Gary Bennett Biography

Gary Bennett was one of the first players to get involved with the SRtRC campaign having been interviewed for the very first film made by the campaign in 1996. Gary had played for Sunderland AFC for eleven years and had been the club captain, making 457 appearances. When he joined Sunderland in 1984 he was one of only two black players at the club and there were very few black people living in the area. Unfortunately, this meant that Gary experienced racism both on and off the pitch.

Gary began his career with Manchester City, having been born in Manchester, before joining Cardiff City. It was from Cardiff that joined Sunderland, re-uniting his former manager, Len Ashurst. After leaving Sunderland Gary joined Carlisle United, Scarborough and then Darlington, who he went on to manage for two years after his playing career finished.

Following his first interview for the SRtRC film, Gary attended many SRtRC events to help educate young people against racism. In 2003 SRtRC was fortunate enough to be able to welcome Gary to the team, he agreed to join us in visits to schools all over the North East, providing football coaching for young people of all ages and abilities and taking part in anti-racism workshops in schools. SRtRC’s Community Education team now delivers anti-racist education and football coaching in up to 150 schools per year in the North East. Gary is the head coach and has been joined by other former professionals and Honorary Patrons, John Anderson, Dean Gordon and Curtis Fleming. He was inducted in to the SRtRC Hall of Fame in 2004.