Mason Bennett’s gratitude to Millwall for handing him a “restart” in his career

Mason Bennett has talked about how his move to Millwall was a “restart” for his career.

The 26-year-old signed a permanent deal in August 2020 after spending the second half of the previous season on loan in SE16.

Bennett was just 15 years and 99 days old when he made his debut for Derby County in 2011 to become their youngest-ever player.

He made 89 appearances for the Rams before he was cleared to leave.

Bennett is just six matches away from a century for Millwall. He told the South London Press: “I just roll out and try to play as many as I can.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here. It has been a real restart to my career, which I needed. Everyone has been so welcoming. Shaun Williams, Jed Wallace, Hutchy [Shaun Hutchinson], Coops [Jake Cooper] and [George] Saville have all been great with me.

“It is tough to leave your family when they live three-and-a-half hours away to come and pursue your career but it’s a great environment to be in.

“I worked with the gaffer at Derby. I was in the dark there and he gave me the opportunity to come in, probably because he had seen what I had about me – the work-rate and training I put in at Derby.

“I was up in the air at Derby and it was a great coup for him to get me in, I can’t be more grateful and thankful for that opportunity.”

Bennett is still waiting for his first goal of the season but caused plenty of problems for Wigan right-back Tendayi Darikwa last weekend. The Latics defender was booked early in the second half with the Lions attacker also setting up two excellent chances that were not finished by Andreas Voglsammer and Billy Mitchell.

“I always demand more from myself but I could say I was trying to do the right things,” said Bennett. “My instructions before the game were to get at the full-back at every opportunity. I’d played with Tendayi before. I know his strengths and weaknesses from being at Chesterfield.

“It was nice to be back out there, the last game I started was Birmingham. I’ll always keep my head down if I’m not in the side and wait for my next opportunity.”