Chelsea FC Profile: Walter Bennett
Full Name: Walter Bennett
Born: Thursday, 27th February 1902
Place of birth: Unknown, Unknown
Height: 5' 10"
Died: Sunday, 28th September 1986 (aged 84)
Involvement with Chelsea:
Player from 1922 to 1924
Walter Bennett was a 1st cousin, once removed (but widely reported as "nephew") of "Cocky", "Micky", "Tip" & George Bennett of the famous Mexborough Bennett dynasty of the late 19th and first few years of the 20th century.
Walter began his playing days with Tinsley WMC in Sheffield and after a trial with Birmingham in Feb 1922, as a 19-year-old, joined Chelsea in Mar 1922, where he spent just over 2 full seasons.
Having not secured a first-team starting place, only making 5 appearances, he moved to Southend for the 1924/25 season. He then spent periods with Doncaster, Wombwell, Portsmouth, Gainsborough Trinity, Bristol City, Newark Town, Ballymena and finally ending his playing days (that I've been able to trace) with Weymouth in Dorset, who he joined in 1933.
From a press report, whilst in Portsmouth, he married local girl Elsie Alexandra Callaby, just as he had been transferred to Gainsborough. Whether she travelled with Walter during his nomadic football career, it's unclear, but they were both to be found in Weymouth at the time of the 1939 census after his playing days were over. Walter was a "Turner Air Vessel Ends". The 1939 Census had them living with Rosa Callaby, Elsie's widowed mother and this, in turn, confirmed it as them and also confirmed Walters birth date as 27 Feb 1902.
Confirmed from his birth date on the death registration, Walter passed away in neighbouring Portland on 28th Sep 1986 whilst Elsie lived until Sep 1999 when she passed aged 98.
Playing Career:
Tinsley WMC
Chelsea (Mar 1922 to May 1924) - cost: unknown - Released
Southend United
Doncaster Rovers
Wombwell Town
Portsmouth
Gainsborough Trinity
Bristol City
Newark Town
Ballymena
Weymouth
* Released = Contract not renewed by Chelsea
Chelsea First-Team Career Summary
Debut: Saturday, 18th November 1922, Burnley 1 - 0 Chelsea
Age on debut: 20 years 8 months 22 days
Last Appearance: Saturday, 5th January 1924, Chelsea 0 - 0 Arsenal
Appearances
| Goals
|
* oth = other competitive matches such as Full Members Cup, Charity/Community Shield, Fifa World Club Cup.
Figures in ( ) are substitute appearances and are also included in the totals.
i.e. Walter Bennett made 5 appearances for Chelsea, of which 0 were as a substitute.
Competitive Matches Played
| Comp | Date | Home | Away | Att | |||
| League | 18th Nov 1922 | Burnley | 1 | 0 | Chelsea | 15,000 |  |
| League | 29th Sep 1923 | Sheffield United | 1 | 0 | Chelsea | 20,000 | |
| League | 20th Oct 1923 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 | West Ham United | 50,000 |  |
| League | 1st Jan 1924 | Liverpool | 3 | 1 | Chelsea | 30,000 | |
| League | 5th Jan 1924 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 | Arsenal | 38,000 | |
Chelsea Graves Society Info & External Research Links:
View CGS profile for Walter Bennett on AncestryReturn to Player Directory.
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