When Richie Bennett signed for County from Port Vale back in March 2020, he had high hopes that County could achieve promotion.
The powerful striker made his debut at Maidenhead United and played a key role in County edging out the home side by the odd goal in three. The win lifted County into the play-off positions, but the appearance proved to be the last one for seven months as the coronavirus pandemic hit hard, and the 2019/20 was cut short.
Under points per game, County just missed out of the play-offs, leaving many wondering ‘what if?’ For Richie, although it was frustrating, he feels people’s health is far more important. “I joined, played one game then we had to go into lockdown,” said Richie. “It was away so I haven’t played in front of the County fans at Edgeley Park yet. We beat Maidenhead which lifted us into the playoffs, but when they cancelled the season we were out of the play-offs! It was so frustrating.
“I want to get out and play in front of the fans. Repay faith, but one of them things with lockdown. People’s health is the most important.” The six-foot-four centre forward, who originally came through the ranks as a schoolboy at Oldham Athletic, worked his way up through non-league playing for Curzon Ashton and Mossley before enjoying a hugely successful stint under James Gannon at Northwich Victoria, scoring 44 goals in two seasons, which earned him a move to Barrow where he scored 22 goals in just 53 games.
Next up was a Football League move to Carlisle United, spending two years there which included a loan spell at Morecambe before moving on to Port Vale prior to the 2019/20 season. Bennett scored seven goals for Port Vale in 2019/20 before reuniting with Jim Gannon at County, signing a two-year deal at Edgeley Park.
Now the new season is underway, Bennett is pleased with his, and the club’s contribution. With the resources and abundance of talent at the James Gannon’s disposal, Richie feels there is no reason why the Hatters can set his sights high on promotion.
“The club have brought a lot of quality in. With the quality we have there’s no reason why we can’t go on and push at the top of the table.
“Losing our first game of the season was annoying. We played really well at Torquay and we should have won the game.
“At Chesterfield, we played really well and deserved to win. But in the FA Cup tie, they came to stop us, and they played more their game. We were playing to their strengths. It was disappointing for the club to go out of the cup as it is nice to progress as you make more money for the club and excite the fans. The league though is our bread and butter.”
Bennett has impressed up front with his physical strength and bringing others into play. He has developed to become one of the key cogs in this talented County squad, and although he is pleased with the start he has made, he feels there is more to come.
“I’ve started well,” said Richie.“I’ve got a goal and five assists. There is a lot more to come from me though, I need to be doing more. Until recently we were top of the league and we need more from the team and myself. I know that we are not properly firing on all cylinders yet. We had a big pre-season but we are still finding out each players strengths. I had a head start joining in March, but everyone who arrived in the summer is still getting used to each other, I think we need another 6-7 games.” Richie knew first hand how big a club County was from his time working in a sheltered accommodation in Stockport nine years ago, and how much Jim Gannon was a big part of the club.
“I used to work in a sheltered accommodation in Stockport 8-9 years ago,” he said.“They were a big club, and always up there. I supported Oldham but Stockport have always been a massive club. When I was working in Stockport it allowed me to fully understand what it means to play for the club. A few people I looked after were County fans.
“Jim was always part of the club. I worked with him at Northwich and his knowledge and tactics were the best to be fair. At Northwich he did really well, he didn’t have much to work with. He demands as 12 much now as he did back then, which is a good thing. He’s a great manager.
“I’ve always kept in touch with Jim wherever I’ve been and we’ve always had that contact, so when there was interest from County I spoke to my agent and it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. “I’ve got a lot of good memories from Northwich with Jim, I did really well there and we were successful. I’ve appreciated him for putting his trust in me.” County earned a hard-fought point from fellow promotion-chasers Solihull Moors in midweek.
This afternoon the Hatters welcome National League new boys Weymouth to Edgeley Park for the first time, and Richie believes that the squad will show their opponents the utmost respect. “We will be fully prepared,” said Richie. “Weymouth are not a team I have played against before. They are a very good team, and we will show them respect like we did with Wealdstone. Newly promoted teams tend to have a mindset of going out with nothing to lose. They are a club who have just come up.
“It is important that we make Edgeley Park a fortress. We need the fans back as soon as it is possible. Teams have got to dread coming to Edgeley Park. We have a very good squad and we must build on our home form and make it the best in the league, and pick up points away.”
Interview conducted by Keith Chapman. For more in depth articles like these check out our Matchday programme.
