STAN Bennett gave Walsall tremendous service for 15 years during which time he chalked up more than 450 senior appearances as a centre-half.

He joined the club as a lad in 1959 and remained at Fellows Park until his retirement from the first-class game in 1974. He eventually took over from the former England International, Trevor Smith, in the heart of The Saddlers' defence, having made his League debut at Notts County in October 1963.

Bennett skippered the Aston Boys team and the Birmingham County Schools XI, and at that time wanted to play on the wing. But he chose to defend rather than attack and became one of the great stalwarts of Walsall FC.

He is related to Martyn Bennett who played in a similar defensive position for West Bromwich Albion between 1979 and 1990.

Still following the fortunes of Walsall FC, he lives in Wiltshire in the beautifully-named Saddlers Barn.