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Fullname: Alexander Bennett
aka: Alec Bennett
Born: October 20th 1881
Birthplace: Not Known
Signed: April 21 1903
Position: Forward
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 11 in total, 3 with Celtic (other international caps with Rangers)

Biog

A member of arguably Celtic’s greatest ever forward line (Bennett, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers and Hamilton),Alec joined Celtic from Ruthergien Glencairn in 1903 and renewed his outstanding attacking partnership with Jimmy McMenemy, which had been so rewarding for the junior side.

Slight in build, Bennett created havoc in the final third of the pitch with an array of attributes which included great speed and trickery on the ball allied with an ability to score important goals. Initially a centre forward, he made way for Jimmy Quinn and moved out on to the wing, where he became an elusive and often brilliant outside right.

Bennett certainly set the heather on fire, and after being a hat—trick hero as the Celts walloped St Mirren 5—2 in the Glasgow Charity Cup final of 1903,Alec made his international debut for Scotland during his first full season at Parkhead (a 1—1 draw against Wales in Dundee on 12 March 1904).

He won four Championship medals with Celtic (1905—08) and two Scottish Cup winner’s medals (1907, 1908), before joining Rangers as a free agent under an agreement of a L50 release clause.

Adored by the Celtic supporters, one fan penetrated the pavilion, enquired which were Bennett’s boots and began to extract the laces. He winked to ‘Icicle’ McNair and proclaimed ‘I’ll keep these. Just a wee souvenir.’

Bennett won further honours with the Ibrox club, received eleven Scotland caps and also represented the Scottish League on ten occasions. During the First World War he played for Dumbarton and ended his playing career at Albion Rovers in 1920/21. Alec subsequently managed Third Lanark and Clydebank and wrote a column for the Daily Record. He died on 9 January 1940, aged fifty-eight. His grandson, Sandy Carmichael, was a famous Scotland rugby international.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES	LEAGUE	SCOTTISH CUP	LEAGUE CUP	EUROPE	TOTAL
1903-08	126	26	n/a	n/a	152

Honours with Celtic

Scottish Division 1

• 1904-05
• 1905-06
• 1906-07
• 1907-08

Scottish Cup

• 1906-07
• 1907-08

Pictures

• Picture Gallery

Articles

The Scotsman - Friday, 5th June 1908, page 5

Scottish Football Association
The Celtic Football Club Complaint.
At a meeting of the Scottish Football Association, held last Thursday, a Special Commission was appointed to make inquiry into a complaint from the Celtic Football Club regarding the signing on of Alexander Bennett, one of their last season’s players, for the Rangers. This Commission met last evening – Mr John Liddell presiding. It will be remembered that the Celtic in their letter of complaint stated that when on the 20th April, they asked Bennett to sign on with them for the coming season, he refused, and said that it would be ridiculous for him to expect from them such a big offer as he had been given by another club. Subsequently on May 9th, he signed on with the Rangers. The Celtic appealed for the Commission to inquire with the view of finding what club had made an offer to Bennett in April, thus violating the rules applicable to the close season. Last evening the following parties were examined :- For the Celtic – W. Maley, M. Dunbar, T. Colgan, J. Kelly, and the player Bennett; for the Rangers – W. Wilton, secretary. Ultimately it was found not proved that Bennett had been approached by any other club than the Celtic during the month of April.