Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Mason Bennett
View on Wikipedia
Mason Kane Bennett (born 15 July 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Harrogate Town.
Key Information
He has also represented England Youth at U-16 and U-17 Level.[3] He holds the record as Derby County's youngest-ever player, when he made his full debut with a start in a defeat at Middlesbrough on 22 October 2011 at the age of 15 years and 99 days old. He beat the previous record, set by Lee Holmes 9 years earlier, by 169 days.[4] Bennett also holds the record of Derby County's youngest goal scorer with a goal against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup on 5 January 2013[5] at the age of 16 years and 174 days old.[6]
Career
[edit]Born in Langwith, Derbyshire and attending Shirebrook Academy,[7] Bennett came through the Derby County Academy at Moor Farm and showed "huge potential"[3] at an early age, playing for the club's Under-16's side at just 14 years old and was tied to the club on a five-year contract.[3] When discussing the club's youth policy in September 2011, Derby academy manager Darren Wassall said of Bennett: "He has a great attitude, lots of promise and lots of ability. He is a centre forward who scores goals but he has other parts to his game as well. He works very hard, he lives for football and he is from a lovely family. We have high hopes for him, as we have for many other players."[3] Such was Bennett's ability that he was moved to the U-18 side in the 2011–12 season, and garnered much attention for his performance in a 6–1 win away to Middlesbrough U-18s, where he scored twice and set-up two goals.[8]
He also made sparing appearances at reserve level, making his debut for the reserve team aged 14 against Sheffield Wednesday reserves on 26 October 2010.[9] and making a substitute appearance for the reserve side in a victory at Burton Albion.[10] Bennett's progress was such that he was named in the first team squad for the first time in the League Cup game against Shrewsbury Town on 9 August 2011, under a month after his 15th birthday.[11][12][13] However, he remained an unused substitute as Derby lost 3–2.[14]
He was considered for a role in a mid-week match away to Reading but, as Derby boss Nigel Clough later revealed "We would only get back from Reading at about 2am on Wednesday and he (had) school that morning!"[15] His potential and reputation at this point was already at a level where scouts from Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool were watching his progress.[16] He eventually made his full debut in a 2–0 defeat at Middlesbrough to become Derby's youngest ever first team player.[4] In the event of the match, Bennett played for 78 minutes and hit the bar in the second half. If the ball had gone in he would have set the record as the youngest scorer in Football League history.[17] Clough described the performance as "a very mature debut."[17] Bennett played nine times during the season and won the Academy Player of the Year award.[18]
Bennett mainly featured for the under-21 side at the start of the 2012–13 season sporadic substitute appearances, it was in one these appearances where Bennett scored his first goal for the first team, in a 5–0 win at home to Tranmere Rovers in the first half of the FA Cup on 5 January 2013, Bennett scored the fifth goal on 87 minutes, 3 minutes after he was introduced into the action.[5] This goal also set the record for the youngest goal scorer in Derby County's history at the age of 16 years and 174 days,[6] beating a record set by Lee Holmes in 2003.[5]
Bennett turned 17 in pre-season ahead of the 2013–14 season, where he is expected to continue to feature for the under-21 side as well as substitute appearances for the first team, with a potential loan move being considered.[19] Bennett however remained at the club and he scored his first league goal in Derby's 5–1 win at Millwall on 14 September.[20] He has since made sporadic appearances under new Rams boss Steve McClaren including an appearance in the FA Cup Third Round on 5 January 2014 tie against Chelsea at iPro Stadium, in which Bennett impressed many fans with his pace and willingness to run at experienced full-back and England centurion Ashley Cole.
On 13 March 2014, Bennett joined League Two side Chesterfield on a month's loan.[21] On 9 April 2014 he was recalled back to Derby.[22]
After returning to Derby County on 9 April, Bennett was left out of the squad that faced Queens Park Rangers in the 2014 Football League Championship play-off final but later signed a new four-year deal on 29 July to secure his future at the club.[23]
On 12 August 2014 Bennett joined Bradford City on loan until January.[24] Bennett scored his first goal for the club seven days later, in a 3–1 win away to Crawley Town.[25] He was recalled on 14 October, having scored once in 13 matches.[26]
Bennett joined Burton Albion on loan in January 2016.[27]
On 28 August 2020, Bennett completed a permanent deal to Millwall, signing for an undisclosed fee having spent part of the previous season on loan at the London club.[28]
He subsequently joined Burton Albion. On 13 May 2025 Burton said the player would leave in June when his contract expired.[29]
On 12 June 2025, Bennett agreed to join League Two side Harrogate Town on a two-year deal.[30]
Personal life
[edit]Bennett was arrested alongside Derby teammate Tom Lawrence in September 2019 on suspicion of drink-driving.[31] Club captain Richard Keogh was injured in the crash, and ruled out for the rest of the 2019–20 season.[32] Derby manager Phillip Cocu said that Keogh felt responsible for the situation,[33] and after Lawrence and Bennett both returned to Derby's team, Cocu said they were "not off the hook".[34] Lawrence and Bennett were then both fined 6 weeks' wages by Derby, and ordered to serve 80 hours of community service and rehabilitation.[35] On 15 October 2019 Lawrence and Bennett pleaded guilty to drink driving at Derby Magistrates Court.[36]
International career
[edit]Bennett represented England at U-16 and U-17 level whilst still only 15, and scored on his debut for the England U-17 side in the Nordic Under-17 Tournament in Iceland in 2011 in a 1–1 draw against Norway U17 in the Group Stages.[3][10][37][38] He grabbed the headlines with his performance in England U-16's 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland U-16's Victory Shield, in which he set up England's opener and then scored two goals in a three-minute second-half spell.[39] He scored another goal in a 4–2 win against Scotland U-16's as England won the Victory Shield.[40]
On 17 January 2012, Bennett was called up to the England U-17 squad for the Algarve Tournament in February 2012, joined by his teammate Will Hughes.[41] Bennett appeared in all 3 games, as England won the 3 game tournament with 7 points.[42] Bennett was also called up the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship elite round in March 2012, however England failed to qualify for the main tournament, finishing 3rd in their group on 4 points, with their exit confirmed in a 4–0 loss to Spain U17.[43] In August 2012, Bennett was called up to the England U-17 squad for the St George's Park International Tournament, which was played from August–September 2012.[44] Bennett scored the opening goal in Englands 3–2 loss against Italy U-17's[45] as England finished the tournament in third place out of four teams.
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 10 September 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Derby County | 2011–12[46] | Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2012–13[47] | Championship | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2013–14[48] | Championship | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2014–15[49] | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2015–16[50] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016–17[51] | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2017–18[52] | Championship | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2018–19[53] | Championship | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 38 | 3 | |
| 2019–20[54] | Championship | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 72 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 89 | 6 | ||
| Chesterfield (loan) | 2013–14[48] | League Two | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Bradford City (loan) | 2014–15[49] | League One | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| Burton Albion (loan) | 2015–16[50] | League One | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| Derby County U23 | 2016–17[51] | — | — | — | — | 1[b] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Notts County (loan) | 2017–18[52] | League Two | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Millwall | 2019–20[54] | Championship | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| 2020–21[55] | Championship | 37 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 6 | |
| 2021–22[56] | Championship | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2022–23[57] | Championship | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| Total | 96 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 11 | ||
| Burton Albion | 2023–24[58] | League One | 34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 41 | 4 |
| 2024–25[59] | League One | 34 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 1 | 37 | 4 | |
| Total | 68 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 78 | 8 | ||
| Harrogate Town | 2025–26[60] | League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Career totals | 272 | 23 | 11 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 311 | 29 | ||
- ^ Appearances in EFL Championship play-offs
- ^ a b c d e Appearances in EFL Trophy
Honours
[edit]Chesterfield
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2013–14[61]
England U16
- Victory Shield: 2011
Individual
- Derby County Academy Player of the Year: 2010, 2012
References
[edit]- ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Derby County" (PDF). English Football League. p. 14. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 463. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
- ^ a b c d e "O'Brien and Hendrick show that the Rams conveyor belt is starting to move again". thisisderbyshire. 5 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Teams news: Bennett to make Rams history at Boro". thisisderbyshire. 22 October 2011.
- ^ a b c "Derby County 5–0 Tranmere Rovers". dcfc.co.uk. 5 January 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Mason Bennett: Clough delighted for record-breaking striker". BBC Sport. 8 January 2013.
- ^ "Shirebrook shooting star!". Shirebrook Academy. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Best yet from U18s in a Boro battering". thisisderbyshire. 11 October 2011.
- ^ "Level-headed Mason making good progress after landmark reserves outing". Derby Evening Telegraph. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Mason set to show his class in Victory Shield clash". thisisderbyshire. 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Bennett Added to Rams squad". dcfc.co.uk. 9 August 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Team News: DCFC v Shrewsbury Town". dcfc.co.uk. 9 August 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mason Bennett". dcfc.co.uk. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Derby County 2–3 Shrewsbury Town". dcfc.co.uk. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Bennett could be set to feature at Middlesbrough". thisisderbyshire. 21 October 2011.
- ^ "Derby v Cardiff Preview: Bluebirds ready to unleash Bennett". Daily Mirror. November 2011.
- ^ a b "Derby County boss Nigel Clough praises Mason Bennett". BBC Sport. 23 October 2011.
- ^ "Bryson Named Club Player Of The Year". dcfc.co.uk. 2 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Russell arrival gives Rams an extra option as one of strikers with pedigree". Derby Telegraph. 27 July 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- ^ "Millwall 1–5 Derby". BBC Sport. 14 September 2013.
- ^ "Chesterfield Sign Teenage Prospect". Chesterfield FC. 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Bennett Recalled From Chesterfield". www.dcfc.co.uk. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "New deal for Derby County striker Mason Bennett – but he looks set to go out on loan". Derby Telegraph. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- ^ "THE BANTAMS BAG BENNETT – News – Bradford City".
- ^ "Crawley Town 1–3 Bradford City" BBC Sport. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "Derby County recall striker Mason Bennett from Bradford City loan". BBC Sport. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Mason Bennett: Derby County forward joins Burton Albion on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Millwall complete double signing". Millwall F.C. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Burton Albion: Brewers reward key players in League One survival battle". BBC Sport. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Mason Bennett signs for Town". www.harrogatetownafc.com. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Footballers charged with drink-driving after crash". BBC News. 25 September 2019.
- ^ "Derby captain out until end of season after crash". BBC News. 26 September 2019.
- ^ "Richard Keogh: Derby County boss Phillip Cocu says captain 'feels responsible' for crash". BBC Sport. 26 September 2019.
- ^ "Phillip Cocu: Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett 'not off the hook' after return at Barnsley". BBC Sport. 2 October 2019.
- ^ "Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett: Derby pair fined six weeks' wages after drink-driving charge". BBC Sport. 5 October 2019.
- ^ "Footballers plead guilty to drink-driving". BBC News. 15 October 2019.
- ^ The FA.com (3 August 2011). "Lions held by Norway in Nordics". Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Rams youngsters handed call-ups for Iceland trip". Derby Evening Telegraph. 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Two-Goal Mason Is England's Hero". dcfc.co.uk. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "Victory Shield: Scotland U16 2 England U16 4". Herald Scotland. 26 November 2011.
- ^ "Bennett & Hughes Get England Call-Ups". dcfc.co.uk. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ "Bennett & Hughes Start In England U17 Win". dcfc.co.uk. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "Hughes & Bennett Feature In England Defeat". dcfc.co.uk. 13 April 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "England Call For Mason". dcfc.co.uk. 8 August 2012.
- ^ The FA.com (29 August 2012). "Italy comeback stuns Lions". Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Mason Bennett in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ^ Woodcock, Ian (30 March 2014). "Chesterfield 1–3 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
External links
[edit]- Mason Bennett at Soccerbase
- Mason Bennett profile at dcfc.co.uk
- Mason Bennett profile at TheFA.com
Mason Bennett
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Background and education
Mason Bennett was born on 15 July 1996 in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, England.[1] For his secondary education, Bennett attended Shirebrook Academy in nearby Mansfield, where he balanced academic pursuits with emerging athletic talents.[6] The school, known for its community focus, supported his development during his formative years, allowing him to complete key qualifications such as GCSEs ahead of schedule.[7] This period at Shirebrook marked the pre-professional phase of his life, emphasizing local education over specialized training.[8] Bennett's local talent identification in Derbyshire naturally progressed to opportunities with nearby professional setups, setting the stage for his later career advancements.[9]Youth academy entry
Mason Bennett was scouted by Derby County during his time playing local youth football for Shirebrook Rangers, where his exceptional speed and acceleration were highlighted as key attributes by observers.[9] His enrollment at the nearby Shirebrook Academy enabled convenient access to initial trials and part-time training sessions with the club.[9] In 2010, at the age of 14, Bennett joined Derby County's academy at Moor Farm, where he quickly demonstrated huge potential through standout performances in youth matches.[10] Scouts and coaches recognized his versatility as a forward, capable of playing centrally or wide, bolstered by his pace and stamina. That year, he earned the Derby County Academy Player of the Year award, underscoring his early impact.[10] Bennett's early progression involved integration into the academy's youth teams, beginning with appearances for the under-16s and advancing to reserve-level games by late 2010. Training routines at the time focused on technical drills, physical conditioning to enhance his explosive attributes, and tactical sessions to develop his understanding of professional structures. By 2011, he had moved into the under-18 squad, regularly featuring in competitive fixtures while continuing to balance academy demands with his studies.[10][9]Club career
Derby County
Bennett's promising displays in Derby County's youth academy paved the way for his swift elevation to the senior squad under manager Nigel Clough.[4] He made his professional debut on 22 October 2011, starting in a 2–0 Championship defeat away to Middlesbrough, becoming Derby's youngest-ever player at 15 years and 99 days old.[11] This milestone appearance highlighted his raw potential as a versatile forward, though his early integration into the first team was cautious amid concerns over his physical development. Bennett scored his first senior goal on 5 January 2013 in a 5–0 FA Cup third-round victory over Tranmere Rovers, netting the opener at 16 years and 174 days to establish himself as Derby's youngest-ever goalscorer.[12] Under Clough and subsequent manager Steve McClaren, who took over in October 2013, Bennett earned sporadic starts and substitute roles, including his first league goal in a 5–1 win at Millwall on 14 September 2013.[13] These opportunities allowed him to contribute to Derby's push for promotion, though injuries and competition for places limited his consistency during the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 seasons (72 league appearances and 4 goals overall for Derby). Bennett's role expanded significantly under Frank Lampard, appointed in May 2018, who revived his career after a period of setbacks.[14] In the 2018–2019 season, he featured regularly, scoring crucial goals such as a long-range strike in a 2–1 victory over Wigan Athletic in March 2019, which Lampard likened to Gareth Bale's style.[15] The following campaign saw further contributions, including a goal against Swansea City, as Derby reached the play-off final. Over his nine-year spell from 2011 to 2020, Bennett amassed 89 first-team appearances and 6 goals across all competitions (including 17 cup appearances and 2 cup goals).[16][3]Loan spells
Bennett's development at Derby County necessitated loan moves to lower divisions for regular first-team exposure, building on his limited senior appearances with the Rams.[17] In March 2014, at age 17, Bennett joined League Two side Chesterfield on a one-month youth loan to gain competitive experience, becoming eligible for their Johnstone's Paint Trophy campaign.[18] He made five league appearances, all as a substitute, without scoring, contributing to Chesterfield's promotion push before being recalled early by Derby in April.[19][3] Later that year, in August 2014, Bennett moved to League One club Bradford City on a youth loan until January 2015, aimed at furthering his attacking development through consistent minutes.[20] He featured in 11 league games, scoring once in a 3–1 victory over Crawley Town, but was recalled by Derby in October after showing promise in Phil Parkinson's squad.[21][3] Seeking more opportunities in January 2016, Bennett signed for League One Burton Albion on a youth loan until the season's end, reuniting with former Derby academy coach Jimmy Phillips to aid his progression.[22] Across 16 league appearances, he netted a single goal in a 3–1 win against Bradford City, helping Burton's promotion efforts before returning to Derby.[23][3] In January 2018, amid limited chances at Derby, Bennett joined League Two Notts County on loan until June to secure regular football and rebuild match sharpness.[24] He appeared twice in the league, scoring once, though injuries curtailed his involvement during Notts County's promotion campaign.[3] Bennett's final loan from Derby came in January 2020 to Championship club Millwall until the season's end, providing an opportunity in a higher division under manager Gary Rowett to demonstrate his potential beyond the Rams.[25] He recorded nine league outings and two goals, including key contributions that paved the way for his subsequent permanent transfer.[3]Millwall
On 28 August 2020, Mason Bennett completed a permanent transfer to Millwall from Derby County, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[26][27] This move followed a loan spell at Millwall earlier that year, during which he made 9 appearances and scored 2 goals, paving the way for the full-time switch.[25] Over the subsequent three seasons, Bennett featured in 87 Championship matches for Millwall, scoring 9 goals and providing 3 assists, while the club consistently finished in the top half of the table.[28] In his debut full campaign of 2020–21, he adapted effectively to a more prominent role in the second tier, netting 6 goals in 37 appearances—to help Millwall secure an 11th-place finish.[29] His contributions highlighted improved consistency and physicality compared to prior loan experiences, though he often operated as a versatile forward supporting the attack. Bennett's form dipped in 2021–22, where he managed 3 goals in 29 outings amid increased competition for places, yet he still played a part in key results, such as scoring in a 2–1 victory against Cardiff City in February 2022 that kept Millwall in playoff contention until the final day.[30][31] The 2022–23 season saw further limited involvement, with just 21 appearances and no goals as injuries and tactical shifts reduced his starts, coinciding with the expiry of his contract in June 2023.[32][33]Burton Albion
Bennett signed for Burton Albion on a two-year contract on 30 June 2023, joining as a free agent after his release from Millwall.[33] The move reunited him with the club where he had previously been on loan during his Derby County days, bringing his versatile forward play to a side aiming to stabilize in League One. Over two seasons from 2023 to June 2025, Bennett featured in 72 matches for Burton Albion across all competitions, scoring 6 goals (68 league appearances and 5 goals, plus 4 cup appearances and 1 goal).[3] In the 2023–24 campaign, he made 38 appearances with 4 goals, helping the team to a 20th-place finish and survival from relegation on the final day.[34] The following 2024–25 season proved tougher, with Burton finishing 20th and surviving relegation with 47 points from 11 wins, 14 draws, and 21 losses; Bennett contributed 36 appearances and 3 goals across all competitions amid the struggle. His Championship experience at Millwall offered crucial tactical insight in adapting to League One's intensity. Bennett's tenure was marked by injury setbacks that affected his consistency, including a muscle strain in August 2024 that ruled him out for up to six weeks and a hamstring problem in February 2025 requiring a return to the squad after recovery.[35][36] Despite these challenges, he showed resilience, netting important strikes such as a penalty in the season-ending defeat to Charlton Athletic in 2024–25.[37] His work rate and aerial presence added depth to Burton's attack during a period of defensive vulnerabilities and squad transitions.[38]Harrogate Town
Bennett joined Harrogate Town on 12 June 2025, signing a two-year contract with the EFL League Two club following the expiry of his deal at Burton Albion.[39] The agreement, which officially commenced on 1 July 2025, runs until 30 June 2027 and marks Bennett's return to the fourth tier after previous stints in higher divisions.[1] Upon signing, Bennett highlighted his excitement about the move, noting positive discussions with manager Simon Weaver and the club's ambition for the coming seasons.[39] Harrogate Town view the 29-year-old forward as a key addition to their attacking options, aiming to leverage his experience to enhance their competitiveness in the 2025–26 campaign, where survival and potential mid-table stability are primary goals given the club's modest budget.[40] As of November 2025, Bennett has made five appearances in League Two, accumulating 114 minutes on the pitch without recording a goal or assist, as he adapts to the demands of the division.[28] His recent League One tenure at Burton is anticipated to facilitate a smoother integration into Harrogate's squad dynamics.[39]International career
Youth international career
Bennett earned his first international recognition with England's under-16 team in 2011, making two appearances during the Victory Shield tournament. He scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland on October 13, helping secure an early win for the Young Lions, before adding a long-range strike in a 4-2 triumph against Scotland on November 25, contributing to England's overall tournament success.[41][42] These performances marked a strong start to his youth international career, with England clinching the Victory Shield title that year. Transitioning to the under-17 level in 2012, Bennett became a regular squad member through 2013, featuring in multiple tournaments and qualifiers. He scored on his under-17 debut during the St. George's Park International Tournament, netting England's opener in a 2-3 loss to Italy on August 29. Later that year, he started matches at the Algarve Tournament in February 2013, coming on as a substitute in a defeat to Portugal and starting in another group game. In March 2013, Bennett contributed to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round qualifiers, though he received a straight red card in a 1-0 win over Portugal after 40 minutes. His involvement in these fixtures, spanning friendlies, invitational events, and competitive rounds, highlighted his growing role in the setup.[43][44][45][46][47][48] Bennett's progression culminated with a call-up to the under-19 team in late 2013, where he made four appearances and scored four goals across qualifiers and a friendly. In October, during UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying Group 9, he netted once in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia on October 10, followed by a brace in a 7-0 rout of Andorra two days later, and the winner in a 1-0 victory over Switzerland on October 15. He added another goal in a 4-1 friendly victory over Hungary on November 14. These efforts helped England advance from the group stage. His development at Derby County's academy was key to these early international opportunities from 2011 to 2013.[49]Senior international career
Despite a promising youth international career where he represented England up to the under-19 level, Mason Bennett has not earned any senior caps for the England national team as of November 2025.[49] His final involvement with England youth squads came in 2013 during under-19 matches, including UEFA European Championship qualifiers.[49] Several key factors explain the absence of a senior international pathway, including recurring injuries that have frequently interrupted his consistency and progress at club level.[50] Bennett has suffered multiple setbacks, such as hamstring strains, ligament damage, and a concussion in his early professional years, which limited his availability and form during crucial development periods.[50] Additionally, intense competition for forward positions in the senior England squad—dominated by established Premier League talents—has made breakthroughs difficult for players like Bennett whose careers have primarily unfolded in the Championship and lower divisions.[4]Personal life
2019 drink-driving incident
On 24 September 2019, during his time at Derby County, Mason Bennett was involved in a car crash on the A6 near Allestree, Derby, alongside teammate Tom Lawrence.[51] The incident occurred shortly after a team-building dinner at a local pub, where Lawrence, driving one vehicle with captain Richard Keogh as a passenger, collided with Bennett's stationary car before striking street furniture; both drivers had been drinking alcohol beforehand.[52] Bennett and Lawrence initially fled the scene but returned approximately 45 minutes later, at which point they were arrested by police.[51] The crash resulted in serious injuries to Keogh, who sustained tears to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee, requiring surgery and sidelining him for up to 15 months.[53] Breath tests conducted at the scene showed Bennett had 64 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms, while Lawrence recorded 58 micrograms.[52] Both players were charged with drink-driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.[51] On 15 October 2019, at Derby Magistrates' Court, Bennett pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 180 hours of unpaid work, along with a two-year driving disqualification.[51] Lawrence received identical penalties for the same offenses, though his role as the driver carrying the injured passenger drew additional scrutiny in the proceedings.[52]Impact on career and club
Following the 2019 car crash in which Bennett was involved, Derby County imposed significant internal sanctions on him and teammate Tom Lawrence, fining each the equivalent of six weeks' wages—the maximum allowed under club rules—for bringing the club into disrepute.[54][55] This disciplinary action exacerbated squad tensions, particularly as the incident resulted in severe injuries to captain Richard Keogh, who was subsequently dismissed by the club despite his long service. Keogh pursued a successful wrongful dismissal claim against Derby, securing a £2.3 million compensation award in 2021 after an independent panel ruled the club had breached his contract by failing to support his recovery and rehabilitation.[56][57] The fallout prompted Bennett's limited involvement with Derby post-incident, as he featured in only three more first-team games before departing in 2020. However, he demonstrated personal recovery by maintaining a steady career progression through loans and transfers without any additional legal issues. In January 2020, Bennett joined Millwall on loan, where he made nine appearances and scored twice, leading to a permanent transfer that summer; he later moved to Burton Albion in 2023 and Harrogate Town on 12 June 2025, with 96 Championship appearances at Millwall.[26][33][5] The incident garnered widespread media scrutiny, tarnishing Bennett's reputation at a pivotal early-career stage and leading some observers to question his professionalism. Yet, Bennett has since cited the experience as a catalyst for growth, emphasizing lessons in focus and accountability. In a 2023 BBC interview, he reflected, "We have all done stupid things in the past and the only way you can move on is to learn from it and look forward," while advising younger players to "knuckle down and don't get drawn into all the attention... just focus on what you are paid to do." This maturation is evident in his sustained lower-league contributions, where he has prioritized on-field performance over off-field narratives.[4]Career statistics
Club statistics
Mason Bennett's club career has seen him accumulate 315 appearances and 29 goals across all competitions as of 19 November 2025.[3] His contributions are primarily in league matches, where he has recorded 275 appearances and 24 goals, with the remaining coming from domestic cups and other tournaments.[58] The following table breaks down his league appearances and goals by club:| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derby County | 2011–2020 | 72 | 4 |
| Chesterfield (loan) | 2014 | 5 | 0 |
| Bradford City (loan) | 2014 | 11 | 1 |
| Burton Albion (loan) | 2016 | 16 | 1 |
| Notts County (loan) | 2018 | 2 | 1 |
| Millwall (loan) | 2020 | 9 | 2 |
| Millwall | 2020–2023 | 87 | 9 |
| Burton Albion | 2023–2025 | 68 | 5 |
| Harrogate Town | 2025– | 5 | 0 |
| Total (league) | 275 | 24 |
International statistics
Bennett has earned no senior international caps for England. His international record is solely at youth level, where he accumulated 22 appearances and 9 goals across the U16, U17, and U19 teams. The following table summarizes his youth international statistics by age group:| Age Group | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| U16 | 2 | 3 |
| U17 | 16 | 2 |
| U19 | 4 | 4 |
| Total | 22 | 9 |