Bennett: Ian Michael (Ian)

2004-2006 (Leeds Player Details)(Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Worksop: 10-10-1971

Debut v Luton Town (a): 13-08-2005

6’0” 12st 10lb (2001)

Bennett started with Queens Park Rangers in August 1988, as a trainee. He never made the first team before signing with Newcastle United on 20th March 1989, where again he did not figure in the top team. He went to Peterborough United on a free transfer on 22nd March 1991 and established himself as first choice, making eighty-six appearances, seventy-two of which were in the League, before being transferred to Birmingham City for £325,000 on 17th December 1993. He made three hundred and fifty-four appearances, of which two hundred and eighty-seven were in the League, including two as a substitute, before losing his position to Maik Taylor. He was loaned to Sheffield United on 9th December 2004, where he made five League appearances, before returning on 9th January 2005. He was then loaned to Coventry City from 16th February to 9th May 2005, where he made six League appearances. He joined Leeds on a free transfer on 17th June 2005. Accepted as deputy to Neil Sullivan, he made his debut in the second game of the 2005-06 season against Luton Town, when Sullivan was injured. He did not let United down but surrendered the keeper’s jersey to the Scottish International when he became fit again. He joined Sheffield United for £100,000 on 20th August 2006. Despite making his full debut, Bennett found first team chances difficult to come by, thanks to the fitness and form of Paddy Kenny. In two seasons at Bramall Lane to the end of the 2008-09 season he had only made ten League starts and one game from the bench, but had started two F.A. Cup ties and six League Cup games. His contract expired at the end of the 2007-08 season but despite interest from Crystal Palace he signed a new one year deal in July 2008. Despite his lack of first team chances, he was offered another one year contract extension before the start of the 2009-10 season. On 17th June 2010 Bennett moved to Huddersfield Town after playing a total of sixteen League games at Bramall Lane, of which two were as a substitute and a further two F.A. Cup games and six games in the League Cup, in his almost four year stay. He made his Town debut in a League Cup tie against Everton at Goodison Park on 25th August 2010, when he came on as substitute for the injured Alex Smithies. His first start followed on 5th October 2010, when he played in the home tie with Peterborough United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. His first League game quickly followed at Colchester United on 9th October 2010. By the end of the 2010-11 season he had made twenty-seven starts in the League, including three in the Play-offs, three in the F.A. Cup, while in the League Cup he had played once as a substitute and three in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. He was given a one year contract at the end of the season and then had an hernia operation, to be fit for the new season.