33 Facts About Mal Benning

Malvind Singh Benning was born on 2 November 1993 and is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League One club Shrewsbury Town.

Mal Benning made his debut in the English Football League at Walsall in November 2012 and went on to feature 53 times in total before signing with Mansfield Town in May 2015.

Mal Benning spent six seasons with Mansfield, making 251 appearances in all competitions.

Mal Benning signed with Port Vale in June 2021 and helped the club to win promotion out of League Two via the play-offs in 2022.

Mal Benning, whose parents are Indian Sikhs, was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands.

Mal Benning was named on Kick It Out's new advisory board in June 2021; Benning had been targeted for racist abuse on Twitter in January 2020, which was reported to the police by the Professional Footballers' Association.

However, Mal Benning stated that other than that he had "not experienced much 'racism' as one of very few Asian players in the professional game".

Mal Benning started his career with Walsall, progressing through the youth system from the under-8 side.

Mal Benning played as a midfielder before gaining weight and being moved to left-back in his early teenage years.

Mal Benning signed his first professional contract, of two and a half years, in January 2013.

Mal Benning was played mainly at right-back in his early career, keeping the experienced Ben Purkiss out of the team.

Mal Benning joined League Two club York City on 22 January 2015 on a one-month loan, with manager Russ Wilcox looking to provide competition for the ever-present Femi Ilesanmi.

Mal Benning signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on 22 May 2015.

Mal Benning suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in October 2015 and was out of action for four months; he tested his recovery from the injury by tackling a brick wall.

Mal Benning signed a new contract of undisclosed length in May 2016, having scored four goals from 33 games.

Mal Benning signed a new one-year contract in February 2018.

Mal Benning adapted well to the new manager's wing-back system and after he increased his running statistics towards the end of the season credited Flitcroft's work ethic in training for his improved fitness levels.

Mansfield finished in fourth place but were beaten on penalties by Newport County in the semi-finals of the play-offs despite Mal Benning converting his penalty.

Flitcroft was sacked after the defeat, though Mal Benning said that he was ready to focus on football again after returning from holiday in Mexico and that he and the rest of the squad had had positive meetings with new manager John Dempster.

Mal Benning stated that "one massive regret is to not have been able to help get the club promoted"; he was the 18th highest appearance maker in the club's history at the time of his departure.

On 28 June 2021, Mal Benning agreed a one-year contract with Port Vale, to begin on 1 July; he was signed to compete with fellow new arrival Dan Jones.

Mal Benning signed a new one-year contract in June 2022.

Mal Benning did though lose his first-team place to Sammy Robinson as the club's form tailed off in the second half of the campaign.

Mal Benning's stay with the club was automatically extended by a year after he triggered an appearance-based clause.

On 3 August 2023, Mal Benning joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a one-year deal.

Mal Benning was voted as Shrewsbury's Player of the Month for January 2024.

Mal Benning was initially in and out of the first XI under Matthew Taylor before establishing himself as a regular starter under new manager Paul Hurst.

Mal Benning was named as the club's Player of the Month for January 2024 and impressed Hurst with his link-up play with midfielder Jordan Shipley.

Mal Benning signed a new two-year deal in May 2024 after settling in well following a slow start at the New Meadow.

Mal Benning scored his first goal in over a year in unusual circumstances when his 60-yard free-kick bounced over Blackpool goalkeeper Harry Tyrer on 4 December 2024.

Mal Benning stated his desire to represent the India national team in August 2015, but said he was unable to as the nation's strict rules on eligibility meant he would have first to give up his British passport and get an Indian passport.

Mal Benning is an attacking left-back, who is able to play at left wing-back.

Mal Benning has pace and good crossing ability, boasting good free kick and volleying skills.