Dave Bennett (footballer, born 1959)

David Anthony Bennett (born 11 July 1959) is an English former Association football player. He is most famous for playing in two FA Cup Finals; 1981 for Manchester City, when he finished on the losing side, and 1987, when he produced a Man of the Match performance as Coventry City beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2.

Playing career

Bennett was born in Manchester and began his playing career with Manchester City, making his first senior appearance for them in the 1978–79 season and becoming a first team regular the following season. He was on the losing side to Tottenham Hotspur as City lost the 1981 FA Cup Final replay 3–2 after drawing 1–1 in the original game, and had scored seven times in the First Division that season.

In September 1981, he was surprisingly sold to Third Division side Cardiff City, and in his second season helping them win promotion to the Second Division. In two seasons at Ninian Park, he played 77 league games and scored 18 goals.

In July 1983, he returned to the First Division in a move to Coventry City. Five strong seasons followed, capped by an FA Cup winner's medal in 1987 when he scored in a man of the match performance for the Sky Blues as they achieved a shock 3–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. He also supplied the cross for Keith Houchen's classic headed goal.