Members News: Reminder – ‘Benno’ Is Our ‘Special’ For Tomorrow’s Cardiff Challenge!
Benno in Sky Blue action
Just to remind you that long-time member of the CCFPA committee Dave Bennett will be our ‘special guest’ tomorrow afternoon for CCFC’s important and significant Championship clash with another of Benno’s former clubs Cardiff City. After the Sky Blues defeat at Burnley in midweek CCFC supporters will hoping for a ‘new managers’ bounce’ now that Frank Lampard has been confirmed as the Sky Blues new ‘gaffer’!
Our ever popular Sky Blue 1987 F.A.Cup winning hero ‘Benno’ is no stranger to the role of our ‘special’ and will, as usual, have plenty to say about the club’s recent situation as we see the initial impact of the replacement for man previously revered by Sky Blue fans, the recently sacked Mark Robins. Frank will have to build upon a decent contribution made by interim boss Rhys Carr in the last three games against top Championship clubs. Apparently the new Head Coach will be assisted by two new coaches Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, who have worked with Frank extensively previously. We wish the new top men all the best and, for sure, ‘Benno’ and all Sky Blue fans will be looking for a win against the lowly Bluebirds tomorrow afternoon!
Benno in the Sky Blue
Look out for Dave around the main stand before the game meeting fans and being interviewed in the supporters lounges by fellow former Sky Blue professional and CCFPA member (and long-time CCFC club host) Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts. Dave may also do a half-time pitch-siade interview shown on the CBS Arena’s big screen. After the game fans can watch ‘Benno’ spar with fellow committee member Billy Bell exchanging pleasantries, banter and post-match impressions down on stage in Lady Gs. We are pleased Billy has recovered following his recent eye op after fellow committee member Lee Cowell did a great job last Saturday off the subs bench deputising for our Chairman!
‘Benno’ My Life In Football 2024
In addition to his ‘special’ duties ‘Benno’ will make himself available in the main entrance Atrium/Foyer of the Arena between 12.30-1.45pm to sign copies of his newly published autobiography ‘Benno, My Life in Football’ (foreword by the late John Sillett) and priced £25. He will also be doing the same downstairs in the G-Casino post-match. He will also be talking about the book on BBC CWR tonight. Look out for him if you want a copy of this highly rated book with plenty of content to interest Sky Blue fans!
Regular readers probably don’t need reminding that ‘Benno’ was born in Manchester on 11th July 1959, started out as an apprentice at Maine Road with Manchester City becoming a professional in 1978. The tricky winger moved to tomorrow’s opponents the Bluebirds, 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 (33 in 202 in all games) for the Sky Blues before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday. 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 football at neighbours Nuneaton Borough.
Max Biamou & Dave Bennett at Legends Day 2024
President of local club Coventry Sphinx in recent years ‘Benno’ keeps himself busy with media work, charity gigs, ‘Boys of 87’ Evenings, in the past Sky Blue Legends XI games as well as through working with SBiTC supporting their ‘Walking Football’ sessions in the Coventry area.
Dave is a regular at all the Sky Blues home games over the years and is usually ‘in the thick of it’ at all our CCFPA events, especially our annual Legends Days!
Still looking cool in his veteran years, amazingly he is 65, as always Benno will have lots of interest to contribute tomorrow so, if you can, get along to say ‘hello’ before, during and after the game on Saturday.
Oggy & Benno at a recent ‘Boys of 87’ evening at the Sky Blue Tavern
Other CCFPA Former Player members we expect to see at the Cardiff game include:-
Stuart Giddings, Micky Gynn, Jimmy Holmes, Peter Hormantschuk, Avun Jephcott, Barry Powell and Graham Walker
A fellow member of the F.A.Cup winning ‘Boys of 87’ group (and CCFPA member) Steve Ogrizovic will be doing his usual stint as a member of the BBC CWR commentary team providing live match-day coverage for those that can’t make it. Former CCFPA chair and official CCFC historian Jim Brown as well as committee member Mike Young will provide their usual contribution to the club’s excellent matchday magazine, PUSB!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images
