Gary Bennett was assistant manager to Neil McNab between 2002 and 2003. He was later awarded the MBE for his participation in anti-racism initiatives.

Joining Manchester City from school in 1978, Gary failed to make the first-team before spending three years at Cardiff City ahead of a 369 league-game career with Sunderland between 1984 and 1995. Also playing for Carlisle United, Scarborough and Darlington, he had briefly been in charge of Darlington before arriving as assistant manager to Neil McNab.

Reported as having being the choice of chairman John Russell, it was believed Gary hadn't previously met Neil McNab.

With the pair only in charge between October 2002 and February 2003, Gary later coached academy players at Middlesbrough and the football teams at Sunderland University. Involved in the Show Racism the Red Card campaign from its start, he was awarded the MBE in 2022 for services to anti-racism in football alongside an honorary doctorate by Sunderland University.