Graham Benstead


Graham Mark Benstead is a retired professional football goalkeeper who made over 110 appearances in the Football League for Brentford. He also played league football for Sheffield United, Colchester United, Norwich City and was capped by England at youth and semi-pro level. Benstead is currently goalkeeping coach at Frimley Green.

Club career

Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City (1981–1988)

A goalkeeper, Benstead began his career as a part-time player at Wimbledon and then entered the youth system at Queens Park Rangers. He signed his first professional contract in 1981. He had to wait until 8 January 1983 to make what would be his only appearance for the club, which came with a start in a 3–2 FA Cup third round defeat to West Bromwich Albion. After a loan spell with Norwich City late in the 1984–85 season, Benstead joined the newly relegated Second Division club at the end of the campaign for an initial £10,000 fee, with up to £35,000 in add-ons.
After promotion straight back to the First Division in 1985–86 and in the face of competition from new £100,000 signing Bryan Gunn, Benstead began the 1986–87 season as Norwich City's first-choice goalkeeper, but a shoulder injury suffered in November 1986 effectively ended his Carrow Road career. After loan spells with Colchester United and Sheffield United, he joined the latter club on a permanent contract for a £35,000 fee in 1988.

Sheffield United and Brentford (1988–1993)

Benstead was a regular for Sheffield United during the 1988–89 season, at the end of which the club celebrated promotion to the Second Division after a second-place finish.Non-league football and return to Brentford (1993–1997)Benstead's 18 months with Conference club Kettering ended with second and sixth-place finishes respectively and he dropped down to the Southern League Premier Division to move to Northamptonshire rivals Rushden & Diamonds in June 1995.Return to non-league football (1997–2004)Benstead joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Basingstoke Town in 1998 and wound down his career with spells at Chertsey Town, Farnborough Town and Stevenage Borough.

International career

Benstead was capped by England youth and won three caps for England Semi-Pro.

Coaching career

Benstead has worked as a goalkeeping coach at Brentford, Basingstoke Town, Chertsey Town, Farnborough Town, Stevenage Borough and Frimley Green. He served as caretaker manager of Farnborough Town for one match and in 2004 was assistant to manager Graham Westley at Stevenage Borough.

Personal life

Benstead works as a self-employed painter and decorator.

Honours

;Sheffield United
;Brentford
Rushden & Diamonds
Individual
  • Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: 1990–91
  • Brentford Players' Player of the Year: 1990–91

    Career statistics