Alan Bennett commits to City

Cork City have announced the re-signing of defender Alan Bennett on a two-year contract.

The ex-Irish international, who has previously played for Reading, Southampton and AFC Wimbledon among others, spoke of how he can’t wait to get going again in the New Year.

“I’m very happy. I really enjoyed last year and I am really looking forward to next season. I’ve said loads of times how much the club means to me; that’s probably the basis of my decision and also dealing with John and what he has got planned for the year ahead. Once I spoke to John, I felt like I wanted to be part of it.

“When I came in last year, I said I wanted us to do something good and we did, but next year I want to go a step further and win something. It’s up to the younger lads now to step up, push us those next few steps that we need to go and drive this club forward into the next few years.

“You don’t want to look too far ahead. At the moment, it’s about staying fit, working on things physically and then going into pre-season. The sooner the games start, the better! I have really enjoyed the time off, but it’s not too long before you are itching to get back training so I am really looking forward to the season ahead and to getting pre-season underway as quickly as possible.”

On re-signing for the league and cup runners up, manager John Caulfield said he was a great influence on the younger members of the squad.

“I’m very happy. I really enjoyed last year and I am really looking forward to next season. I’ve said loads of times how much the club means to me; that’s probably the basis of my decision and also dealing with John and what he has got planned for the year ahead. Once I spoke to John, I felt like I wanted to be part of it.

“When I came in last year, I said I wanted us to do something good and we did, but next year I want to go a step further and win something. It’s up to the younger lads now to step up, push us those next few steps that we need to go and drive this club forward into the next few years.

“You don’t want to look too far ahead. At the moment, it’s about staying fit, working on things physically and then going into pre-season. The sooner the games start, the better! I have really enjoyed the time off, but it’s not too long before you are itching to get back training so I am really looking forward to the season ahead and to getting pre-season underway as quickly as possible.”

Bennett is the eighteenth player to be signed up by City for the 2016 season, alongside fellow ex-Irish international Colin Healy.