Lee Bennett

Who is Lee Bennett?

Lee Bennett is an English footballer currently playing for Athersley Recreation.

Bennett began his career with the youth set-up at Ossett Albion whilst attending Barnsley College. In January 2008 he linked up with the academy at Barnsley on extended schoolboy terms before signing a two-year scholarship deal with Lincoln City in December 2008.

Bennett progressed through the youth and reserve teams at Sincil Bank and in August 2009 was awarded with a first team squad number, number 32. He made his Football League debut in the 2–0 victory at Bradford City on 18 August 2009, coming on as a substitute for Stefan Oakes in the 90th minute. After being an unused substitute for the home game against Burton Albion on 22 August 2009, he drifted away from the first team scene and joined Harrogate Town on a work experience basis in December 2009. Inclement weather meant that Bennett failed to make an appearance for Harrogate Town before he returned to Lincoln City where he departed in the summer of 2010 following the completion of his scholarship.

In July 2010 he joined Friska Viljor who play in Sweden's Division 3 Mellersta Norrland, marking his debut by scoring after 12 minutes in the club's 3–2 DM Herrar cup victory over Sollefteå GIF on 22 July 2010. He would play nine Division 3 Mellersta Norrland games, scoring two goals and 2 DM Herrar cup ties, scoring once, in the 2010 Swedish season before returning to England and joining Ossett Albion in October 2010. He returned to Sweden and Friska Viljor for the start of the 2011 Swedish season and scored six goals in the first three Division 3 Mellersta Norrland games, including a hat-trick in the 6–3 victory at Sandviks IK on 7 May 2011, before departing the club and returning to England. In July 2011 he underwent a trial at Mansfield Town, appearing in the club's 1–1 friendly at Rainworth Miners Welfare on 9 July 2011. In August 2011 he signed for Frickley Athletic before moving on to Glasshoughton Welfare. In July 2012, he was one of six players to follow manager Craig Elliott from Glasshoughton to Ossett Town. He moved on to join Athersley Recreation, making a goalscoring debut in the club's Northern Counties East League Division One 3-0 home victory over Grimsby Borough on 13 October 2012.