Alfie Joshua Bendle (born 27 January 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Chelmsford City, on loan from EFL League Two club Colchester United.[3]

Alfie Bendle
Personal information
Full name Alfie Joshua Bendle[1]
Date of birth (2005-01-27) 27 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Eastbourne, England[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Chelmsford City
(on loan from Colchester United)
Number 6
Youth career
2011–2012 1st Touch Football Academy
2012–2021 Brighton and Hove Albion
2021 Lewes
2021–2022 AFC Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 AFC Wimbledon 9 (0)
2021–2022Corinthian-Casuals (loan) 32 (5)
2023Eastbourne Borough (loan) 11 (0)
2023–2024 Forest Green Rovers 5 (0)
2024Eastbourne Borough (loan) 15 (1)
2024– Colchester United 0 (0)
2024–Chelmsford City (loan) 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:07, 6 November 2024 (UTC)

Career

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AFC Wimbledon

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Bendle, who had previously played youth football with Brighton and Hove Albion and spent time on loan with Corinthian-Casuals, signed a professional contract for AFC Wimbledon on his seventeenth birthday.[4][5]

Bendle made his professional debut in the final game of the 2021–22 EFL League One season at home at Plough Lane on 30 April 2022 against Accrington Stanley in a 4–3 defeat that confirmed Wimbledon's relegation to EFL League Two.[6]

The next season, Bendle came on in the 88th minute for Ethan Chislett against Gillingham on 30 July 2022.[7]

On 20 January 2023, it was announced that Bendle would join National League South club Eastbourne Borough on loan until the end of the season.[8] Bendle was recalled early from his loan, after making 11 appearances for Borough, due to an injury crisis at Wimbledon.[9]

Forest Green Rovers

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Bendle signed for Forest Green Rovers in August 2023 for a free transfer, with Wimbledon inserting a sell-on clause into the deal.[10]

On 2 February 2024, Bendle joined hometown club Eastbourne Borough on an initial one-month loan, making this his second spell at the club.[11]

Colchester United

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On 3 August 2024, Bendle returned to League Two following Forest Green Rovers' relegation, joining Colchester United on a one-year deal.[12]

On 26 October 2024, Bendle joined fellow Essex side Chelmsford City on loan.[13]

Career statistics

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As of matches played 17 September 2024
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
AFC Wimbledon 2021–22[14] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2022–23[15] League Two 8 0 3 0 0 0 5[a] 0 16 0
Total 9 0 3 0 0 0 5 0 17 0
Corinthian-Casuals (loan) 2021–22[16] Isthmian League
Premier Division
32 5 8 1 3[b] 0 43 6
Eastbourne Borough (loan) 2022–23[3] National League South 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Forest Green Rovers 2023–24[15] League Two 5 0 1 0 0 0 3[a] 0 8 0
Eastbourne Borough (loan) 2023–24[3] National League South 15 1 0 0 0 0 15 1
Colchester United 2024–25[17] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Career total 72 6 12 1 0 0 12 0 95 7
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Surrey Senior Cup, one appearance in Velocity Cup

References

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  1. ^ "CLUB LIST OF REGISTERED PLAYERS" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Squads - English Football League Two 2024/2025". FootballSquads. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "A. Bendle- Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  4. ^ "Rising Star Alfie signs first Pro contract". afcwimbledon.co.uk.
  5. ^ "Alfie Bendle backed to be a 'big player' for AFC Wimbledon next season". londonnewsonline.co.uk. 30 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Mixed emotions for Dons duo after full debuts". afcwimbledon.co.uk.
  7. ^ "AFC Wimbledon vs Gillingham - 30 July 2022". uk.soccerway.com.
  8. ^ "Bendle joins Borough". ebfc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Bendle recalled". ebfc.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Alfie Bendle: Forest Green sign midfielder from AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Bendle re-joins The Sports on loan". ebfc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "BENDLE SIGNS U'S DEAL". www.cu-fc.com. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Alfie Bendle joins the Clarets". Chelmsford City F.C. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Games played by Alfie Bendle in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Games played by Alfie Bendle in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Corinthian-Casuals – Appearances – Alfie Bendle – 2021-2022". footballwebpages.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Games played by Alfie Bendle in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 September 2024.