Trevor Benjamin left Cambridge United on Wednesday 12th July in a deal which should soon be worth at least £1.5m to the Club. Last season the 21-year-old built on the goal-scoring progress he had made during the promotion season of 1998-99 and - especially after the sale of strike partner Martin Butler in March - he scored consistently in the battle against relegation.

Despite the fact that he only turned 21 at the beginning of the year, Trevor made his first team debut four years ago while still a trainee. In that time he transformed himself from an occasional scorer of vital goals to a regular goalscorer, and indeed he set a new Club record with eight goals in eight appearances during March and April 2000.

Reactions:

Smartie wrote on the message board:
"I remember the first time I saw Trev play. It was the 96/97 season and I was home from Uni in Northampton. Having been to a Northampton game with a mate I decided I wanted to start going to more football matches and who else to go see than my local team.

"Dragging my dad down to the Cambridge v Northampton match we stood in the North Terrace for the first time. Wow, what an atmosphere. We were playing well but then the crowd started cheering 'Bruno Bruno Bruno'. They had spotted someone stripping off getting ready to come on as sub. Well, me and dad not knowing who the hell he was were quite baffled at the support for this guy who was about to come on. It didn't take long to realise quite why 'Bruno' had so many fans and such strong support.

"Dad and I didn't know much about players then but we could tell straight away that he was a face for the future. An exciting prospect who with a bit of improvement with his touch would be sure to go on to bigger and better things. His pace and build were to become a dominant feature of his game and I am proud that he is a product of the clubs own Youth Development Scheme.

"It just goes to show that you don't always have to buy to get quality players."

Steve Greenall (former club secretary) e-mailed to say:
"In the early days of FourFourTwo magazine - and 'no' SteveJ, I wasn't/didn't/wouldn't ;-) - we came up with the idea of a 'Sunday team' playing a professional team, under the idea of a group of lads coming out of a ground on a Saturday after seeing their team get whipped and saying, 'bloody hell, our pub team could have done better'.

"FourFourTwo sent a team of their staff and mates to play a 'Cambridge United' XI. Included in our team was a young lad yet to make a debut for the first team, but scoring freely for the youth team. Trevor scored half a dozen that day. I rang FourFourTwo just before they published their article to say that Trevor was about to make his debut, which would add to their story.

" Later ... well what about that goal against Plymouth in the Cup when he frightened the life out of Jon Sheffield. We were dead and buried at half time, but came back to win with a Willow penalty in extra time.

"Not only that, I'll remember him as a young kid who got on with everyone he met. He was a little shy at first; and to a fashion, still is 'quiet'. But I think he's done enough to be remembered among the United greats. His goals against Sheffield Wednesday in the Worthy Cup matches during my last month working at the Club will remain great memories. Good luck, Trevor."

Ryan wrote on the message board:
"The best goal I think he scored was away at Brighton (Gillinghams' ground). He had his back to goal and was standing on the corner of the box. The ball came to him about knee height and he turned and cracked it into the top corner of the opposite side. I think it was the first game that we played Brighton at Gillinghams ground.

"And his best games were the Worthington Cup games."

Daniel Fordham e-mailed to say:
"How gutted am I? It has to be said ... we all knew Trevor was going, but it still leaves a lump in my throat! God only knows how we're going to cope in Div 2, next season ... We've barely got a squad left ... Shaggy for another season???

"I would have to say the most memorable goal Big Trev has scored was the superb strike at the Preistfield Stadium verses Brighton. I do remember, however the equaliser he scored against Brentford at the Abbey ... A fantastic moment.

"I'm sure he will go on and play at international level and hopefully win England a trophy!!! I thought that, when the hype surrounded Butler, it was misplaced and I knew that Trev would play Premiership football long before Martin ... although Martin was a great striker for us and I'd have him back in a minute, given the chance! I wish Trevor all the best at his new club, and look forward to seeing him fall straight into Huskey's boots! Oh well...life goes on!!!"

DavidR wrote on the message board:
"I think the first time I saw Trev was in a bizarre match against Leyton Orient in 1996. I've copied below an e-mail that I sent to someone about it at the time - Trev is the "17 year old kid". Paul Wanless was the goalie!. Does anyone remember this game? - one of the strangest i've seen....

1) 5 mins. Our brave goalkeeper tries to collect a typical LO hoof down the middle and is studded in the thigh by some vicious git. He gets carried off and an outfield player gets the goalie's jersey. The ref opts to leave his cards in his pocket which proves VERY unpopular with our crowd

2) 11 mins. We have to sub our goalie off after unsuccessful touchline surgery thus reminding the crowd what a bas***d the ref is

3) 20 mins. Chaos as an LO player scythes down our striker Tony Richards who decides to take the law into his own hands and lay out the offender with a right hook that Barry Hearn would have taken note of. Result: LO player booked, heroic Tony sent off. At this point, ie defender in goal and down to ten men, we feared the worst.

4) 24 mins. The balance shifts slightly as an LO defender commits the cardinal professional foul on some 17 year old that we had to put up front. General scuffles, fist fights and arguments with the linesman result in one booking and one sending off for LO. Player refuses to leave the field for five minutes. We score the penalty.

5) 25 mins. Linesman stops the game to inform the ref that LO manager is shouting abuse at him. LO manager is sent off! Banished to the stand

6) Rest of half: ill tempered petulance reigns, three more LO and one CUFC players booked. ANOTHER stud challenge on our goalie almost invokes pitch invasion.

7) 46 mins. Ref spots LO manager back in dugout and send him off for second time!

8) 49, 58, 71 & 75 mins. That old timer Glen Cockerill was booked in the first half but he has a death wish. He commits four more crazy fouls. The ref bottles out of the first three and invokes more hatred from our crowd but finally pulls the plug and sends him off after 75 mins. The balance is finally in our favour.

9) 70 & 87 mins. Ref bottles out of a clear penalty after 70 but wins the crowd back over with a correct decision after 87. Second penalty, two nil.

10) 90 mins. Final whistle and nobody shakes hands with anyone. Next day. LO manager quoted as saying "the ref did us no favours". Did you no favours? The opposition down to ten men and no goalie after 20 minutes and you still couldn't win? You're shite, and you know you are etc."

'The big show' added:
"I remember that game well. It was the last game of the season. Trev played well and he nearly scored with a spectacular diving header in the second half which hit the bar.

"The funniest goal he scored was against Plymouth in the FA cup a few years back where he charged down Jon Sheffield's pathetic attempt at clearance. Best goal was against Brighton away. He has also missed some absolute sitters in his time the worst being the same game when he scored his first goal. Against Scarborough he somehow hit the bar from a yard out against an open goal. I can also remember some of his radio 'punditry' skills with some gems such as 'if we score more than them then we win'. I'm sure Hansen, Jimmy Hill et al will not lose any sleep. Anyway I think it's a good deal and wish him all the best and I'm sure he can scare the s!@t out of the likes of Stam, Campbell, Barthez and the rest."

Nick Oswald e-mailed to say:
"Trevor is a brilliant player and sure to be a success at Leicester. He is every bit as good as Heskey, except that he can score goals! Good luck Bruno, you'll play for England one day!"

Mobile wrote on the message board:
"Trev's greatest moment for me was the goal he scored at Hillsborough when we beat Sheff Wed in the Worthington's Cup 2 seasons ago. Although the goal itself was far from a classic, it underlined Trev's commitment, pace and attitude. His equaliser against them at the Abbey was also a great moment but for sheer joy factor I think the one in the first leg was the best."

Justin Weiss e-mailed to say:
"Two moments stick out beyond any other: His first goal (V Swansea??), he had missed a couple of real sitters in that game and still his enthusiasm was 110%. For several matches we had willed him to score and when he scored it was probably the hardest of the chances he had had, we expected him to run out the ground and down the Newmarket Road in celebration. The second is 'that' goal at Sheff Wed in the Worthington Cup.

"I hope he does well at Leicester, personally I believe he can be as good as Emile Heskey, or maybe even better. I am also really pleased that he has been signed by a Premiership club, not least because it will improve his ability, but also because it is further recognition of the players we can produce."

AndyC wrote on the message board:
"Come on guys, lets be happy for Trev. He has given us everything from day one, and especially since Martin left a few months back. Trevor's career has developed as it can at United and I for one, wish him all the success in the world. One thing is for sure, Leicester have signed a fighter, and they are few and far between in the Premiership.

"Here's two people who will never forget Trev: 1. Jon Sheffield - I can still smell his fear now 2. Kevin Pressman - can anyone tell me that the evening we spent in Sheffield was not one of the greatest nights in United's history? Good luck Trev, it's great to see hard work pay off."

Christopher Mason e-mailed to say:
"When I first saw Trevor Benjamin play for United, it was against Fulham on the last day of the 1996/97 season. He looked like another John Fashanu, hence his nickname of 'Fash'!! On this showing he looked awful, all he could do was what Emile Heskey can do now - jump in the air for balls and fall over a lot. But he looked a better player once he had league experience under his belt and was a key feature in the last two seasons, helping United win promotion to Division 2 and stay there the following campaign.

"My favourite Trevor Benjamin goal is the one he got away to Brighton when he volleyed the ball in from close range in the 1997/98 season (you know the one), closely followed by his header against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and the winner away at Notts County last season.

"I hope he does well for Leicester in the Premier League - but will he hold down a regular place, even more questionable if they buy Ade Akinbiyi."

Michael Woodhouse e-mailed to say:
"The first thing you notice about Trevor is obviously his size. He was always going to be a handful for any third division defender. The first goal I remember that stands out is when he charged the ball down into the goal from John Sheffield's kick from a back pass in the 3-2 F.A Cup win against Plymouth a few years ago. He scored in similar fashion against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and when he scored that header in the return leg that is when we all knew he was going to be good enough to move on, especially being so young. I am glad he is going to the premiership rather than going to one of our rivals like Martin Butler did. It is a shame he only really started scoring regularly last season when Buts had left. But thanks to Trevor for great goals, funny moments and getting us to Division 2 and staying there."

Berney Rabern e-mailed to say:
"First of all I would like to wish Trev all the best at Leicester and I look forward to watching him in the Prem next season. I think Trev has the potential to go all the way and I think in a few years we will see him in an England shirt, I hope he remembers Cambridge when he is moving on to bigger better things and I will definantly be following his career. Good luck Bruno!"

If you have any comments to add, please e-mail.

Trevor gave an exclusive interview and Q&A to U's Net in April 2000 which you can read here.