Benson rejoins the Daggers

By Nathan Jacobs

Club legend Paul Benson has rejoined Dagenham and Redbridge for a second stint, hoping to emulate former glories.

After being released by Luton Town, the well-travelled striker returns to the the Daggers where he scored 28 goals to help them secure promotion to the Football League in 2007.

The 36-year-old also netted a goal at Wembley in 2010 as the East London club beat Rotherham to gain promotion to the third tier of English football for the first ever time.

Benson’s Daggers return means being reunited with former boss John Still, who began his third stint at Victoria Road after Wayne Burnett’s dismissal in December 2015.

Since leaving Dagenham, Benson has gone on to play for a number of Football League clubs including Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town, Portsmouth and Luton Town.

Benson’s career with the Addicks started well, scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances. However, things soon turned pear shaped for the veteran as he found first-team opportunities limited.

Loan moves followed before Luton Town made his signature permanent. His fruitful partnership with Andre Gray yielded 47 goals, which saw the Hatters end their five-year stay in the National League following long running financial insecurity.

Benson scored 22 goals in 77 matches for the Hatters during a three year spell at Kenilworth Road.

With such a positive past at his ‘new’ club, Benson will hope he can lead the Daggers to promotion once again.