Justin Bennett, a renowned figure in non-league football, has reached a significant personal milestone by scoring the 700th goal of his career at the age of 44, despite having initially retired four years ago.

Bennett, who has played for clubs including Andover, Gosport Borough, Oxford City, and Salisbury, achieved this landmark while playing for Shrewton United in the Wiltshire Premier League. The milestone came during Shrewton United's 8-2 victory over Bradford Town reserves last weekend, with Bennett's wife Claire and their daughters, Chloe and Naomi, in attendance.

Reflecting on his current form, Bennett acknowledged feeling less sharp this season but noted a recent period of improved performance. “At age 44, I’ve felt not as sharp as I used to be, but I hit a bit of a purple patch,” he said. He detailed scoring twice in a midweek game before netting the milestone goal.

Bennett’s career has been marked by longevity and consistent goal-scoring. He was a key player for Gosport Borough during their run to the FA Trophy final in 2014 and initially retired in 2022 after helping Bemerton Heath Harlequins secure the Wessex League Division One title with 55 goals that season. However, he has come out of retirement multiple times since then to assist various clubs.

“I was nearly 40, happy to have retired after winning the league with Bemerton Heath Harlequins, but I kept getting calls to help out,” Bennett explained. He recounted returning to play for Laverstock & Ford when the club needed goals, then moving on to Whitchurch to help them avoid relegation, and eventually joining Shrewton United at the suggestion of a former teammate.

Bennett described playing in the Wiltshire Premier League as a less intense environment compared to higher levels, allowing him to enjoy the game within a close-knit group. He also revealed that he decided to continue playing after realizing he needed just eight goals to reach the 700-goal mark, an achievement he felt compelled to complete given his self-described obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Throughout his career, Bennett scored exactly 200 goals for Andover and holds the record at Gosport Borough with 263 goals. He reached the 500-goal milestone while at Salisbury and has amassed numerous notable highlights on the pitch, including an overhead kick in a Southern League play-off semi-final and a volley against Bridgwater.

Despite his scoring credentials, Bennett said he has no plans to coach men’s football but is actively involved in coaching at the junior level. He currently coaches his daughter Chloe’s team, Amesbury Junior Gladiators, and enjoys this role. His daughters have also engaged with his playing career, having served as mascots on occasion.

Bennett recounted a lighthearted moment following his milestone goal, noting his daughters’ reactions. “Chloe is football mad and getting quite good,” he said. “When I scored the 700th, I asked if she saw it, and she said she was busy playing.”

With his family by his side and his scoring record continuing to grow, Justin Bennett’s career stands as a testament to enduring passion and dedication to the game at the non-league level.