Don (front row, third from the left) with the 1986 England men’s training squad which travelled to the World Championships in Toronto, Canada.
England Lacrosse are deeply saddened to hear of the death of former England men’s player and Team Manager as well as long-time supporter of lacrosse, Don Bennett, at the age of 90.
Affectionately known as ‘Dandy’ Don on account of him always being very smartly dressed, Don first played for England in the 1950s and 1960s and eventually became Team Manager in the aftermath of the 1982 World Lacrosse Championships in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
During his tenure, Don managed the England men’s squad that took part in the international lacrosse tournament which ran alongside the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984 as well as the squads that competed in the 1986 and 1990 World Championships in Toronto, Canada, and Perth, Australia, respectively.
Away from lacrosse, Don was a successful businessman, becoming Managing Director and owner of Hills Biscuits that, perhaps unsurprisingly, made biscuits, and, during his stint as England men’s Team Manager, allowed the English Lacrosse Union as it once was (which looked after men's lacrosse in England) to use office and equipment storage space at the factory premises of the biscuit company in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester.
In 2011, and after 30 years at the helm, Don stepped down as Chairman of Hills Biscuits and the company remained in the Bennett family, under the watchful eyes of Don’s sons, Rob and Paul, until 2017.
Don’s local club was Poynton Lacrosse Club where both his sons played; Rob was an accomplished player who was forced to retire early from the game due to injury, while Paul played for many years as a defender.
Current National Team Director of the England Women’s National Squad and Great Britain 6-a-side Head Coach, Phil Collier, was fortunate enough to play for England while Don was Team Manager and eventually became Assistant Coach during his tenure in 1990, working under Mike Roberts as Head Coach, and he can’t speak highly enough of Don.
“I’m really sorry to hear the news of Don Bennett’s death; he was a good guy and the best England Manager I had the pleasure of playing under.
“He had a lovely calm manner of dealing with people and situations, always staying positive and trying to see the best way forwards.
“My memories of playing for and working with Don are very special and ones that I will always treasure and I am very grateful to him for his wise council, support and advice during those years.”
The thoughts of England Lacrosse are with Don’s family at this sad time.
Article image includes: (Back row) Martin Clark, Danny Roden, Shawn Moran, Pete Collins, Shawn Ring, Geoff Monkley, Marcus Sandy, John Baron, Peter Condron, Phil Collier. (Middle row) Brian Costello (Coach), Rick Summers, Jack Simpson, Malcom Gosney, Greg Story, Paul Skarratt, Andy Hiller, Keith Gosney, Simon Tarpey, John Bardsley (Head Coach). (Front row) Joe Gold, Pat Moore, Don Bennett (Team Manager), Paul Everard, James Lord, Mark Coups, Terry Underwood, Dave Elwood, Graham Lester (Referee)