Reuben Bennett

Reuben Bennett (December 1913 – December 1989) from Aberdeen was a former Scottish professional goalkeeper with Hull City, Queen of the South, Dundee and Elgin City. He was then manager of Ayr United and a founder member of the Boot Room coaching staff at Liverpool.

In Bennett's playing days he was a goalkeeper with Hull City and Dumfries club Queen of the South. After his war service he joined Dundee where in three seasons from 1946 to 1949 he made 21 league appearances. Among his Dundee club mates was Bobby Ancell. Bennett then moved to Elgin City.

After retiring as a player he was manager with Ayr United from May 1953 to 9 April 1955. Coaching was his strength but he was not cut out for management and season 1954–55 was punctuated by some demoralising results. Despite his two cup quarter final places, his team also squandered two good promotion chances after mediocre league performances and he left as manager in April 1955. After resigning he later became assistant trainer for Bobby Ancell at Motherwell then trainer at Third Lanark.

Bennett joined Liverpool's coaching staff when Phil Taylor was team manager. However Taylor resigned on 17 November 1959. In December Taylor's replacement was announced as Bill Shankly who immediately set about rejuvenating the club with relish. Shankly arrived at a decayed club in stagnation but recognised the strength of the existing coaching staff of Bennett, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. Shankly elected to retain all three with Bennett staying on board until the 70s. Shankly started holding his coaches meetings in the Anfield boot room. In this informal environment, between them they discussed tactics and plans, during which time Bennett was referred to as Sherlock, due to his preferred choice of headwear, a deer stalker. Thus the management philosophy behind Liverpool's success over the next three decades was born. A fitness fanatic, at Liverpool Bennett was entrusted by Shankly with responsibility for player training and physical condition.

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