Walter Bennett (April 1874 – 6 April 1908) was a professional footballer who is best known for his time with Sheffield United, where he played as a forward. He also made two appearances for England in 1901.
Walter Bennett
The 1901 losing Cup Final team; Bennett is seated on the left.
Born in Mexborough,[1] during his time with the Blades he won the Division One championship in 1898 and two FA Cup winners medals in 1899 and 1902. He later went on to have a two-year spell at Bristol City before retiring from full-time football.
Nicknamed "Cocky", Bennett started his career with his home town club of Mexborough, where his form prompted Sheffield United to try and sign him on a number of occasions although both he and his father held out for a better deal.[2] He eventually signed for the Blades in 1896 for a transfer fee of £10.[1] Initially supporters felt Bennett had a surly attitude and was not fit enough to play at the top level as he was a heavy, thick-set man. Dropping two stones following a fitness regime, however, he showed a good turn of speed and became a mainstay of the Blades side that dominated the game in that period.[1]
Bennett was the top scorer in the side that were crowned First Division Champions in 1898 and played in the FA Cup finals of 1899, 1901 and 1902, being on the losing side only in 1901.[1]
Despite his success Bennett was placed on the transfer list in 1903 but persuaded United to give him a new contract and stayed with the South Yorkshire club until 1905, when he moved to Bristol City. Despite being past his prime, Bennett helped his new club to the Second Division championship in 1906 before retiring from full-time football.[1]
Bennett came from a footballing family: his brother William had played for The Wednesday and appeared in the 1890 FA Cup Final,[1] whilst another brother 'Tip' played for Barnsley.[2] After leaving Bristol City he moved to Denaby Main, where he took a job as a miner and played for the local amateur side. Bennett was killed in April 1908 following a roof fall at the Denaby Main Colliery[1] as he was making his way back to the surface after his shift, leaving a widow and four children.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefgDenis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 50. ISBN978-1-874718-69-7.
^ abcGary Armstrong & John Garrett (2006). Sheffield United FC - The Biography. Hallamshire Press. p. 87. ISBN1-874718-65-2.
External linksedit
Walter Bennett at Englandstats.com
December 18, 2023
walter, bennett, footballer, born, 1874, walter, bennett, april, 1874, april, 1908, professional, footballer, best, known, time, with, sheffield, united, where, played, forward, also, made, appearances, england, 1901, walter, bennettthe, 1901, losing, final, t. Walter Bennett April 1874 6 April 1908 was a professional footballer who is best known for his time with Sheffield United where he played as a forward He also made two appearances for England in 1901 Walter BennettThe 1901 losing Cup Final team Bennett is seated on the left Personal informationFull nameWalter BennettDate of birthApril 1874Place of birthMexborough EnglandDate of death6 April 1908 1908 04 06 aged 33 Place of deathDenaby Main EnglandPosition s ForwardSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls Mexborough1896 1905Sheffield United195 59 1905 1907Bristol City48 22 1907 1908Denaby UnitedInternational career1901England2 0 Club domestic league appearances and goalsBorn in Mexborough 1 during his time with the Blades he won the Division One championship in 1898 and two FA Cup winners medals in 1899 and 1902 He later went on to have a two year spell at Bristol City before retiring from full time football Contents 1 Playing career 1 1 Club career 1 2 International career 1 3 Honours 2 Personal life 3 References 4 External linksPlaying career editClub career edit Nicknamed Cocky Bennett started his career with his home town club of Mexborough where his form prompted Sheffield United to try and sign him on a number of occasions although both he and his father held out for a better deal 2 He eventually signed for the Blades in 1896 for a transfer fee of 10 1 Initially supporters felt Bennett had a surly attitude and was not fit enough to play at the top level as he was a heavy thick set man Dropping two stones following a fitness regime however he showed a good turn of speed and became a mainstay of the Blades side that dominated the game in that period 1 Bennett was the top scorer in the side that were crowned First Division Champions in 1898 and played in the FA Cup finals of 1899 1901 and 1902 being on the losing side only in 1901 1 Despite his success Bennett was placed on the transfer list in 1903 but persuaded United to give him a new contract and stayed with the South Yorkshire club until 1905 when he moved to Bristol City Despite being past his prime Bennett helped his new club to the Second Division championship in 1906 before retiring from full time football 1 International career edit Bennett was awarded two caps for England playing against Wales and Scotland in the 1901 Home Championship Honours edit Sheffield United Division One champions 1897 98 Runners up 1896 97 and 1899 1900 FA Cup winners 1899 1902 Finalists 1901Bristol City Division Two champions 1905 06Personal life editBennett came from a footballing family his brother William had played for The Wednesday and appeared in the 1890 FA Cup Final 1 whilst another brother Tip played for Barnsley 2 After leaving Bristol City he moved to Denaby Main where he took a job as a miner and played for the local amateur side Bennett was killed in April 1908 following a roof fall at the Denaby Main Colliery 1 as he was making his way back to the surface after his shift leaving a widow and four children 2 References edit a b c d e f g Denis Clarebrough amp Andrew Kirkham 2008 Sheffield United Who s Who Hallamshire Press p 50 ISBN 978 1 874718 69 7 a b c Gary Armstrong amp John Garrett 2006 Sheffield United FC The Biography Hallamshire Press p 87 ISBN 1 874718 65 2 External links editWalter Bennett at Englandstats com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Walter Bennett footballer born 1874 amp oldid 1166106768, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
