Mal Benning
Benning playing for Port Vale in 2022
Personal information
Full name Malvind Singh Benning[1]
Date of birth (1993-11-02) 2 November 1993[2]
Place of birth West Bromwich, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Shrewsbury Town
Number 3
Youth career
2001–2011 Walsall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Walsall 46 (2)
2012 → Evesham United (loan) 5 (0)
2015 → York City (loan) 9 (0)
2015–2021 Mansfield Town 214 (9)
2021–2023 Port Vale 65 (2)
2023– Shrewsbury Town 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:18, 18 August 2023 (UTC)

Malvind Singh "Mal" Benning (born 2 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League One club Shrewsbury Town.

He began his career with Walsall and had loan spells with Evesham United and York City. He made his debut in the English Football League at Walsall in November 2012 and went on to feature 53 times in total, before signing with Mansfield Town in May 2015. He spent six seasons with Mansfield, making 251 appearances in all competitions. He signed with Port Vale in June 2021 and helped the club to win promotion out of League Two via the play-offs in 2022. He transferred to Shrewsbury Town in August 2023.

Early and personal life

Benning, whose parents are Indian Sikhs,[4][5] was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands.[6] He was educated at Queen Mary's Grammar School and is a Liverpool supporter.[7][8]

He was named on Kick It Out's new advisory board in June 2021; Benning had been targeted for racist abuse on Twitter in January 2020, which was reported to the police by the Professional Footballers' Association, though Benning stated that other than that he had "not experienced much 'racism' as one of very few Asian players in the professional game" (0.25% of the 3,700 professional players in 2020 were British Asian).[9][10][11]

Club career

Walsall

Benning playing for York City in 2015

Benning started his career with Walsall, progressing through the youth system from the under-8 side.[12] He played as a midfielder before gaining weight and being moved to left-back in his early teenage years.[13] In January 2012, he joined Non-League club Evesham United, who played in the Southern League Premier Division, on a youth loan.[14] He made his first-team debut for Walsall at the Bescot Stadium on 6 November 2012, in a 4–1 defeat to Scunthorpe United in League One, coming on as a substitute for James Chambers.[15] He signed his first professional contract, of two-and-a-half years, in January 2013.[16] He went on to start seven games and make four substitute appearances in the 2012–13 season.[15] On 5 March 2014, he scored his first goal in senior football in a 2–1 defeat at Coventry City.[17] He claimed another goal in a 3–2 defeat at Stevenage the following month, and ended the 2013–14 season with fifteen starts and three appearances from the bench.[18][19] He was played mainly at right-back in his early career, keeping the experienced Ben Purkiss out of the team.[20]

Benning joined League Two club York City on 22 January 2015 on a one-month loan, with manager Russ Wilcox looking to provide competition for the ever-present Femi Ilesanmi.[21][22] He made his debut in a 1–1 home draw with Burton Albion two days later[23] and his loan was extended by a second month in February 2015.[24] Having made nine appearances[23] he was recalled by Walsall on 16 March 2015 after an injury to Andy Taylor.[25] He made 13 starts and 11 substitute appearances for Walsall in the 2014–15 season,[23] and was often played further up the pitch from his familiar left-back position by manager Dean Smith.[26] Benning was released in May 2015.[27]

Mansfield Town

Benning signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on 22 May 2015.[28] He suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in October 2015 and was out of action for four months; he tested his recovery from the injury by tackling a brick wall.[29] Manager Adam Murray had initially worried that Benning could be ruled out for the whole of the 2015–16 season, but it transpired that no surgery was necessary to repair the damage as 12 weeks in a brace was sufficient to allow the body to heal itself.[30][31] He signed a new contract of undisclosed length in May 2016, having scored four goals from 33 games.[32][33] He missed just one league and one EFL Trophy game during the 2016–17 season, playing a total of 52 times and scoring one goal, as the club posted a 12th-place finish.[34] He told the media that new manager Steve Evans had "made an impact instantly" and "made it clear that he's striving for promotion", but that for Benning "the main focus is to keep my place in the team".[35][36]

He signed a new one-year contract in February 2018.[37] However, he was sent off in a 1–0 defeat to Accrington Stanley at Field Mill on 31 March, a lack of discipline which caused him to be criticised by newly appointed manager David Flitcroft.[38] He scored a winning goal against local rivals Chesterfield on 14 April, which earned him the nickname "Sir Mal" from supporters.[39] This was his only goal from 34 appearances in the 2017–18 season, one in which Mansfield finished one place outside the play-offs.[40] Benning adapted well to the new manager's wing-back system and after he increased his running statistics towards the end of the season credited Flitcroft's work ethic in training for his improved fitness levels.[41][42]

Benning featured 55 times over the course of the 2018–19 season, missing just one league game.[43] Mansfield finished in fourth place but were beaten on penalties by Newport County in the semi-finals of the play-offs despite Benning converting his penalty.[44] Flitcroft was sacked after the defeat, though Benning said that he was ready to focus on football again after returning from holiday in Mexico and that he and the rest of the squad had had positive meetings with new manager John Dempster.[45] However, the new season went poorly and Dempster was replaced by Graham Coughlan in December.[46] Benning played 39 games in the 2019–20 season, which saw Mansfield finish 21st on points per game after the season was curtailed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[47]

He lost his left-back position to Stephen McLaughlin during the 2020–21 season.[48] However, he would regain his first-team spot and earned praise for his consistency from manager Nigel Clough in January.[49] On 27 April 2021, it was announced that he would leave Mansfield to "seek a new challenge" with the decision made "amicably and mutually", having made 251 appearances in a six-year stay at the club.[50] He stated that "one massive regret is to not have been able to help get the club promoted"; he was the 18th highest appearance maker in the club's history at the time of his departure.[51]

Port Vale

Benning warming up for Port Vale in 2022

On 28 June 2021, Benning agreed a one-year contract with Port Vale, to begin on 1 July; he was signed to compete with fellow new arrival Dan Jones.[12] He started five of the "Valiants" first seven League Two games of the 2021–22 season, but admitted that "I think there is a lot more to come from me... I feel like I can do a lot more".[52] He was dropped to the bench after James Gibbons returned from injury, but came on as a half-time substitute to score his first goal at Vale Park in a 3–1 win over Barrow on 16 October.[53] He was limited to 17 league starts in the 2021–22 campaign, but would score the winning penalty kick in the penalty shoot-out victory over Swindon Town in the play-off semi-finals.[54][55] He started in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and scored Vale's final goal as they secured promotion with a 3–0 victory over former club Mansfield Town; Michael Baggaley of The Sentinel wrote that Benning was "excellent" and he "set up Harratt’s opener, went close to scoring in the first half then confirmed Vale’s victory with a sliding volley for the third five minutes from time".[56][57] He signed a new one-year contract in June 2022.[58]

He enjoyed an excellent run of form at the start of the 2022–23 season, maintaining a first-team place despite competition for the left-wing back position from Dan Jones, Liam McCarron and Thierry Small, whilst Chris Hussey was allowed to leave the club.[59] Speaking in December, manager Darrell Clarke said that Benning "has defended very, very well; it hasn't been one of his main strengths but he has been good going forward, he has added that to his game and been ultra-consistent".[60] He did though lose his first-team place to Sammy Robinson as the club's form tailed off in the second half of the campaign.[61] His stay with the club was automatically extended by a year after he triggered an appearance-based clause.[62] However, director of football David Flitcroft said that he "wouldn't get the regular game time that he would hope for and that a move away from Vale Park would be in his best interest".[63]

Shrewsbury Town

On 3 August 2023, Benning joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a one-year deal.[64]

International career

Benning stated his desire to represent India national team in August 2015 but said he was unable to as the nation's strict rules on eligibility meant he would have to first give up his British passport and get an Indian passport.[13]

Style of play

Benning is an attacking left-back, who is also able to play at left wing-back.[39] He has pace and good crossing ability, also boasting good free kick and volleying skills.[39]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 August 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Walsall 2011–12[65] League One 0000000000
2012–13[15] League One 100100000110
2013–14[19] League One 162101000182
2014–15[23] League One 20010211[lower-alpha 1]0241
Total 462303110533
Evesham United (loan) 2011–12[66] Southern League Premier Division 50———50
York City (loan) 2014–15[23] League Two 90———90
Mansfield Town 2015–16[33] League Two 31400101[lower-alpha 1]0334
2016–17[34] League Two 45110105[lower-alpha 2]0521
2017–18[40] League Two 28130102[lower-alpha 2]0341
2018–19[43] League Two 45320206[lower-alpha 3]1554
2019–20[47] League Two 33020103[lower-alpha 2]0390
2020–21[67] League Two 32030102[lower-alpha 2]0380
Total 21491107019125110
Port Vale 2021–22[54] League Two 26120107[lower-alpha 4]2363
2022–23[68] League One 39110113[lower-alpha 2]1443
Total 6523021103806
Shrewsbury Town 2023–24[69] League One 3000100040
Career total 3421317013230440219
  1. 1 2 Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. ↑ Four appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs
  4. ↑ Four appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs

Honours

Port Vale

See also

References

  1. ↑ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Mal Benning". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Malvind Benning". Mansfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Malvind Benning ready to prove his worth at Walsall". Express and Star. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  5. ↑ Chatterjee, Deepshikha (22 July 2016). "5 lesser known footballers of Indian origin". Sportskeeda.
  6. ↑ "Malvind Benning". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Congratulations to QM old boy Malvind Benning on signing a new contract with @WFCOfficial". Twitter. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Mansfield Town's Mal Benning set for proud moment against West Brom". www.chad.co.uk. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Kick It Out names players advisory board". BBC Sport. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "Twitter abuse needs 'stronger action' – PFA". BBC Sport. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  11. ↑ Ingle, Sean (6 July 2020). "Why are there so few British Asian footballers at professional clubs? | Sean Ingle". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Port Vale agree one-year contract with Mal Benning". www.port-vale.co.uk. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  13. 1 2 Lomas, John (27 August 2015). "Mansfield Town defender Mal Benning blazing a trail for Asian footballers". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Player profile: Malvind Benning". Walsall F.C. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  16. ↑ "Benning awarded Walsall contract". BBC Sport. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  17. ↑ Scott, Ged (5 March 2014). "Coventry City 2–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  18. ↑ "Stevenage 3–2 Walsall". BBC Sport. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Purkiss eager to 'make difference'". BBC Sport. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  21. ↑ "Malvind Benning: York sign Walsall defender on loan". BBC Sport. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  22. ↑ Flett, Dave (22 January 2015). "Malvind Benning's appetite for a fight impresses York City boss Russ Wilcox". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  24. ↑ Flett, Dave (23 February 2015). "York City extend Malvind Benning's loan stay by a further month". The Press. York. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  25. ↑ Flett, Dave (16 March 2015). "Luke Summerfield being lined up for surprise York City recall". The Press. York. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  26. ↑ "Malvind Benning's future is with Walsall". Express and Star. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "Walsall release quartet". Sky Sports. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Benning completes Stags switch". Mansfield Town F.C. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  29. ↑ "Returning Stag Benning hits the wall". BBC Sport. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  30. ↑ "Benning could return by January". BBC Sport. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  31. ↑ "Malvind Benning: injury update". www.mansfieldtown.net. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  32. ↑ "Defensive trio sign new Stags contracts". BBC Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  33. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  34. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  35. ↑ "Benning embracing the changing of the guard". www.mansfieldtown.net. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  36. ↑ "Benning enjoying education under Stags' boss". www.mansfieldtown.net. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  37. ↑ "Mansfield trio sign new one-year deals". BBC Sport. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  38. ↑ Davies, Matt (30 March 2018). "Flitcroft furious with Benning as Mansfield slip out of play-off places". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  39. 1 2 3 Baggaley, Michael (30 June 2021). "Port Vale's new signing is 'Sir Mal' to Mansfield Town fans". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  40. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  41. ↑ "Benning says Stags' boss is reason for improved fitness". www.mansfieldtown.net. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  42. ↑ "Feature: Mal Benning in-depth interview". www.mansfieldtown.net. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  43. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  44. ↑ "Mansfield Town 0–0 (3–5 pens) Newport County". BBC Sport. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  45. ↑ "Last season will fuel me heading into new term – Benning". www.mansfieldtown.net. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  46. ↑ "Stags appoint Graham Coughlan". www.mansfieldtown.net. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  47. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  48. ↑ Lomas, John (30 April 2021). "Mal Benning departure is best move for both parties says boss". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  49. ↑ Browne, Duncan (17 January 2021). "Nigel Clough praises Mansfield Town defender Mal Benning's 'loyalty'". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  50. ↑ "Left-back Benning to leave Mansfield". BBC Sport. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  51. ↑ "Long-serving defender to seek new challenge". www.mansfieldtown.net. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  52. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (17 September 2021). "Mal Benning's message to Port Vale fans ahead of Harrogate game". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  53. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (18 October 2021). "Mal Benning's message about Port Vale competition and Mansfield return". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  54. 1 2 "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  55. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (19 May 2022). "Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  56. 1 2 Aloia, Andrew (28 May 2022). "Mansfield Town 0–3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  57. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (28 May 2022). "Port Vale player ratings from Wembley win over Mansfield". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  58. ↑ Mounteney, Luke (23 June 2022). "Mal Benning signs contract extension". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  59. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (6 September 2022). "Mal Benning thanks Port Vale fans as he enjoys regular run". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  60. ↑ "Darrell Clarke | "Stay level-headed and keep on improving"". www.port-vale.co.uk. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  61. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (10 April 2023). "Mal Benning says Port Vale can learn plenty from this season". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  62. ↑ Fielding, Rob (28 July 2023). "Contract extension - Port Vale clarify defender's status". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  63. ↑ "Mal Benning Leaves The Valiants". www.port-vale.co.uk. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  64. ↑ "Shrewsbury sign defender Benning and striker Mata". BBC Sport. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  66. ↑ "Evesham United appearances". Evesham United F.C. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Malvind Benning in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
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