Paul Benson

Paul Andrew Benson (born 12 October 1979) is an English semi-professional footballer and coach who plays as a striker for Southern League Division One Central club Bedford Town.

For the federal judge, see Paul Benson (judge).

Paul Benson
Personal information
Full name Paul Andrew Benson[1]
Date of birth (1979-10-12) 12 October 1979[2]
Place of birth Southend, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Playing position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Bedford Town (player-coach)
Youth career
Southend United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 White Ensign 59 (96)
2005–2010 Dagenham & Redbridge 175 (70)
2010–2012 Charlton Athletic 33 (10)
2012–2014 Swindon Town 31 (12)
2012–2013 → Portsmouth (loan) 7 (2)
2013 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 16 (4)
2013–2014 → Luton Town (loan) 36 (17)
2014–2016 Luton Town 41 (5)
2016–2017 Dagenham & Redbridge 32 (5)
2017–2018 Boreham Wood 14 (1)
2018 → Bedford Town (loan) 13 (8)
2018– Bedford Town 23 (10)
National team
2007 England C 1 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:45, 2 May 2019 (UTC)

Career

Dagenham & Redbridge

Born in Southend, Essex,[2] Benson was on the books of Southend United as a youth player. He was signed by Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still on 1 July 2005 after Still saw him play for White Ensign of the Essex Olympian League, where he scored 96 goals in 59 league matches (107 goals in 65 matches in all competitions) in just two seasons with the club.[3] Benson's first season with Dagenham was frustrating as he was not a regular first-team player, scoring only one Conference National goal, and was out for three months with a broken leg.[4] However, the 2006–07 season saw a complete reversal, as he earned a spot in Dagenham's first-team and finished the season as both the team and Conference National top scorer with 28 goals, leading the club's successful campaign for promotion to League Two.[5] The following year, Dagenham's first in the Football League, Benson scored nine goals, though was injured for half the season.

The 2008–09 season saw Benson end in the top five goal scorers in League Two and come second in the player of the season poll for Dagenham. At the end of the 2009–10 season, Benson scored a goal at Wembley Stadium as Dagenham defeated Rotherham United in the play-off final to clinch a place in League One for the 2010–11 season.[6]

Charlton Athletic

On 31 August 2010, Benson completed a move to League One club Charlton Athletic.[7] After making 27 appearances and scoring 10 goals for Charlton in his first season, Benson's first-team chances were limited behind Charlton strikers Paul Hayes, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Jason Euell and Yann Kermorgant. Notts County made a bid to sign him, which Charlton accepted, although the move collapsed after they failed to agree personal terms.[8][9] On 2 January 2012, Benson transferred to Swindon Town as part of a swap deal in exchange for Leon Clarke.[10]

Swindon Town

Benson joined a Swindon team chasing promotion to League One. His arrival coincided with a 10-match winning run which was the platform from which the Robins' won the title under the guidance of Paolo Di Canio. Benson's first goal for Swindon came when he scored the winner in their FA Cup third-round victory over Premier League team Wigan Athletic, although replays showed he was in an offside position. Benson's goalscoring form was rewarded on 9 March 2012 when he was named League Two Player of the Month for February after scoring five goals in five matches and being widely praised by manager Paolo Di Canio.[11] Di Canio, in a post-match press conference, was quoted as saying that "Paul Benson at 70% is better than any other striker in this league at 150%".[12] On 28 April 2012, he scored twice as Swindon beat Port Vale 5–0 and were crowned champions of League Two in the process.[13]

On 15 November 2012, Benson joined League One club Portsmouth on an initial one-month loan.[14] His first goal came in a Boxing Day home league match against Crawley Town.[15] In the following match he netted again, against Yeovil Town.[16] He returned to Swindon in January 2013.[17]

Benson then joined League Two club Cheltenham Town on 29 January 2013 in a loan move until the end of the 2012–13 season.[18] He made his debut four days later in a 2–1 victory over Torquay United.[19] Benson scored his first goal for the club on 12 February, tapping the ball past goalkeeper Paul Smith in another 2–1 victory, this time against Southend United.[20] He ended the season with four goals in 18 appearances for the club.[21]

Luton Town

On 26 August 2013, Benson signed for Conference Premier club Luton Town on a season-long loan, with the possibility of a permanent transfer taking place in the summer of 2014.[22] This move saw him link back up with his former Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still, now in charge of Luton. Benson made his debut for the club on 31 August 2013, winning a penalty in a 2–0 away win over Kidderminster Harriers.[23] He was named as the Conference Premier Player of the Month in December 2013 after scoring four goals in four matches and contributing to numerous other goals with his hold-up play.[24] Benson played a key role as Luton won promotion to League Two, scoring 17 league goals and assisting 14 others throughout the 2013–14 season.[25] His strike partnership with Andre Gray resulted in the two scoring 47 goals between them – almost half of Luton's total league goals.

After his successful loan spell at Luton during the 2013–14 season, Benson signed a permanent two-year contract with the club on 22 July 2014.[26] Benson scored his only league goal of the season in a 3–0 win over Mansfield Town on 29 November 2014, but also broke his leg during the match.[27] He returned to the squad later in the season and made a total of 24 appearances in all competitions.[28]

On 10 May 2016, it was announced that Benson would not have his contract renewed.[29][30] He left the club upon the expiry of his contract.[31]

Return to Dagenham & Redbridge

Benson re-signed for Dagenham & Redbridge who were newly relegated into the National League, on an initial one-year contract on 6 August 2016.[32] He made his second debut three days later as a 77th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat away to Chester.[33] His first goal came in a 2–1 win away to Dover Athletic on 3 December, and this was followed up with a goal in the following match, a 2–1 defeat at home to Worthing in the FA Trophy first round.[34] Benson played in both legs of the play-off semi-final defeat to Forest Green Rovers, losing 3–1 on aggregate,[35][36] and finished the season with 37 appearances and six goals.[34] He was released by Dagenham & Redbridge when his contract expired at the end of 2016–17.[37]

Boreham Wood and Bedford Town

On 13 June 2017, Benson signed for National League club Boreham Wood on a one-year contract, with the option of a one-year extension.[38] He joined Southern League Division One East club Bedford Town on 26 January 2018 on loan until the end of 2017–18.[39] Benson finished the loan with eight goals from 13 appearances.[40] He was not retained by Boreham Wood after the end of the season.[41] Benson re-signed for Bedford Town as a player-coach on 26 June.[42] Since Benson arrived to Bedford until the summer of 2019, he worked at the club's academy, coaching the U13 squad.[43] From the summer 2019, he was hired as assistant to professional development phase lead coach, Dan Walder, helping with the U16s and U18s on a daily basis.[43]

Career statistics
As of end of 2018–19 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dagenham & Redbridge 2005–06[44] Conference National 26120—3[lower-alpha 1]1312
2006–07[45] Conference National 462810—2[lower-alpha 2]24930
2007–08[46] League Two 22623002[lower-alpha 3]0269
2008–09[47] League Two 331831103[lower-alpha 3]24021
2009–10[48] League Two 451711104[lower-alpha 4]45122
2010–11[49] League One 30—10—40
Total 17570953014920184
Charlton Athletic 2010–11[49] League One 321040—3[lower-alpha 3]03910
2011–12[50] League One 10—210031
Total 33104021304211
Swindon Town 2011–12[50] League Two 221121—2[lower-alpha 3]02612
2012–13[21] League One 9100321[lower-alpha 3]0133
Total 31122132303915
Portsmouth (loan) 2012–13[21] League One 72———72
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2012–13[21] League Two 164——2[lower-alpha 5]0184
Luton Town (loan) 2013–14[34] Conference Premier 361721—003818
Luton Town 2014–15[28] League Two 21111101[lower-alpha 3]0242
2015–16[51] League Two 204102100235
Total 77224231108525
Dagenham & Redbridge 2016–17[34] National League 32520—3[lower-alpha 6]1376
Boreham Wood 2017–18[34] National League 14100—00141
Bedford Town (loan) 2017–18[40] Southern League Division One East 138———138
Bedford Town 2018–19[40] Southern League Division One Central 231031—8[lower-alpha 2]33414
Total 361831—834722
Career total 4211442491143413490170
  1. One appearance and one goal in Football League Trophy, two appearances in FA Trophy
  2. Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  4. One appearance in Football League Trophy, three appearances and four goals in League Two play-offs
  5. Appearances in League Two play-offs
  6. One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League play-offs

Honours

Dagenham & Redbridge

Swindon Town

Luton Town

Individual

  • Football League Two Team of the Week: 20–26 February 2012[53]
  • Football League Two Player of the Month: February 2012[11]
  • Conference Premier Player of the Month: December 2013[24]
gollark: Madness but cool sounding.
gollark: I believe the idea is that the average spambot will not run a befunge interpreter.
gollark: Maybe we should make it based on powers of two, so each extra dollar doubles the value.
gollark: *someone writes code to print a million dollar signs*
gollark: Then we shall post them!

References
  1. "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. "Dagenham & Redbridge player profiles". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Archived from the original on 9 April 2008.
  4. "Daggers marksman aiming high". BBC Sport. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  5. "Dag & Red 2–1 Aldershot". BBC Sport. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  6. Weeks, Jonny (30 May 2010). "Daggers reach League One for first time with victory over Rotherham". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  7. "Charlton Athletic swoop to sign three new players, including former Addick Jonathan Fortune". KentOnline. KM Group. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  8. O'Rourke, Pete (21 July 2011). "Magpies agree Benson fee". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  9. "Benson deal falls through". Sky Sports. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  10. Rose, Gary (30 December 2011). "Benson to complete Town move". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  11. "Benson named Player of the Month". The Football League. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014.
  12. Rose, Gary (12 March 2012). "Di Canio would not swap Benson". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  13. "Swindon 5–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  14. "Pompey bring duo on loan". The News. Portsmouth. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  15. "Portsmouth 1–2 Crawley". BBC Sport. 26 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  16. "Portsmouth 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  17. "Benson denied Pompey stay". The News. Portsmouth. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  18. Payne, Ned (29 January 2013). "Benson joins Robins". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  19. "Cheltenham 2–1 Torquay". BBC Sport. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  20. "Southend 1–2 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  21. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  22. "Hatters net Benson as 'imminent' deal comes to fruition". Luton Today. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  23. Scott, Ged (31 August 2013). "Kidderminster 0–2 Luton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  24. "December awards for duo". Luton Town F.C. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  25. "Paul Benson Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  26. "Paul Benson signs permanent Luton contract". Luton Town F.C. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  27. "Luton Town: Hatters striker Paul Benson breaks leg in win over Mansfield Town". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  28. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  29. "Hatters release list published". Luton Town F.C. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  30. "Luton Town: Jake Howells and Alex Lawless among nine released". BBC Sport. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  31. "Jake and Alex bid fond farewell to the Town". Luton Town F.C. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  32. Keating, Ned (6 August 2016). "Dagenham & Redbridge sign strikers Paul Benson and Corey Whitely". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  33. "Chester 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 0: John Still's Daggers left feeling Blue after humbling defeat". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  34. "P. Benson". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  35. "Dagenham & Redbridge 1–1 Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  36. Shepka, Phil (7 May 2017). "Forest Green Rovers 2–0 Dagenham & Redbridge (agg: 3–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  37. Keating, Ned (24 May 2017). "Dagenham & Redbridge icon Paul Benson to leave Essex club after released list is announced". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  38. "Paul Benson: Boreham Wood sign former Dagenham & Redbridge striker". BBC Sport. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  39. Whitney, Steve (26 January 2018). "Benson coup for Eagles". Pitchero Non-League. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  40. "Player profiles: Paul Benson". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  41. "Squad taking shape". Boreham Wood F.C. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  42. "Eagles announce flurry of new signings including ex-Hatters Benson and Abbey". Bedford Today. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  43. Hatters add ex-players Benson and Forbes to the coaching staff, lutontoday.co.uk, 28 June 2019
  44. "Paul Benson season details 2005/2006". Dagenham & Redbridge Mad. Digital Sports Group. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016.
    "Forest Green Rovers 2–3 Dagenham & Redbridge". The Football Archives. 22 October 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  45. Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2007). Non-League Club Directory 2008. Kingsbridge: Tony Williams Publications. pp. 182–183. ISBN 978-1-869833-57-2.
  46. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  47. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  48. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  49. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  50. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  51. "Games played by Paul Benson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  52. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2007). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2007–2008. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 627, 642–643. ISBN 978-0-7553-1664-9.
  53. "Team of the Week (27/02/2012)" (PDF). The Football League. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
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