Scot Bennett Explained

Scot Bennett
Fullname:Scot Andrew Bennett[1]
Birth Date:30 November 1990[2]
Birth Place:Newquay, England
Height:1.78m (05.84feet)[3]
Position:Defender / Midfielder
Currentclub:Cheltenham Town
Clubnumber:17
Youthyears1:–2008
Youthclubs1:Exeter City
Years1:2008–2015
Clubs1:Exeter City
Caps1:132
Goals1:18
Years2:2015–2016
Clubs2:Notts County
Caps2:6
Goals2:0
Years3:2015
Clubs3:Newport County (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Years4:2016
Clubs4:York City (loan)
Caps4:11
Goals4:0
Years5:2016–2024
Clubs5:Newport County
Caps5:288
Goals5:9
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Cheltenham Town
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Club-Update:18:40, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

Scot Andrew Bennett (born 30 November 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for club Cheltenham Town.

Career

Exeter City

Bennett was born in Newquay, Cornwall[4] and started his career with Exeter City's youth system. He made his first-team debut for Exeter as a substitute in the 74th minute of a 1–0 home victory over Swindon Town in League One on 29 March 2011.

Bennett scored his first goal on 26 November 2011 in a 3–0 home win over Tranmere Rovers. Bennett signed a new contract, the length of which was undisclosed, with Exeter in April 2012.[5] In July 2014, Exeter manager Paul Tisdale announced that Bennett would succeed Danny Coles as captain.[6]

Notts County

Bennett signed for newly relegated League Two club Notts County on a two-year contract on 27 May 2015.[7] On 8 October 2015, he joined Notts County's divisional rivals Newport County on loan until January 2016.[8] He made his debut for Newport when starting in their 3–0 away defeat against Mansfield Town on 10 October 2015. Bennett scored his first goal for Newport on 8 November 2015 in their 2–2 away draw with Brackley Town in the FA Cup first round. He was recalled by Notts County on 31 December 2015.[9]

On 11 March 2016, Bennett joined Notts County's League Two rivals York City on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season.[10] He debuted the following day when starting York's 1–1 home draw with Barnet.

Newport County

Bennett's contract at Notts County was cancelled by mutual consent on 2 June 2016,[11] and the same day he rejoined Newport County on a two-year contract.[12] Bennett was part of the Newport squad that completed the 'Great Escape' with a 2–1 victory at home to Notts County on the final day of the 2016–17 season, which ensured Newport's survival in League Two.[13] Bennett signed a new two-year contract with Newport in April 2018.[14] He was part of the team that reached the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019. Newport lost to Tranmere Rovers 1–0 after a goal in the 119th minute.[15]

In June 2020 Bennett was released by Newport County at the end of the 2019–20 season due to the club's Coronavirus pandemic financial concerns.[16] Bizarrely, in July 2020 Bennett was selected as Newport's Player of the Year for the 2019-20 season.[17] On 4 August 2020 Bennett rejoined Newport on a one-year contract.[18] Bennett played for Newport in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021 which Newport lost to Morecambe, 1–0 after a 107th minute penalty.[19] In June 2021 his Newport contract was extended for a further two years.[20] In June 2023 Bennett's Newport contract was extended for a further year.[21]

On 4 June 2024, the club confirmed that Bennett would be departing the club on 30 June 2024 upon the expiration of his contract.[22]

Cheltenham Town

Bennett signed for newly relegated League Two club Cheltenham Town on 14 June 2024, linking up with his former manager at Newport, Michael Flynn.[23]

Style of play

Bennett plays as a defender or midfielder.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Exeter City2008–09League Two0000000000
2009–10League One0000000000
2010–11League One1000000010
2011–12League One153000000153
2012–13League Two436101010466
2013–14League Two456101010486
2014–15League Two283101010313
Total1321830303014118
Notts County2015–16League Two60100070
Newport County (loan)2015–16League Two12031151
York City (loan)2015–16League Two110110
Newport County2016–17League Two390401031471
2017–18League Two282401030362
2018–19League Two382502050502
2019–20League Two281302041372
2020–21League Two382302050482
2021–22League Two331001000341
2022–23League Two391201020441
2023–24League Two450602030560
Total288927012025235211
Cheltenham Town2024–25League Two2000000020
Career total4512733116028252830

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 10 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Scot Bennett . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 10 April 2020.
  3. Web site: Scot Bennett . Newport County A.F.C. . 10 April 2020.
  4. Web site: Scott Bennett: Profile . worldfootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 10 April 2020.
  5. News: Exeter City defender Scot Bennett signs new deal . Sarah . Binning . BBC Sport . 25 April 2012 . 10 March 2016.
  6. News: Audio: Tisdale confirms Scot Bennett as new Exeter City captain . Simon . Larkins . Express & Echo . Exeter . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140930142152/http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/AUDIO-Tisdale-confirms-Scot-Bennett-new-Exeter/story-21640870-detail/story.html . 30 September 2014.
  7. News: Scot Bennett: Notts County sign Exeter captain . BBC Sport . 27 May 2015 . 10 March 2016.
  8. News: Scot Bennett: Notts County midfielder joins Newport on loan . BBC Sport . 8 October 2015 . 10 March 2016.
  9. News: Scot Bennett: Notts County recall Newport County defender . BBC Sport . 31 December 2015 . 10 March 2016.
  10. Web site: Scot Bennett and Colby Bishop head out on loan . Notts County F.C. . 11 March 2016 . 3 September 2017.
  11. News: Scot Bennett is first Notts County casualty under John Sheridan . James . Pallatt . Nottingham Post . 2 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602151412/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Scot-Bennett-Notts-County-casualty-John-Sheridan/story-29352250-detail/story.html . 2 June 2016.
  12. News: Scot Bennett: Newport County sign Notts County defender on two-year deal . BBC Sport . 2 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602151505/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36437123 . 2 June 2016.
  13. News: Newport County 2–1 Notts County . BBC Sport . 6 May 2017 . 6 May 2017.
  14. News: Scot Bennett pens fresh two-year Newport County AFC deal . David . Williams . South Wales Argus . Newport . 26 April 2018 . 30 June 2018.
  15. News: League Two play-off final: Newport County 0–1 Tranmere Rovers . Michael . Pearlman . 25 May 2019 . BBC Sport . 6 December 2019.
  16. Web site: NEWPORT COUNTY AFC CONFIRM LIST OF PLAYERS RETAINED AND RELEASED. www.newport-county.co.uk.
  17. https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2020/july/virtual-awards-2019-20/ Bennett Player of the Year
  18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53657364 Bennett rejoins Newport
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57224523 Morecambe beat Newport
  20. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57501937 Bennett contract extended
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65909078 Bennett 1 year extension
  22. Web site: Scot Bennett departs Newport County after eight seasons. www.newport-county.co.uk. 4 June 2024. 4 June 2024.
  23. Web site: Scot Bennett signs for the Robins. www.ctfc.com. 14 June 2024. 14 June 2024.