Craig Benny Image 3 Newcastle United 1948

Description

Leadgate, County Durham born right back Benny Craig played junior football for Medomsley Juniors in 1930, Leadgate in 1931, Ouston Juniors in 1932 and Eden Colliery Welfare in 1933 before joining First Division Huddersfield Town in April 1934 making his Football League debut the following month at Birmingham. He played four and a half years for The Terriers, the highlight of which was reaching the 1938 FA Cup Final which they lost 1-0 to Preston North End at Wembley Stadium.

In November 1938 after 106 appearances for The Terriers he transferred to Second Division Newcastle United for £4,000 and had played 12 matches for Newcastle by the time of the outbreak of the Second World War, playing both sides of the War for The Toon, during which he served in the Armed Forces in South Africa and Italy, before returning to St James’ Park in 1946. He helped Newcastle United win promotion to the First Division as Second Division runners up in 1947-48, making 27 appearances during the campaign, before retiring in July 1950 after 70 appearances in total for The Toon.

He became a trainer with Newcastle United and remained on the groundstaff at St James’ Park for the next two decades, and among other accomplishments he led United’s juniors, with a team including Bobby Moncur, David Craig and Alan Suddick to triumph in the 1962 FA Youth Cup.