| Bth | 06/12/15 | Leadgate | Co. Durham |
| P/H/W | Full-Back | 5ft 7in | |
| Jnd | 17/11/38 (22) | Huddersfield | £4,000 |
| Deb | 19/11/38 (22) | Blackburn | D2 |
| Dep | 07/50 (34) | Retired | |
| A/G | 67 | 0 | |
| War A/G | 52 | 0 | |
| Void A/G | 3 | 0 |
Benny Craig was a shrewd, sound kicking full back who could play on either flank. He proved himself to be one of the safest defenders in the game and a grand man to have as a team mate.
He was a first class defender whose tackling was not without bite. Stylish and daring, he had a fine sense of anticipation and played with polish and a marked positional instinct.
Benny left Eden Colliery as a youngster in 1934 to join Huddersfield and came to Gallowgate in November 1938, but was lost to United when war service took him overseas for the greater part of six years.
His best season, appearance wise, was the 1947/48 promotion campaign when his experience was of increasing importance as the season wore on.
Records show that Benny retired in July 1950, however he played for the reserves in the match at Huddersfield during the 1950/51 season. Not sure if he appeared in any more reserve games.
Signed from Huddersfield in November when Richardson was injured and - two days later - he made his debut against Blackburn after meeting his new teammates for the first time on the day. Played in the next game and then the last seven games.
Benny was demobbed in May and started the season as first choice right-back, but an injury ruled him out and he failed to re-establish himself. With Burke and Cowell being preferred he was transfer-listed in December at his own request. However he displayed reliable and consistent work in the reserves.
In the promotion season Craig once more started the season at right back, only to be dropped after the disastrous home defeat against Chesterfield in the fourth game. Returned to the first eleven in December on the opposite flank to cover for the injured Graham. Was in excellent form to the end of the season, helping to stiffen the rearguard and playing in every game from the 13th December onwards.
Benny, who was thirty-four in December, played at left-back in the first 10 games before being replaced by Ron Batty.
With Bobby Cowell injured Benny played at right-back in the first 7 games. And, with Joe Harvey also out injured, he was captain for at least one game (Wolves away). But with years catching up with him, he was dropped after he struggled badly in the 6-3 defeat at Charlton. Did not play in the first team again and retired at the end of the season.
Painting by Piotr Jozefowicz - if you would like a copy of this painting or a copy of the painting of any other player, past or present, please contact Piotr directly at: 008bond@wp.pl