Gary Michael Bennett (born 20 September 1963) is an English retired professional footballer. He played for six different clubs in the Football League, with the majority of appearances being made for Chester City and Wrexham.
Bennett began his football career playing for Skelmersdale United and his local team Kirkby Town. Bennett began his full-time playing career when he joined Wigan Athletic, playing in the Preston League in October 1984.[2] At the end of the season, Bennett appeared at Wembley Stadium for Wigan in the final of the Associate Members' Cup, which ended in a 3–1 win over Brentford. However, Bennett was soon on the move as he followed manager Harry McNallytoChester City, where 'Psycho', as he was known, scored 13 league goals in 43 appearances as the club achieved promotion from Division Four.[3][2]
Bennett scored 23 times in 1986–87 but his season was overshadowed by his tackle in an FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday that left opponent Ian Knight with his leg broken in 7 places.[4][5] The matter was eventually settled out of court a decade later.[6]
In November 1988 Bennett moved on to Southend United for £25,000 (scoring against Chester in Southend's 4–2 win later in the month) but by March 1990 he was back at Chester, again for a £25,000 fee.[7] He remained there until the end of the 1991–92 season, scoring the winner at Stoke City in April 1992 that effectively sealed Division Three survival for Chester.
Bennett moved back to Chester in the summer of 1997 for £50,000, registering 12 goals by early November in his first season back. He failed to add any more during the season and would manage just one more (the winner at his former club Southend in August 1998) before injury forced him to retire from the game in August 1999.[8]
