal in English football against Bradford City.
On 28 July 2008, Bennett was told that he did not feature in Reading's plans and was told to find a new club. He began a second loan spell at Brentford
on 8 August 2008, initially for one month, although this was extended to five months on 31 August 2008, following a Man-of-the-Match performances against Rotherham United
and Notts County FC. His loan was then extended for a third time until the end of the 2008–09 season. Bennett appeared in over 50 games for Brentford in the 2008–09 season and assumed the role of team captain in the absence of regular skipper Kevin O'Connor. As O'Connor was out for the match that decided if they won the league or not Bennett was made captain and lifted the League 2 trophy after a 3-1 victory over Darlington
. Bennett scored the opening goal in this fixture.
At the end of the 2008–09 season, Bennett was released by Reading. He signed a permanent contract with Brentford on 30 July 2009 which will run until June 2011 and was appointed Club captain.
On 16 February 2010 Bennett joined Wycombe Wanderers
on a one-month emergency loan. He returned to Brentford at the end of the loan period because of the Bees' lack of defensive cover, but signed a new loan deal with Wycombe until the end of the season on 25 March 2010. One week later, before he had made any further appearances for the club, he sustained an ankle injury that looked to have ruled him out for the rest of the season and he returned to Brentford for treatment. However, he recovered quicker than expected and returned to training at Wycombe in late April. He returned to the team for the final game of the season against Gillingham
, scoring his first goal for the club during this match.
On 23 July 2010 Bennett joined Wycombe Wanderers on a permanent one-year contract. Bennett was part of the Wycombe Wanderers squad that achieved automatic promotion to League 1 that year, unfortunately injuries curtailed his appearances.
On 4 July 2011 Bennett joined Cheltenham Town on a one year contract
team in 2001. In 2007 Bennett was called up to the Ireland 'B' squad for a game against Scotland 'B' in Airdrie.
In May 2007, he was called up to the full Republic of Ireland
team for their two match trip to the United States
. Bennett played the full 90 minutes against Ecuador
, helping Ireland to a 1–1 draw. He then played in the following match against Bolivia
, which also ended 1–1, during which he made a saving tackle to keep the Bolivians from going ahead.
Brentford
Wycombe
League 2 Promtion 10/11
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
professional association footballer. He plays for Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
and has played for the Republic of Ireland national football team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
Club career
Bennett was born in CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and joined Cork City from local club Richmond. He initially played in midfield
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, but during the 2004 season changed to centre-half. He made more than 150 appearances for the "Rebel Army", scoring ten goals. During his time at Cork City, Bennett played in The UEFA Cup and Champions league and also won a Youths FAI medal in 2000, National league Medal in 2005 and 3 Munster Senior Cup medals. Following several bids, Bennett joined Reading on a two and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee thought to be £250,000 on 30 January 2007.
On 31 July 2007, he was loaned for six months to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and made his debut during a home defeat to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. He returned to Reading in January 2008. On 7 March 2008, he joined Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on loan during this time Bennett scored his first goal in English football against Bradford City.
On 28 July 2008, Bennett was told that he did not feature in Reading's plans and was told to find a new club. He began a second loan spell at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on 8 August 2008, initially for one month, although this was extended to five months on 31 August 2008, following a Man-of-the-Match performances against Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
and Notts County FC. His loan was then extended for a third time until the end of the 2008–09 season. Bennett appeared in over 50 games for Brentford in the 2008–09 season and assumed the role of team captain in the absence of regular skipper Kevin O'Connor. As O'Connor was out for the match that decided if they won the league or not Bennett was made captain and lifted the League 2 trophy after a 3-1 victory over Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. Bennett scored the opening goal in this fixture.
At the end of the 2008–09 season, Bennett was released by Reading. He signed a permanent contract with Brentford on 30 July 2009 which will run until June 2011 and was appointed Club captain.
On 16 February 2010 Bennett joined Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
on a one-month emergency loan. He returned to Brentford at the end of the loan period because of the Bees' lack of defensive cover, but signed a new loan deal with Wycombe until the end of the season on 25 March 2010. One week later, before he had made any further appearances for the club, he sustained an ankle injury that looked to have ruled him out for the rest of the season and he returned to Brentford for treatment. However, he recovered quicker than expected and returned to training at Wycombe in late April. He returned to the team for the final game of the season against Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, scoring his first goal for the club during this match.
On 23 July 2010 Bennett joined Wycombe Wanderers on a permanent one-year contract. Bennett was part of the Wycombe Wanderers squad that achieved automatic promotion to League 1 that year, unfortunately injuries curtailed his appearances.
On 4 July 2011 Bennett joined Cheltenham Town on a one year contract
International career
Bennett received a call up for the Republic of Ireland under-21Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
team in 2001. In 2007 Bennett was called up to the Ireland 'B' squad for a game against Scotland 'B' in Airdrie.
In May 2007, he was called up to the full Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
team for their two match trip to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Bennett played the full 90 minutes against Ecuador
Ecuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
, helping Ireland to a 1–1 draw. He then played in the following match against Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
, which also ended 1–1, during which he made a saving tackle to keep the Bolivians from going ahead.
Honours
Cork City- League of Ireland 2005
Brentford
- League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
: 2008–09Football League Two 2008–09The Football League 2008–09, known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is the 17th season under its current league division format. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals....
Wycombe
League 2 Promtion 10/11
External links
- Alan Bennett profile at readingfc.co.uk
- Republic of Ireland profile