Ryan Bennett
Bennett playing for Norwich City in 2015
Personal information
Full name Ryan Bennett[1]
Date of birth (1990-03-06) 6 March 1990[2]
Place of birth Orsett, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre back[4]
Team information
Current team
 Cambridge United
Number 6
Youth career
1996–2006 Ipswich Town
2006–2007 Grimsby Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Grimsby Town 103 (6)
2009–2010 → Peterborough United (loan) 10 (1)
2010–2012 Peterborough United 74 (5)
2012–2017 Norwich City 101 (2)
2012 → Peterborough United (loan) 4 (0)
2017–2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers 74 (2)
2020 → Leicester City (loan) 5 (0)
2020–2022 Swansea City 46 (0)
2023– Cambridge United 43 (0)
International career
2008 England U18 1 (0)
2011–2012 England U21 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:43, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Ryan Bennett (born 6 March 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for EFL League One club Cambridge United.

He was a youth product of Ipswich Town but was not offered a professional contract and thus signed for Grimsby Town in 2006. He remained with Grimsby for a further four years in which he earnt international caps for England U18 as well as becoming the club captain at a young age. In his final full season, he scooped the board in the club's player of the season ceremony. Grimsby Town cashed in on him in 2010 by selling him to Peterborough United after an initial loan deal. Whilst with Peterborough he represented England U21s. Bennett went on to play in the Premier League with spells at Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City before joining Swansea City in 2020.

Club career

Grimsby Town

Bennett was born in Orsett, Essex.[5] He came to prominence in 2006 when Grimsby Town's youth team manager at the time, Neil Woods swooped to sign him after he was let go by the youth setup at Ipswich Town. Initially joining the club as part of the youth team midway through the 2006–07 campaign, he was soon promoted to the first team, managed at the time by Alan Buckley. Bennett would make his professional debut as an 88th-minute substitute, replacing Danny Boshell in a 2–1 win over Milton Keynes Dons in April 2007.[6] 21 days later he became the club's youngest ever captain, aged only 17 years old when Grimsby's all-time record appearance holder John McDermott passed him the skippers armband after being substituted in the local derby with Lincoln City.

In the summer of 2007 Bennett had re-established himself as one of the club's favoured centre backs, and in this he was handed the number 5 shirt for the coming season. He scored his first goal in professional football on the opening day of the 2007–08 season when his header from six yards opened the scoring in the 1–1 draw with Notts County at Blundell Park.[7] In that same season, Bennett largely was favoured in the place of club captain Justin Whittle in the heart of Town's defence, and he went on to play in the club's Football League Trophy final defeat to Milton Keynes Dons at Wembley Stadium. In May 2008, Bennett was given the "Supporters Young Player of the year" for the 2007–08 season.

With the appointment of Mike Newell as first team manager in October 2008, Bennett was handed the captain's arm-band for the remainder of the 2008–2009 campaign aged only 18. This was down to the fact that the new signing Matthew Heywood, who had also been designated the new club captain had fallen out of favour following several unconvincing performances, and Newell had preferred a youthful back pairing of Bennett and Rob Atkinson to the veteran duo of Heywood and Richard Hope. Bennett was ever present for the club during the 2008–09 season, and his consistently solid performances throughout a very difficult season for Grimsby saw Bennett win firstly the PFA Player of the Month for February, which would eventually be followed by several club accolades. He swept the board at the GTFC Player of the Year ceremony in May 2009, claiming the "Supporters Player of the Year" award, ~"Supporters Young Player of the year" as well as many other minor awards. Newell made repeated reference to Bennett's professionalism and maturity, and his unflappable playing style in particular was impressive for such a young defender, whilst his height made him an asset at set pieces. Also Bennett was described as comfortable on the ball.

On 13 May 2009, Grimsby were reported to have turned down a bid from Peterborough United after United's director of football Barry Fry publicly revealed that The Mariners had politely turned down a proposed move, mentioning that Grimsby said 'thanks for the interest but we wouldn't sell him for £1m'.[8] On 13 June, United stepped up in their aim to sign Bennett, and offered Grimsby a largely superior offer to their previous one. Grimsby chairman John Fenty rejected the offer three days later mentioning that he did not feel it was in the club's best interest to let Bennett go.[9] A week later Bennett confirmed he would be staying with Grimsby for the unforeseeable future by signing a new four-year deal to keep him at Blundell Park until the end of the 2012–13 season.

Peterborough United

Bennett playing for Peterborough United in 2011

Bennett eventually did a U-turn and signed for Peterborough United on 23 October 2009 on an initial three-month loan deal with a view to a permanent move.[10] Grimsby chairman John Fenty had a change of heart, and following a slow start to the season for his club, he decided to cash in on the Town skipper literally only days after sacking manager Mike Newell. Posh manager Darren Ferguson said of the transfer: "Ryan is an excellent signing for us, he has potential and fits in with our policy of bringing good, young players to the football club".[10] Bennett made his loan at London Road permanent on 23 January 2010, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract, with Grimsby reportedly receiving £500,000, possibly rising to £1 million.[11] Bennett scored against Barnsley on 3 December but Barnsley won 4–3. Bennett's final game for Peterborough was away at Doncaster, the Posh were 1–0 down in stoppage time until Bennett went down the wing and hooked the ball into the area for Tyrone Barnett who headed in on his debut after coming off the bench.

Norwich City

On 31 January 2012, Bennett signed for Premier League side Norwich City, for a reported £3.2 million. Club manager Paul Lambert said of the transfer: "I'm delighted we have signed Ryan. He's made a bright start to his career at Grimsby and Peterborough; he's an England U21 international and he's got so much potential."[12] Peterborough United defender Gabriel Zakuani compared Ryan Bennett's move to Norwich to a "divorce".[13] As part of the deal Bennett was immediately loaned back to Peterborough until the end of the month. Bennett was expected to sign for Swansea City and had begun the drive down to the Liberty Stadium only to be rung up and told to head for Norwich when the deal fell through. A 25% sell on clause meant that former club Grimsby Town earned for from the deal, with Grimsby chairman John Fenty revealing that Barry Fry had failed in an attempt to buy out the clause.

He scored his first goal for the club against Reading on 20 April 2013, which Norwich won 2–1.[14] He was voted as Norwich's Man of the Match for his performance, and would proceed to also achieve that feat twice more in the following home matches against Aston Villa and West Brom, the latter of which his shot was deflected off Gareth McAuley after a Wes Hoolahan free-kick and into the net.[15] Bennett scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season in a crucial home game against Hull City, where his 87th-minute header gave struggling Norwich a 1–0 victory.[16] The goal eased pressure on manager Chris Hughton, who had recently been under-fire for a string of constant poor performances dating back to early 2013.[17]

In May 2017, it was announced that Bennett would be released when his contract expired.[18]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 31 May 2017, he signed a three-year deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers.[19] Bennett scored his first goal for Wolves when he scored a last minute winner against Bristol City on 30 December 2017.[20] On 14 December 2018, it was announced that Bennett had extended his contract with Wolves until June 2021.[21]

On 19 January 2019, Bennett scored his debut Premier League goal for Wolves, a header from a João Moutinho corner, in a 4–3 victory over Leicester City at Molineux.[22] This goal was the first goal for Wolves scored by an Englishman in the Premier League since Matt Jarvis scored in a 3–2 defeat to Wigan Athletic on 13 May 2012.[23]

On 7 April 2019, Bennett made his debut appearance in an FA Cup semi-final (as a second-half substitute), as Wolves lost 2–3 to Watford at Wembley after extra time.[24]

On 25 July 2019, Bennett made his debut appearance in UEFA European competition, playing the full 90 minutes of Wolves's Europa League Qualifying Second Round First Leg match against Crusaders of Northern Ireland.[25] In the return leg on 1 August 2019, Bennett scored both for Wolves and an own-goal for Crusaders.[26]

Leicester City (loan)

On 31 January 2020, Bennett signed for Leicester City on a loan deal until the end of the 2019–20 season, with an option to buy for £5 million at the end of the loan. Bennett was brought to the King Power Stadium by Brendan Rodgers to provide competition for Jonny Evans and Çağlar Söyüncü.[27] He made his Leicester debut as a half time substitute against Crystal Palace on 4 July 2020.[28]

Swansea City

Bennett joined Swansea City on a permanent deal on 16 October 2020.[29]

Despite initially being a first team regular with Swansea, by March 2022, Bennett had fallen out of favour at Swansea, his manager Russell Martin announced that consistency of other players and the loan signing of Finley Burns from Manchester City had pushed him down the pecking order.[30]

On 1 September 2022, Bennett was released by mutual consent.[31]

On 23 September 2022, Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst said he would not rule out Bennett re-joining the club after he had begun training with the club again following his release by Swansea.[32]

Cambridge United

On 6 January 2023, Bennett signed a six-month contract with EFL League One club Cambridge United.[33] He was voted as Cambridge's Player of the Month for March 2023.[34]

At the end of the 2022–23 season, Cambridge announced that they had offered Bennett a new contract for the 2023–2024 season.[35]

Amid speculation of a return to Grimsby Town following news that he had recently taken up residence in the local area, a transfer never materialised and on 3 July Cambridge announced they had reached an agreement for Bennett to sign a new one-year deal.[36][37]

International career

Bennett warming up for the England under-21 team in 2012

Bennett was called up for the England national under-18 team that faced Austria at Victoria Park on 16 April 2008. It was his first England call-up. He played the full game in the 2–0 victory.[38] On 29 September 2011, Bennett was called up to the under-21 team for the first time by Stuart Pearce.[39] He made his debut in a 2–1 win away to Norway on 10 October 2011.[40]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Grimsby Town 2006–07[41] League Two 5000000050
2007–08[42] 40130104[lower-alpha 1]0481
2008–09[43] 45510102[lower-alpha 1]0495
2009–10[44] 130—101[lower-alpha 1]0150
Total 10364030701176
Peterborough United 2009–10[44] Championship 22110——231
2010–11[45] League One 34430213[lower-alpha 2]0425
2011–12[46] Championship 3211020—351
Total 8865041301007
Norwich City 2011–12[46] Premier League 80———80
2012–13[47] 1512030—201
2013–14[48] 1611030—201
2014–15[49] Championship 7010000080
2015–16[50] Premier League 2201030—260
2016–17[51] Championship 3302020—370
Total 101270110001192
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2017–18[52] Championship 2911030—331
2018–19[53] Premier League 3415010—401
2019–20[54] 11000206[lower-alpha 3]1191
Total 742606061923
Leicester City (loan) 2019–20[54] Premier League 500000—50
Swansea City 2020–21[55] Championship 2801000—290
2021–22[56] 1801010—200
Total 460201000490
Cambridge United 2022–23[57] League One 210000000210
2023–24[58] 220200000240
Total 430200000450
Career total 4601626025116152718

Honours

Peterborough United

Norwich City

Wolverhampton Wanderers

References

  1. ↑ "Updated squad lists for 2019/20 Premier League". Premier League. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "Ryan Bennett". ESPN. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Ryan Bennett: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "Ryan Bennett". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "R. Bennett: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  6. ↑ "MK Dons 1–2 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  7. ↑ "Grimsby 1–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  8. ↑ "Posh interested in Grimsby star". BBC Sport. 13 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  9. ↑ "Sport - Latest sports news from Grimsby and the UK - Grimsby Telegraph". www.sportgrimsby.co.uk.
  10. 1 2 "Peterborough United | News | Latest News | Latest News | Posh Swoop for Defender Bennett". Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Bennett cash boost". Grimsby Telegraph. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  12. ↑ "Norwich City complete signing of Peterborough defender Ryan Bennett". EDP. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  13. ↑ "Gabby Zakuani laments Ryan Bennett 'divorce'". BBC Sport. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "Norwich 2–1 Reading". BBC Sport. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "Norwich 4–0 West Brom". BBC Sport. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Norwich 1–0 Hull". BBC Sport. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  17. ↑ "Norwich City: Chris Hughton 'desperate' to improve Canaries". BBC Sport. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Seven senior players set to leave". Norwich City F.C. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "Bennett To Join Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "Bristol City 1-2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  21. ↑ "Ryan Bennett agrees new contract at Wolves". sportsmole.co.uk. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  22. ↑ Reddy, Luke (19 January 2019). "Wolves 4–3 Leicester City -- Jota hat-trick as Wolves win thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  23. ↑ Mashiter, Nick (19 January 2019). "Wolves vs Leicester: Diogo Jota hat-trick caps seven-goal thriller as injury-time winner seals incredible win". The Independent. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  24. ↑ "Watford 3–2 Wolves -- Deulofeu inspires stunning comeback to reach FA Cup final". BBC Sport. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  25. ↑ "Wolves 2–0 Crusaders -- Wolves take two-goal lead over Crusaders". BBC Sport. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  26. ↑ "Crusaders 1–4 Wolves -- Europa League: Wolves ease to qualifier win over Crusaders in Belfast". BBC Sport. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  27. ↑ "Ryan Bennett: Wolves defender joins Leicester for rest of season". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  28. ↑ "Brendan Rodgers questioned on Ryan Bennett's future with loanee ready for crucial role". leicestermercury.co.uk. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  29. ↑ "Swansea City seal signing of Ryan Bennett". Swansea City. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  30. ↑ "Russell Martin explains why Ryan Bennett can't get in the Swans team anymore". 7 March 2022.
  31. ↑ "Swansea City and Ryan Bennett mutually agree to terminate defender's contract". September 2022.
  32. ↑ "Hurst on Ryan Bennett's future as ex-Grimsby Town captain spotted in training". Grimsbylive. 23 September 2022.
  33. ↑ "Ex-Wolves defender Bennett joins Cambridge". BBC Sport. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "Ryan Bennett wins Love Cambridge Player of the Month".
  35. ↑ "2023 Retained List published".
  36. ↑ "Grimsby Town ready to turn to familiar face for next signing". Grimsbylive. 11 June 2023.
  37. ↑ "Ryan Bennett signs new contract".
  38. ↑ Phillips, Mark (16 January 2008). "England are all Hart". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  39. ↑ "Posh's Ryan Bennett named in England Under 21 squad" Peterborough Today. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  40. ↑ "Norway 1–2 England" The FA.com. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  44. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  46. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  54. 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  57. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  58. ↑ "Games played by Ryan Bennett in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  59. ↑ Begley, Emlyn (29 May 2011). "Huddersfield 0–3 Peterborough". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  60. ↑ Shepka, Phil (25 May 2015). "Middlesbrough 0–2 Norwich City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  61. ↑ Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 386–387. ISBN 978-1-4722-6106-9.
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