Rhys Bennett speaks about loss of his father mental health and suicide prevention in brave interview

Rhys also tells us that the memory of his father will drive him on for the rest of his footballing career.

Bennett captained United to glory in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final and has since got his first taste of senior football with loan spells at Stockport County and Fleetwood Town. Through it all, he’s done his dad proud, and will continue to do so.

“I think, honestly, when you come into something like this, it’s not just one month on, one month off. It’s not just like here and there, it is like a full life commitment. I know it’s such a cliche thing to say, but I wouldn’t be here without him and also my mum.

“It’s not possible for me at six, seven, eight, nine years old to drive myself to training, to take me here, there and everywhere, to the late nights, it’s impossible. You can’t do it without them.

“Even when you get a bit older, just knowing that they’re still there, through any success, through the bad times. He was there for me through no matter what, always told me how proud he was. And, for me, that always drives you on. 

“But then obviously now you have even more of a purpose because you think he’s never going to be any less proud of what you’ve achieved, and it just makes you want to go and achieve more.”