Benni Smales-Braithwaite

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Benni Smales-Braithwaite

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|fullname =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|4|29|df=y}}

|birth_place =

|height = 1.85 m

|position = Striker

|currentclub = Stalybridge Celtic

|clubnumber =

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 = Manchester City

|youthyears2 = 2018–2021

|youthclubs2 = Southampton

|years1 = 2021–2022

|clubs1 = Southampton

|caps1 = 0

|goals1 = 0

|years2 = 2021

|clubs2 = → Gloucester City (loan)

|caps2 = 6

|goals2 = 0

|years3 = 2022–2023

|clubs3 = Barrow

|caps3 = 2

|goals3 = 0

|years4 = 2022

|clubs4 = → Warrington Rylands 1906 (loan)

|caps4 = 3

|goals4 = 0

|years5 = 2022–2023

|clubs5 = → Curzon Ashton (loan)

|caps5 = 4

|goals5 = 1

|years6 = 2023

|clubs6 = → Guiseley (loan)

|caps6 = 6

|goals6 = 4

|years7 = 2023–2025

|clubs7 = Vendsyssel

|caps7 = 11

|goals7 = 0

|years8 = 2024

|clubs8 = → 07 Vestur (loan)

|caps8 = 14

|goals8 = 3

|years9 = 2024

|clubs9 = → Skive (loan)

|caps9 = 2

|goals9 = 0

|years10 = 2025–

|clubs10 = Stalybridge Celtic

|caps10 = 11

|goals10 = 1

|nationalyears1 = 2017

|nationalteam1 = England U17

|nationalcaps1 = 1

|nationalgoals1 = 0

|club-update = 09:42, 8 April 2025 (UTC)

}}

Benni Smales-Braithwaite (born 29 April 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Stalybridge Celtic.

Career

Smales-Braithwaite played youth football for Manchester City and Southampton, turning professional in June 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2019-06-28/pro-contract-benni-smales-braithwaite-june-2022|title=Smales-Braithwaite seals pro deal|website=Southampton FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/17737746.southamptons-benni-smales-braithwaite-signs-professional-contract-june-2022/|title=Saints youngster signs first pro contract|website=Daily Echo}} before spending time on loan at non-league club Gloucester City,{{Cite web|url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-08-27/loan-agreement-benni-smales-braithwaite-gloucester-city-southampton-fc|title=Smales-Braithwaite seals Gloucester City loan move|website=Southampton FC}}

He signed for Barrow in August 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2022/august/020822-barrow-land-benni-smales-braithwaite/|title=Barrow Land Benni Smales-Braithwaite|website=www.barrowafc.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62399070|title=Barrow sign ex-Saints forward Smales-Braithwaite|work=BBC Sport }} Later that month he moved on loan to Warrington Rylands 1906.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2022/august/200822-benni-makes-loan-move/|title=Benni Makes Loan Move|website=www.barrowafc.com}}

On 18 November 2022, Smales-Braithwaite joined National League North side Curzon Ashton on a one-month loan deal.{{Cite tweet |user=CurzonAshton |number=1593635183525212167 |title=Curzon Ashton are delighted to announce the signing of Benjamin Smales-Braithwaite from Barrow on an initial one-month loan}} In January 2023, he extended his contract with Barrow until the end of the season and extended his loan with Curzon Ashton.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2023/january/200123-benni-signs-new-deal/|title=Benni Signs New Deal|publisher=Barrow A.F.C.|date=20 January 2023|accessdate=25 January 2023}} He moved on loan to Guiseley in February 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2023/february/240223-benni-makes-guiseley-loan-switch/|title=Benni Makes Guiseley Loan Switch|website=www.barrowafc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://guiseleyafc.co.uk/smales-braithwaite-arrives-on-loan/|title=Smales-Braithwaite Arrives On Loan|date=4 January 2025}} He was released after one season at Barrow, but was invited back for pre-season.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2023/may/barrow-confirm-retained-list/|title=Barrow Confirm Retained List|website=www.barrowafc.com|date=9 May 2023|accessdate=9 May 2023}}

In July 2023 Smales-Braithwaite went on trial at Danish 1st Division club Vendsyssel FF.[https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/sport/tidligere-manchester-city-talent-viste-sig-godt-frem-i-hobro/4465815 Begge parter indstillet på et exit for profil], nordjyske.dk, 5 July 2023 He was included in Vendsyssel's match squad for the opening match against SønderjyskE on 21 July 2023, where he made his debut after coming off the bench.[https://dbu.dk/resultater/kamp/675586_413506/kampfakta VENDSYSSEL FF - SØNDERJYSKE FODBOLD], dbu.dk, 21 July 2023 On 31 January 2024, Smales-Braithwaite joined Faroe Islands Premier League side 07 Vestur on loan until June 2024.[http://www.07vestur.fo/news-braithwaite+til+07+vestur.htm Braithwaite til 07 Vestur], 07vestur.fo, 31 December 2024

On 13 September 2024 Smales-Bratihwaite was loaned out again, to Danish 2nd Division club Skive IK for the remainder of 2024.[https://vendsysselff.dk/benni-smales-braithwaite-udlejes-til-skive-ik/ BENNI SMALES-BRAITHWAITE UDLEJES TIL SKIVE IK], vendsysselff.dk, 13 September 2024 After only 70 minutes of playing time, Smales-Braithwaite returned to Vendsyssel in December 2024.[https://www.skivefolkeblad.dk/artikel/590eb92a-b777-4dd0-a598-db22f6e594b5/ Engelsk angriber får ikke en ny aftale: »Modbydelige« holdkammerater holdt ham ude], skivefolkeblad.dk, 11 December 2024

In January 2025 he returned to England, signing for Stalybridge Celtic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/news.php?id=3888|title=Stalybridge Celtic - Official Site - News|website=www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk}}

Career statistics

{{updated|8 May 2023}}{{Soccerway|benni-braithwaite/525802|accessdate=26 December 2022}}

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
Southampton \|2021–22 \|Premier League \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Gloucester City (loan) \|2021–22 \|National League North \|6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Barrow \|2022–23 \|League Two \|2	0	0	0	0	0	2{{efn\|Appearances in the EFL Trophy.}}	0	4	0
Warrington Rylands (loan) \|2022–23{{cite web\|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/warrington-rylands/appearances/benni-braithwaite/942924\|title=Warrington Rylands statistics\|accessdate=2 November 2022\|website=footballwebpages.co.uk}} \|Northern Premier League \|3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Curzon Ashton (loan) \|2022–23 \|National League North \|4	1	0	0	0	0	3{{efn\|2 appearances in the FA Trophy & 1 in Lancashire Senior Cup}}	4	7	5
Guiseley (loan) \|2022–23 \|National League North \|6	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	4
colspan="3"\|Career total !21	5	1	0	0	0	5	4	27	9