Gary Bennett
Regarded as one of the best strikers to have played for Wrexham FC.
- Born:
-
20
SEP
1963
- Place of Birth:
- Liverpool
- Biography:
-
It was Gary Bennett's ability to score goals that helped him to do the near impossible - win over Wrexham fans after signing for the club from rivals Chester City.
But striker Benno was able to make the transition and become a firm favourite in Wrexham whilst still being respected in Chester after coming to professional football the hard way.
Liverpudlian Gary worked as a cloth cutter in a clothing factory whilst playing as an amateur for Skelmersdale United and then Kirby in the Preston League before being picked up by Wigan where he began playing full time.
In August 1985 he went to Chester City playing for three seasons, earning himself the nickname 'Psycho' for his no nonsense style of play, according to Gareth Davies & Peter Jones who published Wrexham FC's who's who book, The Racecourse Robins.
But when he first appeared in Wrexham the fans in the Kop were chanting a very different name with manager Brian Flynn taking some "stick" for signing the "Chester reject" on a free transfer, says the Wrexham FC official website.
Gary went on to become the club's most prolific goal scorer and helped them to win promotion to the Second Division. Gary moved to Tranmere Rovers for £300,000 in 1995 but it didn't work out and he ended up going to Preston North End and saw them win the Third Division Championship.
After a bad season due to injury, he rejoined Wrexham but wasn't able to find his earlier form and moved back to Chester for £50,000, where he finished his career.
It was the third time he joined Chester having moved there a second time in the mid 80s after a short spell at Southend United. And it was his surprise release from Chester in the 1991-92 season which brought him to Wrexham where he is today regarded as a 'legend' by fans.
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