Francis Benali
MBE
Personal information
Full name Francis Vincent Benali[1]
Date of birth (1968-12-30) 30 December 1968 (age 55)[1]
Place of birth Southampton,[1] England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
1985–1988 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–2004 Southampton 311 (1)
2001 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 15 (0)
2006–2008 Eastleigh 22 (0)
Total 348 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Francis Vincent Benali MBE (born 30 December 1968) is an English football coach and former professional player.

As a player, he was a full back who notably spent most of his career in the Premier League with Southampton, during a sixteen-year spell he notched up a total of 373 appearances in all competitions, scoring just once. He was named as one of "Southampton's Cult Heroes," in a book by Jeremy Wilson in October 2006.[3] He also played for Nottingham Forest on loan in 2001 and later finished his career with a two-year spell at non-league side Eastleigh.

Following his retirement, Benali has coached at Southampton's academy as well as with semi-professional side Romsey Town. He is also noted for his charity work and co-founded a football management agency with former team mate Matt Le Tissier. Benali was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to cancer patients in the UK.[4][5][6]

Playing career

Benali was born in Southampton and attended Bellemoor School.[7] He played for Winsor United in the Southampton Tyro League. At this level he was playing as a forward and was a prolific goal-scorer, being an early developer and quicker and stronger than most footballers of his age. He was selected to represent Southampton and Hampshire Schools, and progressed to the England schoolboy team, scoring on his debut against Northern Ireland and making nine appearances at this level.[8]

Benali made his first team debut on 1 October 1988, coming off the bench against Derby County, in a 0–0 draw at The Dell.[9] His first start came soon after on 25 October 1988 at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–1 win.[10] He soon became a mainstay in the Saints team, going on to make a total of 389 appearances for the club, including 243 Premier League appearances.[11] His only FA Premier League goal came on 13 December 1997 with a header from a Matthew Le Tissier free-kick against Leicester City at The Dell.[12]

After losing his first-team place to Wayne Bridge, in January 2003, Benali returned to the starting line-up making two league appearances against Sunderland[13] and Manchester United[14] as well as two in the FA Cup against Millwall. Although Benali did not appear in the FA Cup Final on 17 May 2003, he was awarded a runners-up medal for his two appearances in Round 4. The replay against Millwall turned out to be his final competitive appearance for Southampton.[15]

His final appearance in the Southampton first-team came as a substitute in the inaugural Ted Bates trophy match in January 2004 against Bayern Munich.[16]

Coaching career

In July 2003, Benali joined the coaching staff at St. Mary's and took charge of the under-12 side at the Academy.[17]

On the departure of manager Harry Redknapp in December 2005, Benali and Matthew Le Tissier put themselves forward as joint candidates for the vacant position, but were not interviewed by chairman Rupert Lowe.[18]

Benali had a two-year spell coaching at Romsey Town first coaching his son Luke in the under-18s before managing the club's reserve side.[19]

Charitable activities

In August/September 2014, Benali completed a three-week 1,000-mile (1,600 km) challenge running to all 20 Premier League grounds, raising in excess of £100,000 for the charity Cancer Research UK.[20] As a result, he became the first recipient to be awarded with the Spirit of the Game award in December 2014.[21] He was also awarded the Just Giving Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year award in September 2015.[22]

In October 2016, Benali completed another ultra-challenge, running and cycling to all 44 Premier League and Championship stadiums in 2 weeks. He ran a marathon and cycled 75 miles each day and in the process raised over £350,000 for Cancer Research UK.[23] Following this, he was awarded the freedom of the city of Southampton.[24]

In April 2019 it was announced that Benali would race seven Ironmans in seven days, as part of his aim to raise £1million for Cancer Research UK.[25] Despite being hospitalised,[26] Benali completed five Ironmans, raising £1million.[27]

Benali was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to cancer patients in the UK.[28][29][30]

Benali has been a patron of the following charities:

He is also an ambassador for Southampton FC's charity Saints Foundation, alongside his daughter Kenzie Benali.[33]

He is also an ambassador for the Saints Disabled Supporters' Association.[34]

Media career

Alongside his charitable activities, Benali has worked as a pundit and commentator, mainly on Southampton matches.[35] In November 2023, he joined the Southern Daily Echo as a weekly columnist.[35]

Personal life

He is the father of television presenter, event host and blogger Kenzie Benali, [36] and Luke Benali, who briefly played non-league football for Winchester City during the 2015–16 season.[37]

Benali, alongside Matt Le Tissier was the founder in October 2003 of the True Greats website.[38]

In 2016, Benali was one of four founders of 73 Management, a football management agency, again along with ex-teammate Le Tissier.[39]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition [40] [41] [42] [43]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Southampton
1988-89 First Division 7 0 0 0 2 0 — 9 0
1989-90 First Division 27 0 3 0 6 0 — 36 0
1990-91 First Division 12 0 2 0 3 0 — 17 0
1991-92 First Division 22 0 6 0 0 0 1[a] 0 29 0
1992-93 Premier League 33 0 1 0 3 0 — 37 0
1993-94 Premier League 37 0 1 0 2 0 — 40 0
1994-95 Premier League 35 0 4 0 3 0 — 42 0
1995-96 Premier League 29 0 1 0 4 0 — 34 0
1996-97 Premier League 18 0 1 0 0 0 — 19 0
1997-98 Premier League 33 1 1 0 3 0 — 37 1
1998-99 Premier League 23 0 0 0 2 0 — 25 0
1999-2000 Premier League 26 0 1 0 3 0 — 30 0
2000-01 Premier League 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 0
2001-02 Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
2002-03 Premier League 2 0 2 0 0 0 — 4 0
Total 311 1 23 0 31 0 1 0 366 1
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2000-01 First Division 15 0 0 0 0 0 — 15 0
Eastleigh 2006-07 Conference South 22 0 0 0 — — 22 0
Career total 348 1 23 0 31 0 1 0 403 1
  1. ^ Appearance in Full Members' Cup Final

Honours

Southampton

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "Francis Benali". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  2. ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 336. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. ^ Wilson, Jeremy (19 October 2006). Southampton's Cult Heroes: Saints' 20 Greatest Icons. ASIN 1905449011.
  4. ^ "No. 62866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 2019. p. N16.
  5. ^ "New Year Honours: Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and Baroness Sue Campbell recognised". BBC Sport. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  6. ^ Yandell, Chris (27 December 2019). "Francis Benali made an MBE after netting huge amount for Cancer Research UK". Daily Echo. Southampton. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  7. ^ Kusi-Obodum, Maxwell (17 November 2016). "Saints legend Franny 'honoured' to be given Freedom of the City of Southampton". Daily Echo. Southampton. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Francis Benali". The Saints Hub. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Thesaintshub.com". www.thesaintshub.com.
  10. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton, 25 October 1988". 11v11.com.
  11. ^ "Francis Benali Profile, News & Stats - Premier League". www.premierleague.com.
  12. ^ Houston, Bob (13 December 1997). "Benali's goal surprise". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  13. ^ Stewart, Rob (28 January 2003). "Beattie stays cool as Sunderland feel heat". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  14. ^ "Man Utd see off Saints". BBC. 1 February 2003. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  15. ^ "Saints tame Lions". BBC. 5 February 2003. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  16. ^ "SAINTS 1 - BAYERN MUNICH 1 (From Daily Echo)". Dailyecho.co.uk. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  17. ^ [1] Archived 27 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Sky Sports - the Best Sport Coverage from Around the World". Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2006.
  19. ^ "About Francis Benali". francisbenali.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Francis Benali's completes 1,000-mile stadium challenge". BBC News. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  21. ^ Simpson, Gordon (20 December 2014). "Francis Benali awarded Barclays Spirit of the Game award". Daily Echo. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  22. ^ a b Marrins, Kirsty (24 September 2015). "Announcing the JustGiving Award 2015 winners". justgiving.com. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Francis Benali completes stadium running and cycling challenge". BBC News. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Ex-footballer Francis Benali granted freedom of Southampton". BBC News. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  25. ^ Falkingham, Katie (17 April 2019). "Francis Benali: Ex-Southampton defender to race seven Ironmans in seven days". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  26. ^ "Ex-Southampton footballer halts Ironman challenge again". BBC News. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  27. ^ "Ex-footballer Francis Benali hits £1m fundraising goal". BBC News. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  28. ^ "No. 62866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 2019. p. N16.
  29. ^ "New Year Honours: Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and Baroness Sue Campbell recognised". BBC Sport. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  30. ^ Yandell, Chris (27 December 2019). "Francis Benali made an MBE after netting huge amount for Cancer Research UK". Daily Echo. Southampton. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  31. ^ "Our patrons". Children's Fire & Burn Trust. 30 January 2006. Archived from the original on 10 October 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Dave Wellman Cancer Trust". Tina Wellman-Hawke. 1 April 2000. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  33. ^ Sheldon, Dan (12 June 2020). "Franny and Kenzie Benali named Saints Foundation ambassadors". Daily Echo. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Franny Benali MBE". Saints DSA. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  35. ^ a b Rees-Julian, George (17 November 2023). "Southampton legend Franny Benali joins Echo team as columnist". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Kenzie Benali adding to her families sporting ties on the South Coast". Daily Mirror. 18 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Luke Benali Profile | Aylesbury United FC".
  38. ^ "truegreats.com". truegreats.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  39. ^ "73 Management". 73 Management. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  40. ^ "Francis Benali career appearances". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  41. ^ "Francis Benali career appearances". premierleague.com. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  42. ^ "Francis Benali career appearances". 11v11.com. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  43. ^ Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. p. 301. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  44. ^ Holley & Chalk 2003, p. 301.
  45. ^ Chalk & Holley 2013, p. 248.
  46. ^ Simpson, Gordon (20 December 2014). "Francis Benali awarded Barclays Spirit of the Game award". Daily Echo. Southampton. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  47. ^ Morris, Felix (7 July 2016). "Saints legends Lawrie McMenemy and Francis Benali to receive honorary degrees from Southampton Solent University". Daily Echo. Southampton. Retrieved 24 November 2016.

Bibliography

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