Legend

Picture courtesy of the Shropshire Reds

Gary Bennett

The Big Interview: Dean Domerecki, Matthew Kelly, Jenny Cantwell, Emma Pritchard and Peter Davies meet a legend

Background: Gary Bennett. No introductions necessary.

Setting: The Queen Hotel, Chester, close to the main railway station.

Tell us about your childhood…

'I was football mad. I lived in Liverpool and I played soccer every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. I played there and also in Skelmersdale. The manager of my local team used to pick me up for the Sunday games - so if I scored goals I was OK for a lift! The local soccer scene was pretty good. I won quite a few medals. I thought about the possibility of a professional contract, but I was limited to playing for West Lancashire Under-15s. When I was 16 I wasn't even in my school team - I was sub!'

What was your first job?

'I was a clothes cutter in Skem. Blouses, shirts…everything! I was 21 and it was a fantastic job. The only problem was the clothes market. The industry was in decline and companies like Marks and Spencers were taking out less contracts. I worked in a factory of 250 people. There were only seven blokes - so it was a great grounding! At this time I was turning out for St Aidans in the Wigan League and also Skelmersdale United. On Sundays I played for a team in Upholland.'

What about a professional career?

'I wrote off to a few professional teams. I got a trial at Wigan and enjoyed that. I also had a trial at Manchester City. Harry McNally saw me play in a practice match. I eventually got a one-year contract at Wigan - £180 a week. But I had been on good money at the clothes factory so I stayed part-time. I remember scoring for Wigan at home against Bristol Rovers. I really wanted more money. Bryan Hamilton came in. Wigan had reached the final of what came to be known as the Auto Windscreen Shield; so there I was at Wembley, just six months on from working in the factory.'

Chester?

'That was my first professional contract. As an ex-Wigan player I wasn't liked very much but I got a few goals and I managed to win the fans over. Then I moved on to Southend, but I didn't really settle there.'

Tell us about the court case…

'I went in for a challenge in a game against Sheffield Wednesday and broke an opponent's leg. I got a load of hate mail. I didn't mean it. It was just a strong challenge and a very unfortunate accident. I still regret it. Sun Alliance paid out £300,000 in insurance money but I had two full days in court. Howard Wilkinson, Terry Gibson, Lee Chapman and Gary Megson were all called as witnesses in the courtroom. Eventually the case was settled out of court and I didn't have the chance to defend myself. I wanted to send a card to the guy I'd hurt, and visit him in hospital, but Harry McNally told me not to say sorry. He just ripped my card up. I was naļve and went along with my manager. But I got a lot of bad publicity. The News of the World did this big spread about the story and they headlined it something like: THE MAN WHO NEVER SAID SORRY. It was hard on my family but everybody came through it eventually. Me and the other guy eventually shook hands. He got the money he wanted - it was a fitting end to the episode. ITN made a lot of the court trial - there were cameras and TV people everywhere. I was very disappointed with the PFA. They didn't want to have anything to do with the case; they said it was "not a football matter". They sat on the fence.'

How did your move from Chester to Wrexham come about?

'Chester were moving to their new stadium but I was offered a one-year contract and a £5 wage rise. I had been leading scorer the season before with 16 goals and I just thought I was worth more than that. I said I wasn't signing for that. They said that was the only offer - so I left it. I was put on the transfer list at £20,000 and by June 30th - when my Chester contract ended - there had been no offers.'

What then?

'A bit of trouble with the police: my brother-in-law, a spare room, a batch of antiques and a pair of handcuffs. We got swamped by the police. I had to go to the police station about 22 times. On one occasion I had to have a shower in the local police station - there were no curtains or anything! My brother-in-law got done in the end.'

And leaving Chester?

'I went to Darlington. We lost 6-1 to Ipswich and I just didn't fancy it. It was too far north - just like Southend was too far south. Then I got a call from Joey. He just asked me what I was up to. I said I'd fixed nothing up. He said: why not sign for Wrexham? I went down to the Racecourse and had a chat with Flynnie. We were in his office. I remember he asked me whether the antique episode was a problem for me - you know, a real problem. I said it wasn't. I've got a lot of respect for the way Brian handled me at that stage. I was a bit embarrassed, but he was very good with me and about the situation I'd found myself in. Eventually we got down to talking about the football side of things. He said he wanted to play me in the middle, not on the wing - where I'd found myself at Chester. Flynn just said he wanted me to score goals!'

So, Wrexham. What was your favourite goal in a red shirt?

'Port Vale - with my left foot. The ball came over from the halfway line, I chased it, and just belted it!'

Your most important goal?

'Welsh Cup final - it got us into Europe.'

What about your very special goal celebration routine?

'It all began with Ipswich in the FA Cup. Scoring that penalty - oh yes! Their keeper, Clive Baker, had a tremendous record saving spot-kicks. And he nearly got mine! I wanted to celebrate in a special way so I tore my shirt off. It was Division 2 v Premiership, so it was a very big occasion and a very big upset. I thought I'd rip my shirt off, like they do in Italy. We agreed before the game that whoever scored would take their shirt off. Kieron Durkan scored first, but he was a young lad and a bit shy. Or maybe he just forgot! Anyway, I was determined to do it if I scored. And I started a trend! To be honest, I think the current guidelines for refs are pathetic. The way they stop people celebrating is stupid. They're taking the fun out of the game. I wasn't going to let the ref stop me!'

Thanks a lot Gary - cheers! ¯ RP

[In the second half of this interview Gary talks more about Wrexham - and his dreadful illness]