Committee Member News: Unbelievably ‘Benno’ Is 65 Today! ‘Many Happy Returns’ Dave!!

Benno in the Sky Blue

CCFPA sends all its very best to our long-standing committee member, Sky Blue 1987 F.A.Cup winning hero Dave Bennett who now celebrates his 65th birthday today!

Keith Houchen & Dave Bennett

Born in Manchester on 11th July 1959, as regular readers will know, he is President of local club Coventry Sphinx. ‘Benno’ has also often to be seen around Cov doing various charity gigs, Q&As, Sky Blue Legends XI games and being a CCFPA ‘special’ at Sky Blues home games as well as turning out from time to time at SBiTC’s ‘Walking Football’ sessions in the Coventry area. A prominent quite recent public appearance was  cycling round the city in a peloton towing a large piece of art on behalf of City of Culture Coventry 2021 (below right)!

Benno on his bike and on his way!

Starting out at Maine Road Manchester with Manchester City in 1978 the tricky winger moved to Cardiff City in 1981 before being brought to Highfield Road. A nominated true ‘CCFC Legend’, from 1983-89 ‘Benno’  scored 25 league goals in 172 league appearances for the Sky Blues before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday.

CCFPA’s Dave Bennett

In the nineties ‘Benno’ completed his footballing career with Swindon Town, a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town and finally a short time playing non league locally at Nuneaton Borough.

Dave is a regular at the Sky Blues home games at the Ricoh, in exile for two season at St Andrews, and back at the CBS since The COVID lockdown. He is usually ‘in the thick of it’ at all our CCFPA events.

Benno, Peakey, Dean Emerson, Kirk, Buggsy & Gynny

He particularly enjoys meeting some of his ‘Boys of 87’ colleagues at regular get togethers when he can (right).

Many of them met up at Legends Day 2019 five year’s ago sad that Benno’s late great friend, Cyrille Regis would be missing once more.

Benno & Kirk admire the Atherstone ball!

With CCFPA President Kirk Stephens he ‘kicked off the Atherstone Football game for charity the time before last since the mass gathering was allowed again (left).

Benno ‘Boy of 87’ just a few days ago

‘Benno’ is regularly in demand on the media, especially for big events involving the Sky Blues and particularly enjoyed commentating on the Sky Blues two victorious Wembley appearances at the end of 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. He was also there again last year when the Sky Blues missed out in the Championship play-off final against Luton Town and again in our unlucky F.A.Cup Semi Final loss against Manchester United earlier this year.

Still looking cool in his veteran years Dave is currently assisting the activities of ‘Sky Blues In The Community‘ (run for the last twenty plus years by his friend and fellow CCFPA committee member David Busst)  We are sure you will be celebrating your 65th birthday today Dave in your usual inimitable way!

Have a Great One Today, ‘Benno’!