Bennett relishing Everton cup challenge

When the draw for the FA Cup Third Round was made, everyone connected with Cheltenham Town Football Club was very pleased – including captain and ex-Cork City defender Alan Bennett.

The npower League Two club had been drawn to play Premier League side Everton, after they had beaten non-league Hereford, which was a colossal pay-day for the club, as well as a big moment in the playing staff’s careers.

Alan Bennett, however, true to form, has taken the occasion with a level-headed and optimistic approach, determined not to be fazed by their illustrious opponents.

“This time last year we got drawn away to Spurs, who were third in the league at the time, and were really the form team. We went there and lost 3-0, but we gave a very good account of ourselves, and this time Everton are coming to our place, so it’s a little bit different.

“I think he [Everton manager David Moyes] will play a strong team. He came to watch us against Hereford, and I think that this time ten years ago Shrewsbury - who were in the same division us at the time - knocked them out of the cup, so that’s probably hanging over their head. We’re going to have a good crack off it anyway”.

He also paid respect to the magnitude of the occasion, and explained just how much it meant to the club to negotiate their way past rivals Hereford – although it did take two-legs and 210 minutes of football.

“It’s kind of a West Country derby here as such – there’s only 20 miles between the clubs.

“Hereford have always had it over Cheltenham, even though they dropped out of the league recently.

“We drew at our place when we had the majority of the chances, and then we showed real character to go there, go ahead again and be pegged back again, and then to get the winner with about two or three minutes left in extra time.

“There was a lot at stake for both clubs and there was pressure from above as well, so it was very pleasing overall”

Speaking to him, it is plainly obvious that Alan does care about the club, as it has been the one English one where he has really found a proverbial footballing home for himself, after flitting from club-to-club for a period, following on from starring in the League of Ireland with his local club Cork City.

“I came over [to England] and was kind of trying to find my feet, and then I went on loan a couple of times, first to Brentford and then to Wycombe, but it’s been good

“I’ve played about 80 games for Cheltenham and I’m happy to have found a home really.”

He has presided as captain over a relatively fruitful period for the club, who last season lost the League One Play-Off Final thanks to a moment of sheer class from Manchester United-bound Nick Powell, which ‘Benno’ believes proved the difference.

“We had a two-legged semi-final against Torquay, which we got through and that was great.

“Then I had to get tickets for people back home sorted, but once I had that out of the way I could just relax and look forward to the game, which was eventually settled by a special player, a guy who’s joined [Manchester] United since, so he was probably the difference in the game.”

The phrase commonly bandied arounf after losing in the play-off final is having a ‘hangover’ and thus not performing well the following season. Alan maintains that is not the case however.

“The expectation around the support has definitely changed, they’re less patient when it comes to winning games straight away, but that comes with success, and you need to keep the support at a high level.

“Overall, the atmosphere with the manager and the other players hasn’t really changed, because we were always focussed on getting promoted, so the aim hasn’t really changed.

“We haven’t really hit top form to be honest. We either perform very well or go out and play like last night - that’s the third time that’s happened this season which isn’t good.

“We’re third in the league however, and it really only matters at the end of the year, not the festive period.

What does the future hold for Bennett however? He revealed that his local club Cork City still hold a firm place in his heart, and that he’d like to don the Rebel Army colours once again before he hangs up his boots.

“I watch out for their results every week, every time I go on the internet I look up the Cork City website to see what’s happening. I’d be in touch with Neal Horgan quite a bit, although he’s not as involved as he used to be. They’re really building towards something there.

“I’d like to finish my career back at Cork City.

“Hopefully something will come around at the right time, I know there was a bit of interest the season before last, but I wanted to prove myself in England first, but this year my contract is up in the summer, so we’ll see what happens.”