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 67th 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 public appearance five years ago 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 has been and is a regular at the Sky Blues home games at the Ricoh, 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 six years 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 in 2020 before the mass gathering was stalled for COVID (left).
Benno ‘Boy of 87’
‘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 when the Sky Blues missed out in the 2023 Championship play-off final against Luton Town and again in our unlucky F.A.Cup Semi Final loss against Manchester United in 2024.
‘Benno’ My Life In Football 2024
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).
Just last year Benno published his memoirs ‘My Life in Football’ to the acclaim of fans at the several clubs for whom he has played (left). It’s available at all good booksellers and online!
Benno with the SBITC Walking Footballers celebrating CCFC’s promotion 2026
We are sure you will be celebrating your 67th birthday today Dave in your usual inimitable way!
Have a Great One Today, ‘Benno’!
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