Joe Bennett

Middlesbrough

Bennett began playing football for Northallerton Town at youth level, scoring four times in his first match. One of the coaches at the club, Andy Ramsbotham, also worked for Middlesbrough as a scout and recommended Bennett for a trial with the club, resulting in him joining Middlesbrough's youth academy. However, he suffered a setback when he was de-registered by Boro at under-15 level meaning, although he could still train with the side, he was ineligible to play for them. He later had an unsuccessful trial with Newcastle United before dropping back into local Sunday league football on the recommendation of assistant academy manager Stan Nixon. During his year away from Middlesbrough, Bennett switched from his usual role as a full-back, instead playing as a forward, and "worked really hard on (his) fitness and strength" later commenting that the experience made him realise "how badly I wanted to make it." He was signed on again at the Riverside Stadium after a year, being awarded a scholarship with the under-16 side before being promoted to the club's reserve side in his late teens. Following his spell in the reserves, Bennett secured a two-year professional deal and named in the senior squad for the first time. He was named on the bench for a number of Premier League fixtures, before making his first team debut on 24 May 2009 during a 2–1 defeat to West Ham United in the final game of the 2008–09 season, replacing Tony McMahon after 46 minutes. The…

Bennett was part of the England under-19 squad at the 2009 European Championships in Ukraine in the summer of 2009. After featuring as a substitute in England's opening two group matches, draws with Switzerland and hosts Ukraine, Bennett was named in the starting lineup for his side's final group match, a 7–1 victory over Slovenia. He remained in the starting lineup for England's semifinal victory over France and their defeat to Ukraine in the final. He was due to participate in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup but did not because of club commitments. Bennett received his first call up for the England under-21 side after a series of impressive first team performances for Middlesbrough on 2 February 2011. He went into the squad for the game against Italy U21s, making his debut in the match as England suffered a 1–0 defeat. In May 2011, he was named in England's provisional 40-man squad for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship but was omitted from the final selection. He won his third and final cap for the under-21 side in a 4–1 victory over Israel in September 2011.

Bennett is regarded as an attacking full-back with impressive speed. During his career, he has played as a left wing-back and a left winger as well as a traditional full-back. Paul Fraser of The Northern Echo has described Bennett as "very quick, likes to get forward and is probably better attacking-wise than he is defensively." Bennett has stated that he likes "to get forward whenever I can" and "be involved as much as possible and get some crosses in."

Bennett was born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, but moved to the northeast, settling in the village of Swainby in North Yorkshire, when he was 10 following his parents' separation. He has a sister named Ali and attended Stokesley Secondary School. His father Adrian played football at amateur level and encouraged him to play football at a young age and Bennett's idol was Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard. As well as football, Bennett also played netball after being introduced to the sport by his mother, who was a coach, while he also played golf and tennis.