Richie Bennett

Richard Thomas Bennett (born 3 March 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward with EFL League Two club Sutton United.

Having left the youth-team at Oldham Athletic at the age of 15, he began his career in non-league football with Springhead, Curzon Ashton, Mossley, Northwich Victoria and Barrow. His 22 goals in 53 appearances for Barrow during the 2016–17 season earned him a move to Carlisle United in July 2017, meaning he first entered the Football League at the age of 26. He was loaned out to Morecambe in January 2019 and left Carlisle for Port Vale in June 2019. He was sold on to Stockport County in March 2020. He briefly joined Hartlepool United on loan in April 2021 and then signed with Football League newcomers Sutton United three months later.

Club Career

Early career

Bennett joined the youth-team at Oldham Athletic at the age of ten, and left Boundary Park five years later. He went on to make his debut in the Manchester League for Springhead at the age of 16. He moved on to Curzon Ashton the next year, before being signed to Northern Premier League Division One North side Mossley in November 2013. He scored eight goals in 22 games during the second half of the 2013–14 season. He signed with Northwich Victoria, where he was christened "Richie" by manager Jim Gannon, having previously only been known as Richard or Rich. He scored 44 goals in two seasons with the "Vics" and helped them to win the 2014 Cheshire Senior Cup. During his time playing as an amateur and semi-professional he worked in customer sales for Marks & Spencer, in a call centre and also a spell as a care assistant working with dementia sufferers. He also became a father at the age of 17.

Barrow

On 17 May 2016, Bennett signed a two-year contract at National League club Barrow. It was reported that he opted to go to Holker Street ahead of competition from League Two clubs. He went on to score 22 goals in 53 games as Paul Cox's "Bluebirds"