Rhys Gordon Bennett (born 1 September 1991) is an English professional footballer who is currently without a club. He plays as a central defender, although he has also been deployed in defensive midfield, and as a full-back.
Bennett started his professional career at Bolton Wanderers, regularly playing in the reserve side and wearing the captain's armband on occasions. Having not made an appearance for the first team he was sent out on loan to Falkirk in July 2011 by manager Owen Coyle.
On 6 July 2011, it was announced that Falkirk had signed Bennett on a six-month loan, which was extended until the end of the season on 9 January 2012. Bennett made his debut on 23 July 2011, scoring a 26th-minute opener against Brechin City in the 1st round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.
He made his league debut on 6 August 2011 in a 1âÂÂ0 loss against Raith Rovers.
Bennett was an unused substitute when Falkirk defeated Hamilton Academical 1-0 in the 2012 Scottish Challenge Cup final.
On 11 June 2012, Rochdale announced that Bennett had signed a one-year contract at the club effective on 1 July 2012. He made his debut on 4 September in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Fleetwood Town in the Football League Trophy. The game went to a penalty shoot-out which Rochdale won 4âÂÂ2 and progressed to the second round. He made his league debut on 15 September in a 2âÂÂ1 win away to AFC Wimbledon.
He scored his first goal for the club on 1 December, in a 3âÂÂ2 defeat to York City.
Bennett joined Mansfield Town on a free transfer in June 2016.
He was released by Mansfield at the end of the 2017âÂÂ18 season.
Bennett joined Peterborough United on a free transfer in May 2018. He followed in the footsteps of former Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans in the same season.
On 12 November 2020, Bennett joined Carlisle United on a short-term deal until January 2021. On 5 January 2021, Bennett signed an extended deal to remain at the club until the end of the 2020âÂÂ21 season. Bennett rejected a new offer from the Cumbrian club at the end of the season.
Bennett signed for EFL League One side Gillingham on 23 July 2021. He made his debut for the Gills on the opening day of the 2021âÂÂ22 season in a 1âÂÂ1 home draw to Lincoln City on 7 August 2021.
Having reached a mutual agreement with Gillingham to terminate his contract, Bennett signed for fellow EFL League One side Morecambe on 28 January 2022. He made his league debut for the Lancashire side the next day, appearing as a 28th minute substitute in a 2âÂÂ2 away draw to Accrington Stanley. Bennett was released by the club at the end of the season.
On 28 January 2023, Bennett returned to Rochdale signing a contract till the end of the 2022âÂÂ2023 season.
Falkirk