Reuben Mitchell Bennett, a proud Aberdonian, a goalkeeper of some repute and an outstanding coach, lived an extraordinarily full life and played a significant role in Liverpool’s success during those glory years, and he fully merits his place in the catalogue of coaching icons produced by Scotland in the post-war era.
Born in December 1913, Reuben served an apprenticeship as a butcher before beginning his football career with junior side Aberdeen East End. He went on to appear for Hull City, Queen of the South and Dundee, but his playing career was interrupted by serious injuries to both his knee and his shoulder and the small matter of World War II.