| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan John Bennett | ||
| Date of birth | October 4, 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Cork, Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Cheltenham Town | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000-2006 | Cork City | 161 | (10) |
| 2007-2009 | Reading | 0 | (0) |
| 2007-2008 | → Southampton (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2008 | → Brentford (loan) | 11 | (1) |
| 2008-2009 | → Brentford (loan) | 44 | (1) |
| 2009-2010 | Brentford | 13 | (0) |
| 2010 | → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) | 6 | (1) |
| 2010–2011 | Wycombe Wanderers | 24 | (0) |
| 2011– | Cheltenham Town | 24 | (2) |
| National team | |||
| 2001 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 1 | (0) |
| 2007 | Republic of Ireland B | 1 | (0) |
| 2007 | Republic of Ireland | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Alan John Bennett (born 4 October 1981) is an Irish professional association footballer. He plays for Cheltenham Town and has played for the Republic of Ireland national football team.
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Bennett was born in Cork, 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,[1] Bennett joined Reading on a two and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee thought to be £250,000 on 30 January 2007.[2]
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.[3][4]
On 28 July 2008, Bennett was told that he did not feature in Reading's plans and was told to find a new club.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] However, he recovered quicker than expected and returned to training at Wycombe in late April.[9] 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.[10] 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 [11]
Bennett received a call up for the Republic of Ireland under-21 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.[12] Bennett played the full 90 minutes against Ecuador, helping Ireland to a 1–1 draw.[13] He then played in the following match against Bolivia, which also ended 1–1,[14] during which he made a saving tackle to keep the Bolivians from going ahead.
Wycombe
League 2 Promtion 10/11
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