Eli Benoit

**Last statistical update: n/a**

**Eli Justin Benoit** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Benoit began appearing with Tilbury in 2012–13, notably making the bench on 18 April 2013 for a Isthmian League - Division One North home loss to Soham Town Rangers. His debut in that competition arrived almost one year later, as the defender replaced Sam West after 78 minutes of a two-goal defeat at Chadfields against Heybridge Swifts on 15 April 2014. His one other 2013–14 appearance arrived six days later as he again came off the bench to replace Francis Babalola in a home win over Cheshunt. Benoit wouldn't play for Tilbury again until 2016–17, featuring in a match with Dereham Town on 27 August 2016 before netting his first goal two days later away to Great Wakering Rovers.

He scored his second Tilbury goal on 17 September in a 4–1 victory over Soham Town Rangers, in what was his 7th appearance of an eventual 24-game season for the defender. However, Benoit soon departed to finish the campaign with Waltham Abbey.

Waltham Abbey
For the end part of 2016–17, Benoit joined fellow Isthmian League - Division One North team Waltham Abbey. He initially made substitute appearances in league games with Brentwood Town and VCD Athletic, prior to starting for the first time for the club in a 2–1 defeat away to Dereham Town on 4 March 2017. He'd make 8 further appearances for *The Abbott's* - all as a starter - as they finished the campaign in 20th place.

Tilbury return
Benoit spent two months of 2017–18 back with Tilbury in the Isthmian League - Division One North. After playing in December matches with Soham Town Rangers, Potters Bar Town, Romford and Cheshunt, the defender would feature 6 times in the following January - including for the last time on 27 January during a 5–2 loss at home to Mildenhall Town.

Barking
On 24 March 2018, Barking of the Isthmian League - North Division announced the arrival of Benoit. His bow for *The Blues* came on that same day, as he played the full duration of a win on the road against Mildenhall Town. He remained with the club until the end of the succeeding April, having participated in fixtures with Grays Athletic, Norwich United, Hertford Town and ex-club Tilbury.

Leyton Athletic
In mid-2018, Benoit headed to the Essex Senior League with Leyton Athletic; where he would serve as player/manager for a period. On the pitch, he would feature for a total of 28 appearances in a campaign that the club would conclude with relegation to the Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South; and would later fold. Benoit, though, moved clubs before the season's end.

Basildon United
On 9 March 2019, Benoit debuted for Basildon United in an Isthmian League - North Division defeat away to Felixstowe & Walton United. After picking up a yellow card in his next match versus Romford on 16 March, the defender was selected 6 more times by the club in a season that saw them finish 17th.

Hythe Town
Hythe Town became Benoit's next club in November 2019. His first match for the Isthmian League - South East Division side came on 16 November, as he played 77 minutes of a score draw away to Cray Valley Paper Mills. He featured 4 more times, all bar one as a starter, before appearing for the final time in a goalless tie in the Isthmian League - South East Division on the road to Sevenoaks Town on 4 February 2020.

Woodford Town
Whilst with Hythe Town, Benoit also concurrently played for Woodford Town in the Essex Senior League. He notably appeared against HTU on 24 January 2020 during a 3–1 league loss at the Harlow Arena. In total, Benoit participated in 12 matches for *The Woods* in a season that was ended early (and subsequently voided) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

### HTU

2020–21
On 1 June 2020, Benoit joined HTU in a coaching role under cousin Kiernan Hughes-Mason's staff, as the latter came in as the club's new reserve manager.

2021–22
In late-September, after a second stint with Hythe Town, Benoit rejoined HTU - this time as a player. His bow for *The Tags* came in an FA Trophy first qualifying round defeat at home to Chipstead; playing every moment of the 4–1 loss. After 9 more appearances in the Isthmian League - North Division and 1 in the Alan Turvey Trophy, Benoit netted his first goal in a 4–3 victory at Burroughs Park on 4 December 2021 versus Great Wakering Rovers. He would subsequently add 13 more matches to his tally, prior to notching a second HTU goal after scoring the winner in a win away to ex-club Basildon United on 18 April 2022. He concluded his first season as a player with 27 appearances.

2022–23
Benoit would feature 5 times in 2022–23's pre-season, though in subsequent competitive action the defender was limited to appearances in cup competitions versus Barton Rovers, Romford and Bedfont Sports. Benoit would spend time away from the club in the first half of 2022, whilst still occasionally featuring for *The Tags*, on dual registration terms in the Essex Senior League with, firstly, Barking and, secondly, Redbridge. On 17 May, with promotion as champions secured, HTU confirmed that Benoit would be leaving the club.

### Post-HTU

Hythe Town return
Come the 2021–22 campaign, Benoit was again playing for Isthmian League - South East Division club Hythe Town. However, like his first spell, Benoit would only play in a handful of competitive matches. After a debut versus Corinthian on 14 August, the defender played and scored on 21 August in an FA Cup preliminary round draw at home to Westfield; his new club advanced via a replay. After September showings versus Sittingbourne (league) and Dartford (cup), Benoit left the club to join HTU.

Barking return (dual)
After minor opportunities for HTU, Benoit was allowed to rejoin Barking of the Essex Senior League via dual registration in early October 2022. Benoit made his second bow for *The Blues* in a 4 October draw with Athletic Newham, though the defender was sent off in his next appearance on 7 October as they lost at home to Saffron Walden Town.

Redbridge (dual)
By the end of October 2022, a month that he had started on dual terms away from HTU with Barking, Benoit headed on a similar deal to another Essex Senior League team in Redbridge. He debuted in an FA Vase first round loss away to Biggleswade United on 22 October, prior to featuring in November league matches with Halstead Town and Southend Manor.

Woodford Town (return)
On 9 June 2023, having departed HTU permanently, Benoit sealed a move back to Woodford Town of the Essex Senior League.

## Personal Life

Benoit's cousin, Kiernan Hughes-Mason, also played for HTU. Benoit also worked, around September 2022, as a teacher in the academy of Cray Wanderers. He has also worked in his local community in support of youngsters.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (47)
* List of appearances of Eli Benoit

Goals (2)
Great Wakering Rovers  v  Hashtag United

Basildon United  v  Hashtag United

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Eli Justin Benoit player stats" .
2. ↑ "@elibenoit\_ birthday" , 3 October 2021.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Eli Benoit" .
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Tilbury - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2013-2014" .
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Tilbury - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2016-2017" .
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Waltham Abbey - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2016-2017" .
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Tilbury - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2017-2018" .
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Barking - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2017-2018" .
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Eli Justin Benoit player stats" .
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Basildon United - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2018-2019" .
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 "Hythe Town - Appearances - Eli Benoit - 2019-2020" .
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Eli Justin Benoit player stats" .
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "LIVE - Hashtag United vs Haringey Borough FC - Velocity Cup!" , 24 October 2022.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Eli Benoit - Redbridge Football Club 1st Team" .
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Hullbridge Sports head to Barkingside after thumping win at Leyton Athletic" , 19 January 2019.
16. ↑ "New signing: welcome to @Eli\_Benoit5" , 24 March 2018.
17. ↑ "The news I've been waiting for" , 1 June 2020.
18. ↑ "10’ -" , 26 September 2021.
19. ↑ "LEAVING THE CLUB #️⃣ Today we can announce that 5 of our current first team are departing the club. We’d like to express our sincere thanks to each of the players for their individual involvement across the last 2 years" , 17 May 2023.
20. ↑ "We are delighted to announce Eli Benoit (@EliBenoit\_) will be joining us for 2023/2024 season. Experience defender won Ishmian North championship with Hashtag Utd last season. Welcome Eli" , 9 June 2023.
21. ↑ "THE ACADEMY EDUCATION @ Cray Wanderers - Eli Benoit & The Players Explain What Happens @ The Academy" , 28 September 2022.