William "Micky" Bennett was an association footballer who played in the 1890 FA Cup final for Sheffield Wednesday.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Bennett | ||
| Date of birth | c. 1862 | ||
| Place of birth | Mexborough, England | ||
| Date of death | 13 September 1919 | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1885–87 | Mexbro' | ||
| 1887–88 | Rotherham Town | ||
| 1888–89 | Doncaster Rovers | ||
| 1889–92 | The Wednesday | ||
| 1892-94 | Mexbro' | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
edit
He played as centre-forward for Rotherham Town, Mexborough, and Doncaster Rovers,[1] He was particularly noted for his heading ability,[2] and was said to "know no fear".[3] He won the Sheffield Senior Cup with Mexborough in 1885–86, heading the equalizer in a 2–1 win over Heeley in the final, at the Old Forge Ground.[4]
In the summer of 1889, he signed Sheffield Wednesday, amid controversy, as he had apparently signed contracts for both Wednesday and Rotherham Town; he was suspended by the Football Association while the issue was sorted out - Bennett's defence was that he was unable to write so could not have signed for Town.[5] The Association eventually ruled that Bennett could start playing for Wednesday after 1 November 1889.[6] Nevertheless, Town sued Bennett for £5 in damages, Bennett's mother being thrown out of court for interrupting Town's testimony;[7] Town was eventually awarded £5 10/9, to cover the travel costs for a substitute for a match in which Bennett had been selected.[8]
Bennett was not a regular for Wednesday, and had to be brought into the XI for the FA Cup final at the end of his first season, in order to replace an injured Winterbottom;[9] Wednesday duly went down 6–1 to Blackburn Rovers. Bennett did head home a cross in the first half but the goal was ruled out on the basis that the ball had already crossed the goal-line; he did eventually score from another header in the 53rd minute, but by this time Wednesday was already 4–0 down.
His career at Wednesday did not last long, and he finished his career with a couple of seasons back at Mexborough.[10][11]
Personal life
editBennett's younger brothers Walter and 'Tip' were also professional footballers, the former for Sheffield United amongst others and the latter for Barnsley.[12] He married Annie in 1879[13] and the couple had two sons and a daughter.
Bennett volunteered for duty in the First World War in 1915, despite being 53 years old,[14] joining the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry until rheumatism invalided him out a few months later.[15] He died at his home in Mexborough on 13 September 1919.[16]
References
edit- ^ ""Micky" Bennett". Sheffield Daily Telegraph: 7. 15 September 1919.
- ^ "Mexborough". Star Green 'un: 4. 20 September 1919.
- ^ "Athletic notes". Mexborough & Swinton Times: 7. 4 April 1890.
- ^ "Sheffield Challenge Cup". Sheffield Daily Telegraph: 4. 12 April 1886.
- ^ "The case of W. Bennett". Athletic News: 3. 23 September 1889.
- ^ "Athletic Notes". South Yorkshire Times: 8. 4 October 1889.
- ^ "The Bennett football case". Sheffield Evening Telegraph: 2. 18 January 1890.
- ^ "Rotherham action against a football player". Yorkshire Post: 7. 15 March 1890.
- ^ "Athletic notes". Mexborough & Swinton Times: 7. 4 April 1890.
- ^ "Football notes". Sheffield Independent: 8. 20 September 1892.
- ^ "Mexbro' play a determined game at Chesterfield". Derbyshire Times: 6. 4 March 1893.
- ^ Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United FC - Who's Who. Sheffield: Hallamshire Press. p. 50.
- ^ England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973, FHL Film Number 1545730, Reference ID 2:3DXJB76
- ^ "In brief". Newcastle Journal: 3. 29 November 1915.
- ^ "Marconigrams". South Yorkshire Times: 5. 25 March 1916.
- ^ ""Micky" Bennett". Sheffield Daily Telegraph: 7. 15 September 1919.