Harry Benson (footballer)

Harry Benson
Personal information
Full nameHarry Lewis Benson[1]
Date of birth22 January 1883
Place of birthHartshill, Staffordshire, England[1]
Date of death1953 (aged 70)[1]
Playing positionFull-back
Youth career
Shelton Albion
Porthill
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1901–1907Stoke87(0)
1907–1908Northampton Town
1908–1911Port Vale43(0)
Total130+(0+)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Harry Lewis Benson (22 January 1883 – 1953) was an English footballer who played for Stoke, Northampton Town and Port Vale.[1]

Playing career

Benson played for non-league Shelton Albion and Porthill, before joining local Football League side Stoke in 1901.[1] It took him three seasons before he could become a regular under Horace Austerberry; he took over from the injured Charlie Burgess in 1904–05, making 27 appearances.[1] He partnered Burgess in 1905–06 with the pair missing only five games between them.[1] He played six matches in 1906–07 as Stoke were relegated from the First Division, and then departed the Victoria Ground. Benson then moved to Southern League side Northampton Town. He then moved onto the newly reformed Port Vale in December 1908.[2] His first game was against the reserve outfit of Stoke, Vale's rivals and Benson's old club; Vale lost 2–1.[2] He was their first choice left-back between December 1908 and December 1910, but was released in 1911 with 43 North Staffs League appearances to his name.[2]

Career statistics

Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke 1901–02 First Division 100010
1902–03 600060
1903–04 13000130
1904–05 25020270
1905–06 36020380
1906–07 600060
Total 87040910
Port Vale 1908–09 North Staffs League 14000140
1909–10 18000180
1910–11 11000110
Total 43000430
Career Total 1300401340

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 26. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.