Francis Vincent Benali was born on 30 December 1968 and is an English football coach and former professional player.
16 Facts About Francis Benali
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Francis Benali was named as one of "Southampton's Cult Heroes," in a book by Jeremy Wilson in October 2006.
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Francis Benali played for Nottingham Forest on loan in 2001 and later finished his career with a two-year spell at non-league side Eastleigh.
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Francis Benali is noted for his charity work and co-founded a football management agency with former team mate Matt Le Tissier.
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Francis Benali was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to cancer patients in the UK.
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Francis Benali played for Winsor United in the Southampton Tyro League.
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Francis Benali was selected to represent Southampton and Hampshire Schools, and progressed to the England schoolboy team, scoring on his debut against Northern Ireland and making nine appearances at this level.
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Francis Benali soon became a mainstay in the Saints team, going on to make a total of 389 appearances for the club, including 243 Premier League appearances.
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In July 2003, Francis Benali joined the coaching staff at St Mary's and took charge of the under-12 side at the Academy.
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Francis Benali had a two-year spell coaching at Romsey Town first coaching his son Luke in the under-18s before managing the club's reserve side.
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Francis Benali was awarded the Just Giving Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year award in September 2015.
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In October 2016, Francis Benali completed another ultra-challenge, running and cycling to all 44 Premier League and Championship stadiums in 2 weeks.
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Francis Benali was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to cancer patients in the UK.
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Francis Benali is an ambassador for Southampton FC's charity Saints Foundation, alongside his daughter Kenzie Benali.
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Francis Benali is an ambassador for the Saints Disabled Supporters' Association.
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In 2016, Francis Benali was one of four founders of 73 Management, a football management agency, again along with ex-teammate Le Tissier.