My name is Ian Benjamin; I left school at the age of 16 to go into the professional game with Sheffield United. I made my debut for Sheffield at the age of 17 at Cardiff City coming on as a second half substitute. I made my full debut against Leicester City scoring two penalties in a 2 – 2 draw. In the summer of 1979 I was transferred to West Bromwich Albion for a record £140.000. A record for a 1
7 year old at the time. I made my full debut at Leeds United at the end of my second season for WBA. I then played for Notts County, Peterborough, Northampton, Cambridge, Chester, Exeter, Southend, Luton Brentford and Wigan in a career spanning 20 years. I also was an under 18 international playing 4 times for the England youth team in the old Yugoslavia. I then played for Kettering and Chelmsford amongst others in the non league and managed and coached in the non league, as well as coaching the under 14’s for Northampton Town, gaining 2 year contracts for 16 out of the 18 players in the Squad that season. I am starting a soccer school in the Kettering area and I am looking for children who would be interested in joining my school, which will be held at the Kettering Leisure village Astro turf Arena. I am looking for children from the age of 5 to 13, although I would consider younger children after assessment of their abilities. My aim will be to help and guide through coaching by myself and my staff to improve the young players with a program designed to improve them, not just as young footballers but also to help them develop in everyday life and how to be part of a team. My aim will be to get these young lads to improve through enjoyment of the sessions and hoping that through the enjoyment they will express themselves, giving them more confidence. My coaches are all qualified and insured , first aid trained , CRB checked and have all taken child protection courses.
