Francis Benali

Date of birth30 December 1968
Place of birthSouthampton
NationalityEnglish
Weight70 kg
Height1.78 m
PositionDefender

Benali found himself on the fringes of the first-team squad at Southampton in the 2000-01 campaign following the emergence of Wayne Bridge and he made just one early season appearance, coming on from the subs' bench in the closing stages of the 5-0 defeat at Manchester United. With no further opportunities on the horizon he moved on loan to Nottingham Forest where he soon won a regular place in the team. He made 15 appearances during a three-month loan period at the City Ground and impressed with some solid defensive displays. He returned to the Dell and featured from the bench again on a further three occasions in the closing matches. A left-sided central defender who can feature either at full back or in a more central role he has been a loyal servant to the Saints and a model professional for the club.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Southampton 05 Jan 1987 17 Jan 2004
Nottingham Forest 12 Jan 2001 23 Apr 2001 L

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1988-89 Southampton League Cup
2
1988-89 Southampton League Division One 3
4
1989-90 Southampton FA Cup 3
1989-90 Southampton League Cup 6
1989-90 Southampton League Division One 23
4
1990-91 Southampton FA Cup 2
1990-91 Southampton League Division One 9
3
1990-91 Southampton Rumbelows League Cup 1
2
1991-92 Southampton FA Cup 6
1991-92 Southampton League Division One 19
3
1992-93 Southampton FA Cup 1
1992-93 Southampton League Cup 1
2
1992-93 Southampton Premier League 31
2
5
1
1993-94 Southampton FA Cup 1
1993-94 Southampton League Cup 2
1993-94 Southampton Premier League 34
3
3
1
1994-95 Southampton FA Cup 4
1994-95 Southampton League Cup 3
1994-95 Southampton Premier League 32
3
11
1995-96 Southampton FA Cup 1
1995-96 Southampton League Cup 4
1995-96 Southampton Premier League 28
1
6
1996-97 Southampton FA Cup 1
1
1996-97 Southampton Premier League 14
4
4
1
1997-98 Southampton FA Cup 1
1
1997-98 Southampton League Cup 2
1
1997-98 Southampton Premier League 32
1
1
2
2
1998-99 Southampton League Cup 2
1998-99 Southampton Premier League 19
4
2
1999-00 Southampton FA Cup 1
1999-00 Southampton League Cup 3
1999-00 Southampton Premier League 25
1
4
2000-01 Nottingham Forest League Division 1 15
4
2000-01 Southampton Premier League
4
2001-02 Southampton Premier League
3
2002-03 Southampton FA Cup 2
2002-03 Southampton Premier League 2
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
14 Jan 2001 Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace L 0-3 League Division 1
03 Feb 2001 Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest D 1-1 League Division 1
10 Feb 2001 Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers W 2-1 League Division 1
17 Feb 2001 Fulham v Nottingham Forest L 1-0 League Division 1
21 Feb 2001 Nottingham Forest v Sheffield Wednesday L 0-1 League Division 1
24 Feb 2001 Nottingham Forest v Grimsby Town W 3-1 League Division 1
03 Mar 2001 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest L 2-0 League Division 1
07 Mar 2001 Nottingham Forest v Barnsley W 1-0 League Division 1
10 Mar 2001 Sheffield United v Nottingham Forest W 1-3 League Division 1
13 Mar 2001 Crewe Alexandra v Nottingham Forest L 1-0 League Division 1
17 Mar 2001 Nottingham Forest v Bolton Wanderers L 0-2 League Division 1
31 Mar 2001 Nottingham Forest v Queens Park Rangers D 1-1 League Division 1
03 Apr 2001 Watford v Nottingham Forest L 3-0 League Division 1
07 Apr 2001 Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest W 0-2 League Division 1
14 Apr 2001 Preston North End v Nottingham Forest D 1-1 League Division 1


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.