Ken Bennett's jumper back with Collingwood

Many of you would have read with sadness the news of Ken Bennett’s passing a couple of months ago.

The nuggetty, snowy-haired Bennett was one of the heroes of our fabled 1958 Premiership triumph, kicking two goals on Grand Final day and being named in our best players. He’d always been something of a fan favourite since debuting while he was still at school the previous year, and the gutsy rover maintained that status throughout his 56-game career with the Magpies.

And now his family have ensured his legacy will live on, by donating his No.33 guernsey and a personal scrapbook to the football club’s Archives.

The guernsey is a classic of the time, made of thick wool, with a collar and the pronounced pin-striping of the time. 

The scrapbook is a thing of beauty, maintained by family friends and taking in his career until just after the Premiership. It contains many wonderful photos, including some we’ve not seen before, as well as an original 1958 WEG poster and lots of clippings from Ken’s early days with Dandenong and Collingwood.

The Collingwood Football Club thanks Ken’s daughter Rebecca, and son Clem, for their generosity in donating these wonderful items to us. They will remain part of our collection forever.

The jumper will be on display in our museum shortly, in the Archives cabinet near reception.