Benni Smales-Braithwaite

Benni Smales-Braithwaite
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-04-29) 29 April 2002 (age 22)
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Stalybridge Celtic
Youth career
Manchester City
2018–2021 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Southampton 0 (0)
2021 → Gloucester City (loan) 6 (0)
2022–2023 Barrow 2 (0)
2022 → Warrington Rylands 1906 (loan) 3 (0)
2022–2023 → Curzon Ashton (loan) 4 (1)
2023 → Guiseley (loan) 6 (4)
2023–2025 Vendsyssel 11 (0)
2024 → 07 Vestur (loan) 14 (3)
2024 → Skive (loan) 2 (0)
2025– Stalybridge Celtic 1 (0)
International career
2017 England U17 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 January 2025

Benni Smales-Braithwaite (born 29 April 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Stalybridge Celtic.

Career

Smales-Braithwaite played youth football for Manchester City and Southampton, turning professional in June 2019,[2][3] before spending time on loan at non-league club Gloucester City,[4]

He signed for Barrow in August 2022.[5][6] Later that month he moved on loan to Warrington Rylands 1906.[7]

On 18 November 2022, Smales-Braithwaite joined National League North side Curzon Ashton on a one-month loan deal.[8] In January 2023, he extended his contract with Barrow until the end of the season and extended his loan with Curzon Ashton.[9] He moved on loan to Guiseley in February 2023.[10][11] He was released after one season at Barrow, but was invited back for pre-season.[12]

In July 2023 Smales-Braithwaite went on trial at Danish 1st Division club Vendsyssel FF.[13] He was included in Vendsyssel's match squad for the opening match against SønderjyskE on 21 July 2023, where he made his debut after coming off the bench.[14] On 31 January 2024, Smales-Braithwaite joined Faroe Islands Premier League side 07 Vestur on loan until June 2024.[15]

On 13 September 2024 Smales-Bratihwaite was loaned out again, to Danish 2nd Division club Skive IK for the remainder of 2024.[16] After only 70 minutes of playing time, Smales-Braithwaite returned to Vendsyssel in December 2024.[17]

In January 2025 he returned to England, signing for Stalybridge Celtic.[18]

Career statistics

As of 8 May 2023[1]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Southampton 2021–22 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gloucester City (loan) 2021–22 National League North 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Barrow 2022–23 League Two 2 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 4 0
Warrington Rylands (loan) 2022–23[19] Northern Premier League 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Curzon Ashton (loan) 2022–23 National League North 4 1 0 0 0 0 3[b] 4 7 5
Guiseley (loan) 2022–23 National League North 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4
Career total 21 5 1 0 0 0 5 4 27 9
  1. ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy.
  2. ^ 2 appearances in the FA Trophy & 1 in Lancashire Senior Cup

References

  1. ^ a b Benni Smales-Braithwaite at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Smales-Braithwaite seals pro deal". Southampton FC.
  3. ^ "Saints youngster signs first pro contract". Daily Echo.
  4. ^ "Smales-Braithwaite seals Gloucester City loan move". Southampton FC.
  5. ^ "Barrow Land Benni Smales-Braithwaite". www.barrowafc.com.
  6. ^ "Barrow sign ex-Saints forward Smales-Braithwaite". BBC Sport.
  7. ^ "Benni Makes Loan Move". www.barrowafc.com.
  8. ^ @CurzonAshton (18 November 2022). "Curzon Ashton are delighted to announce the signing of Benjamin Smales-Braithwaite from Barrow on an initial one-month loan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Benni Signs New Deal". Barrow A.F.C. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Benni Makes Guiseley Loan Switch". www.barrowafc.com.
  11. ^ "Smales-Braithwaite Arrives On Loan". 4 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Barrow Confirm Retained List". www.barrowafc.com. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  13. ^ Begge parter indstillet på et exit for profil, nordjyske.dk, 5 July 2023
  14. ^ VENDSYSSEL FF - SØNDERJYSKE FODBOLD, dbu.dk, 21 July 2023
  15. ^ Braithwaite til 07 Vestur, 07vestur.fo, 31 December 2024
  16. ^ BENNI SMALES-BRAITHWAITE UDLEJES TIL SKIVE IK, vendsysselff.dk, 13 September 2024
  17. ^ Engelsk angriber får ikke en ny aftale: »Modbydelige« holdkammerater holdt ham ude, skivefolkeblad.dk, 11 December 2024
  18. ^ "Stalybridge Celtic - Official Site - News". www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk.
  19. ^ "Warrington Rylands statistics". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2022.