Paul Benson

[BoyWonder2]

According to the official site, we have a Paul Benson playing today for the reserves. I'm trying to find out a little bit about him and so have I know we plays for White Ensign for the Intermediate League and also plays rep football for Essex. I'm looking on www.essexfa.com reading the rep game reports and heres what I found on Benson.

Quote[/b] ]Middlesex responded well to the shock lead though, and looked to be forcing their way back into the game until ever-prolific White Ensign striker Paul Benson scuffed Essexs into a two goal advantage.

Quote[/b] ]However, on 31 minutes the visitor's drew level with White Ensign striker Paul Benson seeing his powerful header canon in off the underside of the crossbar.

Quote[/b] ]A fantastic hat-trick from White Ensign striker Paul Benson set Essex on their way

Quote[/b] ]That chance triggered the match into life and Ian Temple headed over the top for the visitor’s from a corner before an Essex flag-kick saw Paul Benson’s header pushed out by Sheridan .

Essex then took the lead on the half hour. Paul Benson again meeting a corner to firmly head in. (1-0).

Quote[/b] ]62 minutes, Paul Benson headed the home side back in front from close range. (2-1)
Three minutes later, Paul Benson completed his impressive hat-trick, sliding in a low cross from ex-Manchester United youngster Kalam Mooniaruck. (3-1)

Seems to know where the net is, which is always handy if your goalgetting centre forward.

 

[fbm]

But there is an ENORMOUS difference between pro football and Essex intermediate league.

But good luck to the bloke. I hope it comes good for him.

 

[Guest]

If he does well he might be worth a further look, he doesn't sound too bad. But the Essex Intermediate is a far cry even from the semi-pro leagues, so I'm not getting my hopes up just yet....

 

[Firestorm]

He had scored 14 by October according tp the web site

Didn't Wakering pick up a couple of White Ensign boys earlier on in the season...I wonder why this lad never went ?

 

[Guest]

Yeah the Benson's are pretty well known in the area for being exceptional footballers at senior level. Neil, Gary and Paul used to play for my brother's Suinday league side - Southend United Supporters Club F.C - and as far as I can remember Paul, who is also the youngest, was the most gifted of the three.

I'm pretty sure Neil had a trial with Blues a few years ago too...

 

[sismith]

Quote[/b] (Guest @ Mar. 16 2005,14:53)]Yeah the Benson's are pretty well known in the area for being exceptional footballers at senior level. Neil, Gary and Paul used to play for my brother's Suinday league side - Southend United Supporters Club F.C - and as far as I can remember Paul, who is also the youngest, was the most gifted of the three.

I'm pretty sure Neil had a trial with Blues a few years ago too...

Which was in the same side as my old man's. Paul's bloody good and should be playing higher, but I doubt any think will come of it.

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Whatever @ Mar. 16 2005,14:03)]If he does well he might be worth a further look, he doesn't sound too bad. But the Essex Intermediate is a far cry even from the semi-pro leagues, so I'm not getting my hopes up just yet....

.. but maybe not such a far cry from Woking reserves.

 

[Guest]

Well he's on the scoresheet...

 

[Firestorm]

4-0 Dudders 2 Benson & North (at half time)

 

[Rusty Lee]

Benson looked good, won everything in the air, done enough to derserve another chance, played well in the 1st half with Dudfield. Difficult to tell tho with so many players chopping and changing, Paul has a great footballing brain something i feel is lacking in a few players currently in the side

 

[loz]

If he's as good as I remember him being in primary school, he's got to be worth a look. Put my 9-year-old dreams of full England caps into severe perspective...

 

[Bucks_blue]

Not wanting to poo poo this without having ever seen him play but why has he not been picked up by someine else?

Is he a late developer? Someone has compared him to Peter Crouch is he a bit lightweight for Pro Football?

Seems a bit odd to have got as far as he has scoring so many goals in local league and for County and not had a sniff from a pro club Youth Team.

Still lets hope he's Freddy II.

 

[BoyWonder2]

According to the official site, his managed over 300 for White Ensign.

What other views do we have on him, Danny Blewitt and Sam Wright from the guys that went to the reserve team match.

 

[McNasty]

Does anyone know if he is related to SUFC's very long-term fan Charlie Benson by any chance ?

 

[Rusty Lee]

yes CB is he's dad, Paul also broke both legs when he was 19 at the time when he was starting to get noticed so that accounts for this late start.

 

[Jaysta]

yes, he's his son!

 

[BoyWonder2]

Quote[/b] (Rusty Lee @ Mar. 16 2005,17:15)]yes CB is he's dad, Paul also broke both legs when he was 19 at the time when he was starting to get noticed so that accounts for this late start.

How do you know all this?

 

[Rusty Lee]

Pauls a personal friend, not that close b4 anybody comments

 

[BoyWonder2]

Hairy muff.

I hope it goes well you the fella, I like to see local non-league players doing well for us like Freddy and (arguably) Tes. I take it you went to the match today? Overall impressions of Blewitt, Benson and Wright.

 

[Hooly]

Just for those who don't know of the Benson's.  Charlie has been supporting Southend for hundreds of years, he is one of the legends amongst the older fans, going back to the days when the likes of him & the late Keith Summers would hitch-hike to games.  Like many of us he argued vehemently with Jobson & when many, incl myself for a while, boycotted the club Charlie stayed true to his views & refused to return until Jobbo left.

He's been involved with local football for many years off & on with the likes of IIRC Bell Sports & others as a player & manager, North Bank United, Southend United Supporters Club & White Ensign etc through the exploits of his 3 boys Neil, Gary & Paul (not forgetting nephew the great Scott Elliott, son of Grey John).  He also managed the Saturday supporters team, which in the late 80's & early 90's played games home & away nearly every week against opposition as far a field as Plymouth & Newcastle.  The exploits of this motley crew are a book in themselves.

However Charlie's greatest claim to fame (in my eyes anyway) was the management of the SUFC supporters teams in the Friends in Football Tournaments of IIRC the early 90's.  Played 2 Won 2.  Oh yes those were the days.  These were not little 5 a side affairs but, full blown footy tournaments organised by independent (or not so in some cases) supporters of some 30 or so clubs.  I went to both, the 1st hosted by Notts County the 2nd at Kiddy Harriers.  As an example the Arsenal boys at the 1st tourney turned up on a club coach, with club driver, wore 2 kits used by the 1st team & donated to them & trained at the indoor facility at Highbury.  The Shrimpers had about 6 different shirts begged for the team from the Beaver & HiTec days back to Firholm.  The great divide between the haves & have not's was already apparent.  But the flash b*st*rds still lost!!  Top days they were & the Benson catchphrase "you ain't won nothing yet"  was ultimately wrong both times.  The trophies were last seen in the Railway many years ago.  But these days again were full of great stories & characters.  Many who still lurk on these message boards.

Of Charlie's boys Neil was a highly talented midfield player who I first saw whilst refereeing North Bank United & then moved onto the legendary Southend United Supporters Club in the Sunday League (I've heard interviews were undertaken to ensure you were a fan in the early days).  I've not seen Neil on a pitch for a couple years but I always thought he could play, which with Ensign he's doing at a decent local level these days.

Paul was on Southend's books as a schoolboy I'm sure, but was small for his age IIRC & was released.  Whenever I saw him play he always scored goals.  He had a natural instinct, sounds like he's still got it.  As for Gary, he wasn't much interested at that time I think but also had the natural Benson talent according to reports.  I think all 3 now play for White Ensign in the Greene King Essex Intermediate League.

So that's the short introduction to the Bensons!  Charlie's bit could go on for effing pages & pages!