Promising, if raw, left back who started his youth career at Forest but was released as a young teenager after appearing to lose his way. "Gordon" buckled down and earned himself a contract at Walsall, eventually breaking into the first team after some impressive performances. Once Gary Megson had finally fallen out with Alan Rogers (not that we could remotely have seen that clash coming!), it was to Bennett that he turned, signing him in the January transfer window (not long before he was sacked, in fact).

Bennett settled well enough - he is quick, willing and works hard. Initially, Colin Calderwood seemed happy enough with his ability going forward to play him as a left wing back (and even, on occasion, on the left of midfield) - Calderwood's first game in charge illustrated this, as Bennett slid in at the far post to score the only goal of the game. However, as time went on Calderwood appeared to lose faith in his defensive abilities, signing Alan Wright on loan for the run-in of the 2006-2007 season, and then Matt Lockwood permanently during the Summer.

Many of us assumed that his Forest career would be very limited from that moment, but Bennett was having none of it; early injuries to Lockwood gave him his chance, and he seized it with gusto; he cut out the slightly flakier moments in his game, instead using his considerable physical attributes and athleticism to great effect. This, coupled with his clear love for Forest (he's a life-long fan) endeared him hugely to the fans, and by the end of the season he was widely seen as Forest's most improved player, culminating in winning the Club Player of the Season, being selected in the PFA League One Team of the Season and even scoring a screamer from 25 yards against Yeovil to help clinch promotion... all in the space of 4 days!

It is Lockwood who now looks certain to move on in the summer. Whether Gordon can cut it at a higher level remains to be seen, but he deserves enormous credit for turning an apparently ailing career around through sheer force of will, and I would no longer bet against him.