Mal Benning
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Malvind Singh Benning[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 2 November 1993||
Place of birth | West Bromwich, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) |
Left-back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Shrewsbury Town | ||
Number | 3 | ||
Youth career | |||
2001–2011 | Walsall | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2011–2015 | Walsall | 46 | (2) |
2012 | → Evesham United (loan) | 5 | (0) |
2015 | → York City (loan) | 9 | (0) |
2015–2021 | Mansfield Town | 214 | (9) |
2021–2023 | Port Vale | 65 | (2) |
2023– | Shrewsbury Town | 33 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:52, 29 March 2024 (UTC) |
Malvind Singh Benning (born 2 November 1993) is an English professional
Benning began his career with
Early and personal life
Benning, whose parents are Indian Sikhs,[4][5] was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands.[6] He was educated at Queen Mary's Grammar School and is a Liverpool supporter.[7][8] Speaking in 2023, he said he attended gurdwara prayers at least twice a week.[9]
He was named on Kick It Out's new advisory board in June 2021; Benning had been targeted for racist abuse on Twitter in January 2020, which was reported to the police by the Professional Footballers' Association, though Benning stated that other than that he had "not experienced much 'racism' as one of very few Asian players in the professional game" (0.25% of the 3,700 professional players in 2020 were British Asian).[10][11][12]
Club career
Walsall
Benning started his career with
Benning joined League Two club York City on 22 January 2015 on a one-month loan, with manager Russ Wilcox looking to provide competition for the ever-present Femi Ilesanmi.[22][23] He made his debut in a 1–1 home draw with Burton Albion two days later[24] and his loan was extended by a second month in February 2015.[25] Having made nine appearances[24] he was recalled by Walsall on 16 March 2015 after an injury to Andy Taylor.[26] He made 13 starts and 11 substitute appearances for Walsall in the 2014–15 season,[24] and was often played further up the pitch from his familiar left-back position by manager Dean Smith.[27] Benning was released in May 2015.[28]
Mansfield Town
Benning signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on 22 May 2015.[29] He suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in October 2015 and was out of action for four months; he tested his recovery from the injury by tackling a brick wall.[30] Manager Adam Murray had initially worried that Benning could be ruled out for the whole of the 2015–16 season, but it transpired that no surgery was necessary to repair the damage as 12 weeks in a brace was sufficient to allow the body to heal itself.[31][32] He signed a new contract of undisclosed length in May 2016, having scored four goals from 33 games.[33][34] He missed just one league and one EFL Trophy game during the 2016–17 season, playing a total of 52 times and scoring one goal, as the club posted a 12th-place finish.[35] He told the media that new manager Steve Evans had "made an impact instantly" and "made it clear that he's striving for promotion", but that for Benning "the main focus is to keep my place in the team".[36][37]
He signed a new one-year contract in February 2018.
Benning featured 55 times over the course of the 2018–19 season, missing just one league game.[44] Mansfield finished in fourth place but were beaten on penalties by Newport County in the semi-finals of the play-offs despite Benning converting his penalty.[45] Flitcroft was sacked after the defeat, though Benning said that he was ready to focus on football again after returning from holiday in Mexico and that he and the rest of the squad had had positive meetings with new manager John Dempster.[46] However, the new season went poorly and Dempster was replaced by Graham Coughlan in December.[47] Benning played 39 games in the 2019–20 season, which saw Mansfield finish 21st on points per game after the season was curtailed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[48]
He lost his left-back position to Stephen McLaughlin during the 2020–21 season.[49] However, he would regain his first-team spot and earned praise for his consistency from manager Nigel Clough in January.[50] On 27 April 2021, it was announced that he would leave Mansfield to "seek a new challenge" with the decision made "amicably and mutually", having made 251 appearances in a six-year stay at the club.[51] He stated that "one massive regret is to not have been able to help get the club promoted"; he was the 18th highest appearance maker in the club's history at the time of his departure.[52]
Port Vale
On 28 June 2021, Benning agreed a one-year contract with
He enjoyed an excellent run of form at the start of the
Shrewsbury Town
On 3 August 2023, Benning joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a one-year deal.[65] He was voted as Shrewsbury's Player of the Month for January 2024.[66] He was initially in and out of the first XI under Matthew Taylor before establishing himself as a regular starter under new manager Paul Hurst.[67]
International career
Benning stated his desire to represent the India national team in August 2015, but said he was unable to as the nation's strict rules on eligibility meant he would have to first give up his British passport and get an Indian passport.[14]
Style of play
Benning is an attacking
Career statistics
- As of match played 15 August 2023
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Walsall | 2011–12[68] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012–13[16] | League One | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
2013–14[20] | League One | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
2014–15[24] | League One | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1[a] | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
Total | 46 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 3 | ||
Evesham United (loan) | 2011–12[69] | Southern League Premier Division |
5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
York City (loan) | 2014–15[24] | League Two | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | |||
Mansfield Town | 2015–16[34] | League Two | 31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 33 | 4 |
2016–17[35] | League Two | 45 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 52 | 1 | |
2017–18[41] | League Two | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 34 | 1 | |
2018–19[44] | League Two | 45 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6[c] | 1 | 55 | 4 | |
2019–20[48] | League Two | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
2020–21[70] | League Two | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
Total | 214 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 251 | 10 | ||
Port Vale | 2021–22[55] | League Two | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7[d] | 2 | 36 | 3 |
2022–23[71] | League One | 39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3[b] | 1 | 44 | 3 | |
Total | 65 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 80 | 6 | ||
Shrewsbury Town | 2023–24[72] | League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Career total | 342 | 13 | 17 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 30 | 4 | 402 | 19 |
- ^ Football League Trophy
- ^ a b c d e Appearances in EFL Trophy
- ^ Four appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs
- ^ Four appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs
Honours
Port Vale
See also
References
- ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Mal Benning". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Malvind Benning". Mansfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Malvind Benning ready to prove his worth at Walsall". Express and Star. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Chatterjee, Deepshikha (22 July 2016). "5 lesser known footballers of Indian origin". Sportskeeda.
- ^ "Malvind Benning". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Congratulations to QM old boy Malvind Benning on signing a new contract with @WFCOfficial". Twitter. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Mansfield Town's Mal Benning set for proud moment against West Brom". www.chad.co.uk. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Mal Benning: Football and Faith". EFL. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Kick It Out names players advisory board". BBC Sport. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Twitter abuse needs 'stronger action' – PFA". BBC Sport. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Ingle, Sean (6 July 2020). "Why are there so few British Asian footballers at professional clubs? | Sean Ingle". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Port Vale agree one-year contract with Mal Benning". Port Vale F.C. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b Lomas, John (27 August 2015). "Mansfield Town defender Mal Benning blazing a trail for Asian footballers". chad.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Player profile: Malvind Benning". Walsall F.C. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Benning awarded Walsall contract". BBC Sport. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Scott, Ged (5 March 2014). "Coventry City 2–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Stevenage 3–2 Walsall". BBC Sport. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Purkiss eager to 'make difference'". BBC Sport. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Malvind Benning: York sign Walsall defender on loan". BBC Sport. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
- ^ Flett, Dave (22 January 2015). "Malvind Benning's appetite for a fight impresses York City boss Russ Wilcox". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Flett, Dave (23 February 2015). "York City extend Malvind Benning's loan stay by a further month". The Press. York. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ Flett, Dave (16 March 2015). "Luke Summerfield being lined up for surprise York City recall". The Press. York. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Malvind Benning's future is with Walsall". Express and Star. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Walsall release quartet". Sky Sports. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "Benning completes Stags switch". Mansfield Town F.C. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Returning Stag Benning hits the wall". BBC Sport. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Benning could return by January". BBC Sport. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Malvind Benning: injury update". www.mansfieldtown.net. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Defensive trio sign new Stags contracts". BBC Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Benning embracing the changing of the guard". www.mansfieldtown.net. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Benning enjoying education under Stags' boss". www.mansfieldtown.net. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Mansfield trio sign new one-year deals". BBC Sport. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Davies, Matt (30 March 2018). "Flitcroft furious with Benning as Mansfield slip out of play-off places". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ a b c Baggaley, Michael (30 June 2021). "Port Vale's new signing is 'Sir Mal' to Mansfield Town fans". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Benning says Stags' boss is reason for improved fitness". www.mansfieldtown.net. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Feature: Mal Benning in-depth interview". www.mansfieldtown.net. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Mansfield Town 0–0 (3–5 pens) Newport County". BBC Sport. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Last season will fuel me heading into new term – Benning". www.mansfieldtown.net. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Stags appoint Graham Coughlan". www.mansfieldtown.net. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Lomas, John (30 April 2021). "Mal Benning departure is best move for both parties says boss". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Browne, Duncan (17 January 2021). "Nigel Clough praises Mansfield Town defender Mal Benning's 'loyalty'". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Left-back Benning to leave Mansfield". BBC Sport. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Long-serving defender to seek new challenge". www.mansfieldtown.net. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Baggaley, Michael (17 September 2021). "Mal Benning's message to Port Vale fans ahead of Harrogate game". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ Baggaley, Michael (18 October 2021). "Mal Benning's message about Port Vale competition and Mansfield return". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Baggaley, Michael (19 May 2022). "Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ a b Aloia, Andrew (28 May 2022). "Mansfield Town 0–3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ Baggaley, Michael (28 May 2022). "Port Vale player ratings from Wembley win over Mansfield". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ Mounteney, Luke (23 June 2022). "Mal Benning signs contract extension". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ Baggaley, Michael (6 September 2022). "Mal Benning thanks Port Vale fans as he enjoys regular run". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Darrell Clarke | "Stay level-headed and keep on improving"". Port Vale F.C. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ Baggaley, Michael (10 April 2023). "Mal Benning says Port Vale can learn plenty from this season". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Fielding, Rob (28 July 2023). "Contract extension - Port Vale clarify defender's status". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "Mal Benning Leaves The Valiants". Port Vale F.C. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Shrewsbury sign defender Benning and striker Mata". BBC Sport. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ @shrewsburytown (6 February 2024). "Your January POTM 🏆" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Baggaley, Mike (7 March 2024). "Vale transfer and injury news ahead of Shrewsbury showdown". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Evesham United appearances". Evesham United F.C. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2022.