Alan Bennett

Alan is a former Republic of Ireland international and joined Cork City from local side Richmond FC in 2000. Having originally signed as a midfielder, he made a successful switch to defensive duties where he struck up a solid partnership with Dan Murray. He went on to make 161 league appearances in his six years at the club and signed for English side Reading on 29 January 2007.

Alan didn't make a senior appearance at Reading but enjoyed successful loan spells at Southampton and Brentford during his eighteen months with the Royals. During his extended loan at Brentford he became team captain and lifted the League Two trophy at the end of the 2008/09 season. This was also the point when he was released by Reading and he duly signed a permanent deal with Brentford where he stayed until July 2010 when he signed for Wycombe Wanderers.

Alan stayed at Wycombe for a year, making 24 league appearances during the 2010/11 season, but in July 2011 he moved on, signing for Cheltenham Town where he captained the club in all 73 of his appearances. It was a successful eighteen months stay and he reluctantly left on 31st January, the final day of the winter transfer window, to join AFC Wimbledon.

Alan spent two years at Wimbledon, making 66 league appearances during that time, but in February 2015 he called an end to his time in England and returned home for a second spell at Cork City. He went on to make 23 league appearances during 2015, scoring twice, in wins over St Pats and Galway United. Cork finished runners-up in the league to Dundalk once more and Alan also played in the 2015 FAI Cup Final where City lost 1-0 to Dundalk after extratime. Alan was named man of the match for his defensive performance.

In 2016 Alan scored twice in 27 league appearances and again played in the FAI Cup Final where City again met Dundalk but this took the trophy back to Leeside after a 1-0 win.

Alan signed a new two year contract with Cork following their double success and is now committed to the club till the end of the 2019 season. Alan retired from football at the end of the 2020 season.