Richie Bennett

Early career

Bennett joined the youth team at Oldham Athletic at the age of ten and left Boundary Park five years later. He went on to make his debut in the Manchester League for Springhead at the age of 16. He moved on to Curzon Ashton the next year, before being signed to Northern Premier League Division One North side Mossley in November 2013. He scored eight goals in 22 games during the second half of the 2013–14 season. He signed with Northwich Victoria, where he was christened "Richie" by manager Jim Gannon, having previously only been known as Richard or Rich. He scored 44 goals in two seasons with the "Vics" and helped them to win the 2014 Cheshire Senior Cup. During his time playing as an amateur and semi-professional he worked in customer sales for Marks & Spencer, in a call centre and also a spell as a care assistant working with dementia sufferers. He also became a father at the age of 17.

Barrow

On 17 May 2016, Bennett signed a two-year contract at National League club Barrow. It was reported that he opted to go to Holker Street ahead of competition from League Two clubs. He went on to score 22 goals in 53 games as Paul Cox's "Bluebirds" finished the 2016–17 season in seventh-position, just missing out on the play-offs.

Carlisle United

On 25 July 2017, 26-year-old Bennett signed for Football League side Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee (later reported to be £50,000) on a two-year contract. Bennett stated that "I think I'm ready…

Standing at 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in), Bennett is a hard-working forward who is good in the air. Describing his own game, he said that "I would like to say I'm aggressive, quick - one of them annoying strikers that doesn't really give you time to think about what you are doing on the ball".

As of match played 28 April 2026

Northwich Victoria

Cheshire Senior Cup: 2013–14 Sutton United

EFL Trophy runner-up: 2021–22