Tom Bender (footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Tom Bender

| image =

| fullname = Thomas Joseph Bender

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1993|01|19}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads – Colchester United – 2012/13 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2012-2013/flone/colches.htm |publisher=FootballSquads |access-date=10 January 2013 }}

| birth_place = Harlow, England

| height = {{convert|1.91|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| currentclub = Billericay Town

| clubnumber =

| position = Defender

| youthyears1 = 2009–2011 |youthclubs1 = Colchester United

| years1 = 2009–2013 |clubs1 = Colchester United |caps1 = 16 |goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2011–2012 |clubs2 = → Accrington Stanley (loan) |caps2 = 8 |goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2012–2013 |clubs3 = → Chelmsford City (loan) |caps3 = 2 |goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2013–2014 |clubs4 = Millwall |caps4 = 6 |goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2014 |clubs5 = → Welling United (loan) |caps5 = 11 |goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2014–2015 |clubs6 = Dartford |caps6 = 16 |goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2015 |clubs7 = Forest Green Rovers |caps7 = 15 |goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2015 |clubs8 = → St Albans City (loan) |caps8 = 5 |goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2015–2022 |clubs9 = St Albans City |caps9 = 245 |goals9 = 14

| years10 = 2022–2023 |clubs10 = Hanworth Villa |caps10 = 34 |goals10 = 12

| years11 = 2023– |clubs11 = Billericay Town |caps11 = 40 |goals11 = 3

| nationalyears1 = 2008 |nationalteam1 = Wales U15 |nationalcaps1 = |nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 2008 |nationalteam2 = Wales U16 |nationalcaps2 = |nationalgoals2 =

| nationalyears3 = 2009–2010 |nationalteam3 = Wales U17 |nationalcaps3 = 5 |nationalgoals3 = 1

| nationalyears4 = 2010–2012 |nationalteam4 = Wales U19 |nationalcaps4 = 6 |nationalgoals4= 1

| nationalyears5 = 2010–2011 |nationalteam5 = Wales U21 |nationalcaps5 = 7 |nationalgoals5 = 0

| club-update = 16:50, 7 April 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 19:41, 10 January 2013 (UTC)

}}

Thomas Joseph Bender (born 19 January 1993) is a professional footballer who plays for Isthmian League Premier side Billericay Town. He represented Wales at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.

Club career

=Colchester United=

Bender is a product of the Colchester United Academy. He made his senior debut on 19 September 2009 for Colchester in a 2–0 win against Hartlepool United,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8248430.stm |title=Colchester 2–0 Hartlepool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2009 |access-date=2009-11-11}} becoming the second youngest player ever to represent the club at 16 years and 243 days, just 26 days older than the record holder Lindsay Smith.{{cite web |url=http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0,,10424~1802389,00.html |title=Tom enters the records books |publisher=cu-fc.com |access-date=2009-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717013920/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0,,10424~1802389,00.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} Bender was named on the bench for six further games that season against Tranmere Rovers, Brentford, Wycombe Wanderers, Exeter City, Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town. On 19 January 2010, Bender signed his first professional contract until the summer of 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0,,10424~1938111,00.html|title=U'S Flash: Tom Signs Pro Deal|publisher=cu-fc.com|access-date=2009-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123170328/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0,,10424~1938111,00.html|archive-date=23 January 2010|url-status=dead}}

On 12 June 2012, Bender signed a 12-month extension with Colchester following a season plagued by injury, including his high-profile head injury while on loan at Accrington Stanley and a hamstring tear in February 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/colchester-united/tom_bender_expresses_his_relief_at_signing_new_u_s_deal_1_1408490|title= Tom Bender expresses his relief at signing new U's deal|date= 13 June 2012|publisher=EADT |access-date=2012-07-16}}

On 30 August 2011 Bender joined Football League Two club Accrington Stanley on a season-long loan deal. He was given shirt number 20 and made his debut as a substitute against Barnet, and had his first career start came against Carlisle United in the Football League Trophy.

On 4 October 2011, Bender was involved in a three-way collision in a match in the 39th minute between Ian Dunbavin of Accrington Stanley and Lucas Akins of Tranmere Rovers in a Football League Trophy match between the two teams.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15176078.stm |title=Accrington match called off after Tom Bender head injury |date=4 October 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 October 2010 |first=Karen |last=Fazackerley }} The match was subsequently abandoned because of the seriousness of the injury which caused his Twitter account (@tombender01) to be trending worldwide. Having received a full blow from his own keeper's fist, he was rushed to hospital for a brain scan. Despite unfounded rumours that he had broken his neck, Bender regained consciousness in hospital and only suffered severe concussion. On 24 February 2012, Bender returned to Colchester early due to a hamstring tear injury.

On 30 November 2012, Bender and teammate Bradley Hamilton joined Chelmsford City on loan until 7 January 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.bluesqsouth.com/story/0,20970,13042_8296888,00.html? |title=Clarets Complete Double Loan Capture |date=30 November 2012 |publisher=Blue Square South |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129081404/http://www.bluesqsouth.com/story/0%2C20970%2C13042_8296888%2C00.html |archive-date=29 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Bender was released from his Colchester contract by mutual consent on 31 January 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/310113-bender-departs-631848.aspx? |title=U's Flash: Bender Departs |date=31 January 2013 |publisher=Colchester United F.C. |access-date=31 January 2013 }}

=Millwall=

On 27 March 2013, Bender was signed by Millwall on a one-year contract, having been on trial with the club and appearing in their development squad.{{cite news |url=http://www.london24.com/sport/championship/millwall/millwall_sign_ex_colchester_united_youngster_1_1994133 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411074147/http://www.london24.com/sport/championship/millwall/millwall_sign_ex_colchester_united_youngster_1_1994133 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |title=Millwall sign ex-Colchester United youngster |publisher=London24 |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=2013-03-27 }}

=Dartford=

On 26 September 2014, Bender was signed by Dartford on a free transfer on a short-term contract until January.{{cite news |url=http://www.dartfordfconline.com/site/?q=news/3021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113224345/http://www.dartfordfconline.com/site/?q=news/3021 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=13 January 2015 |title=Player News – Friday 26th September 2014 |publisher=Dartford FC |date=26 September 2014 |access-date=2014-09-26 }} In January 2015, he was released by Dartford following the expiration of his contract, having made sixteen appearances for the club.{{cite news |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/sport/bender-released-by-darts-29546/ |title=Dartford FC release defender Tom Bender |publisher=Kent Online |date=4 January 2015 |access-date=2015-01-13}}

=Forest Green Rovers=

After a spell spent training with the club, it was confirmed on 27 February 2015 that Bender had joined Forest Green Rovers on a deal until the end of the 2014–15 season.{{Cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31674620 |title=Forest Green Rovers sign ex-Dartford defender |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 February 2015}} He made his debut the following day as a substitute in a 5–3 home win over Southport.{{Cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31563053 |title=Forest Green 5-3 Southport |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 February 2015 |access-date=1 April 2015}} His first start came in a 4–2 away victory over Gateshead on 18 April 2015.{{Cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32262356 |title=Gateshead 2-4 Forest Green |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2015 |access-date=19 April 2015}}

After helping Forest Green to the Conference National play-offs, he was offered a six-month contract for the 2015–16 season on 4 May 2015.{{Cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32583057 |title=Six players released following play-off failure |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2015 |access-date=4 May 2015}} On 27 November 2015, he joined National League South club St Albans City on a one-month loan.{{Cite web| url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/14109519.FOOTBALL__Forest_Green_defender_Tom_Bender_joins_St_Albans_City_on_loan/ |title=Forest Green defender Tom Bender joins St Albans City on loan |publisher=Stroud News & Journal |date=27 November 2015 |access-date=5 December 2015}} He was released by Forest Green at the end of his contract on 31 December 2015.{{Cite web| url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/14176576.Corby_Moore_and_Tom_Bender_leave_Forest_Green_Rovers/ |title=Corby Moore and Tom Bender leave Forest Green Rovers |publisher=Stroud News & Journal |date=31 January 2015 |access-date=17 January 2016}}

=St Albans City=

Bender joined St Albans City on a permanent deal in 2015 and went on to make 250 appearances in all competitions for the National League South side, as well as serving as vice-captain at Clarence Park. He left St Albans in 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.stalbanscityfc.com/bender-bows-out/ | title=Bender bows out | date=20 July 2022 }}

=Hanworth Villa=

In 2022, Bender joined newly promoted Middlesex-based Isthmian League South Central side Hanworth Villa. He captained them to fourth place and the play-off final loss against Walton & Hersham FC. This turned out to be his last game for the club as on 14 May 2023 it was announced that he would be joining Billericay.{{cite web | url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/hanworth-villa/appearances/tom-bender/941045 | title=Hanworth Villa | Appearances | Tom Bender | Football Web Pages }}

=Billericay Town=

In May 2023, he joined Billericay Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.billericaytownfc.co.uk/bender-is-a-blue/|title=Bender Is A Blue|website=www.billericaytownfc.co.uk|date=14 May 2023|accessdate=21 May 2023}}

International career

Born in England, Bender instead chose to represent Wales and has represented them at every level up to under-21 level.

=Under 17=

He made his debut for the Wales under-17 side in September 2009, playing in the opening two matches in the qualifying round of the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, a 3–2 win over Iceland and a 2–2 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/415 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129081404/http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/415 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 January 2016 |title=Wales 3–2 Iceland |publisher=faw.org.uk |date=28 September 2009 |access-date=2009-11-11}}{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/416 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129081404/http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/416 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 January 2016 |title=Wales 2–2 Bosnia-Herzegovina |publisher=faw.org.uk |date=30 September 2009 |access-date=2009-11-11}}

Bender was called up for the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Elite Round on 10 March 2010{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1634 |title= News – Wales Under 17 Squad Named for Elite Round – Football Association of Wales|website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314070438/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1634 |archive-date=14 March 2010}} but withdrew from the squad due to first team commitments with Colchester.{{cite web|url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1649 |access-date=29 June 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403221146/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1649 |archive-date=3 April 2010 |title=News – Wales Under 17 Squad Changes for France – Football Association of Wales }}

Bender was called up by the Wales under-17 side for a friendly tournament in Sweden from 20 – 24 July. Bender captained Wales for the first game of the tournament against Iceland, Wales lost the game 2–1. Bender was also captain for the second game of the tournament against Norway in which he scored his first international goal, Wales drew 1–1. Bender also played in the third and final game of the tournament a 1 – 1 draw with Sweden.

=Under 19=

Bender was called up for the Wales under-19 side on 18 April for a friendly against Northern Ireland. But he didn't feature in the game.

On 10 October 2010 Bender was called up for three 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification games against Turkey, Iceland and Kazakhstan. Bender played in the 3 – 3 draw against Turkey.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/497 |access-date=2023-05-22 |title=Fixtures and Results |website=www.faw.org.uk |language=en |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117110605/http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/497 |archive-date=17 November 2015 }} He also came on as a sub against Iceland and Kazakhstan.

Bender was named in a squad for a warm-weather training camp from 3 to 8 April 2011.

Bender was called up for the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification matches in Norway. Bender withdrew from the squad to finish the season with Colchester.

In September 2011 Bender was involved in three games in the Qualifying round of the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He captained the team against Belgium but was subbed off,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2004949--belgium-vs-wales/ |title=Under-19 2012 – Belgium-Wales – |publisher=UEFA |access-date=2013-02-01}} He played the full 90 minutes as captain against Scotland{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2004974--wales-vs-scotland/ |title=Under-19 2012 – Wales-Scotland – |publisher=UEFA |access-date=2013-02-01}} and in the third game he came off the bench to score against Slovenia.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2004998--slovenia-vs-wales/ |title=Under-19 2012 – Slovenia-Wales – |publisher=UEFA |access-date=2013-02-01}}

=Under 21=

Bender was called up as a standby player for the Wales under-21 side for a friendly against Malta on 10 August 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1780 |access-date=27 July 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806131045/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1780 |archive-date=6 August 2010 |title=News – Wales Under 21 Squad v Malta – Football Association of Wales }} He was named on the bench for the game, coming on to make his debut as a substitute in place of David Stephens.{{Cite news |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/484 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815221224/http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/484 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 August 2010 |title=Malta 1–1 Wales |publisher=Football Association of Wales |date=10 August 2010 |access-date=2010-08-10}}

Bender was also named in the squad for 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 3 matches against Italy and Hungary. But he did not feature in those games.

Bender was put on the standby list for a friendly against Austria on 17 November.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1943 |title=News – Wales Under 21 Squad v Austria – Football Association of Wales |website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105011316/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/1943 |archive-date=2010-11-05}} Bender was called up on 15 November to be part of the squad for the friendly against Austria.{{Cite web|url=https://myfootballbets.com/wales-premier-league/|title=Wales Premier League Betting Odds Comparison|date=18 April 2023|accessdate=28 December 2023}} Bender came on as a 79th minute sub against Austria as Wales won the game 1 – 0.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/506 |title=Match Report – Wales 1 – 0 Austria – Football Association of Wales |website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123221116/http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/506 |archive-date=2010-11-23}}

Bender was once again called up for the Under 21s this time for a friendly against Northern Ireland on 9 February 2011. He came on as a substitute in the 56th minute.

==2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship==

Bender was called up for a 2013 UEFA U21 Championship qualifying match against Andorra on 29 March 2011, He was named on the bench for this game. but was unused.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120801010946/http://www.faw.org.uk/fixtures-events/results/match/536 Football Association of Wales]}}

Bender was called up for a friendly on 10 August against Hungary.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW61927.ink |title=Football Association of Wales: Wales Under 21 Squad v Hungary Named International News |website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922095733/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW61927.ink |archive-date=2011-09-22}} He came on as a sub for this game.

Bender was named as standby player for a qualifier against Montenegro.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW62242.ink |title=Wales Under 21 Squad Named – Football Association of Wales International News |website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427031531/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW62242.ink |archive-date=2012-04-27}}

Tom was once again called up for the Under 21s, this time for a qualifier against Andorra.{{Cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW82438.ink |title=Football Association of Wales: Wales Under 21 Squad Named for Andorra Match. International News |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-date=31 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731030508/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW82438.ink |url-status=usurped }} Bender withdrew from the squad due to injury.{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW82494.ink |title=Football Association of Wales: Wales Under 21 Squad v Andorra – Changes International News |website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303005423/http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW82494.ink |archive-date=2012-03-03}}

Bender was named on the standby list for Geraint Williams' first two matches in charge, the first a friendly against Armenia{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW85458.ink |title=Football Association of Wales: Wales Under 21 Squad v Armenia Named International News |website=faw.org.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806043715/http://faw.org.uk/news/FAW85458.ink |archive-date=2012-08-06}} and the second a 2013 UEFA U21 Championship qualifying match against Czech Republic.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Colchester United \|2009–10{{cite web \| title = Colchester 2009/2010 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=612&comp_id=1&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 10 January 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League One \|1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2010–11{{cite web \| title = Colchester 2010/2011 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=612&comp_id=1&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 10 January 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	1Appearance in Football League Trophy	0	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total !1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
rowspan="1"\|Accrington Stanley (loan) \|2011–12{{cite web \| title = Accrington 2011/2012 player appearances \| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=42&teamTabs=stats \| publisher = Soccerbase \| access-date = 10 January 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|League Two \|2	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	4	0
rowspan="1"\|Chelmsford City (loan) \|2012–13{{cite web \| title = Wales – T. Bender – Soccerway \| url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/thomas-bender/96473/ \| publisher = Soccerway \| access-date = 10 January 2013}} \|Conference South \|2	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	2	0
rowspan="1"\|Welling United (loan) \|2013–14{{Soccerbase season\|52335\|2013\|access-date=29 September 2014}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Conference Premier \|11	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	11	0
rowspan="1"\|Dartford \|2014–15{{Soccerbase season\|52335\|2014\|access-date=29 September 2014}} Select season required via dropdown menu. \|Conference Premier \|16	0	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	1Appearance in FA Trophy	0	20	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !32	0	4	0	0	0	3	0	39	0