Bob Benson

Robert William Benson (9 February 1883 – 19 February 1916) was an English professional footballer, who played as a full back. Born in Whitehaven, Cumberland, he spent the majority of his professional career with Sheffield United but also had spells with Southampton and Woolwich Arsenal. He gained a solitary England cap in 1913 as well as representing The Football League and undertaking an FA tour of South Africa but died as a result of playing a football match in 1916.

Club career

Newcastle United Benson had worked as a coal-miner whilst playing for various local clubs in and around Whitehaven where he was born, including Swalwell, where he was spotted by Newcastle United and signed as a professional in December 1902. Competition for places restricted him to just a single appearance for the club, on 7 March 1903.

Southampton Soon after the start of the 1904–05 season, the Southampton directors were trying to recruit a right-back following the departure of Tom Robertson in the summer. Joe Hoare had been tried but was now past his prime, so the directors sent a club official to the north east to hunt for a player. The official's quest took him to Newcastle, where he interviewed Benson and, after agreeing a fee of £150 with the Magpies, the official returned "triumphantly" to the south coast with his "catch".

Benson made his Southampton debut on 1 October 1904, in a 1–1 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Benson's form was immediately impressive; described as "big and bold", he was a terror to opposition forwards, "snuffing out their moves with his sense of anticipation". However, this method of penalty-taking was not a success, never actually converting any of the penalties he took in his year with the "Saints". He spent eight seasons at Bramall Lane, cementing himself in the defence where he developed into a strong tackler and was commanding in the air. He kept in touch with his old club and on 19 February 1916 attended a London Combination match at Highbury against Reading. With his former teammate Joe Shaw unable to make the game, Benson volunteered to take his place, which ultimately had fatal consequences. Having not played a game for nearly a year, Benson was not match-fit. He collapsed on the pitch in the second half and had to be taken off; soon afterwards he died in the Highbury changing rooms, in the arms of team trainer George Hardy.

It was later determined he had died of a burst blood vessel, from a long-standing medical condition. Benson was buried wearing his Arsenal shirt. Three months later, Arsenal held a testimonial match in his honour, against a Rest of London XI, with the proceeds going to his widow; over 5,000 attended to pay their respects.

International career His form at Sheffield United brought him to the notice of the Football Association and in 1910 he was a member of the FA touring party to South Africa, as well as representing the Football League on one occasion. He received his solitary cap for England on 15 February 1913 when he played at left-back against Ireland, when England lost 2–1, with both Irish goals coming from Benson's Sheffield United teammate Billy Gillespie.