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Who was the greater Southend legend?


  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .

Yorkshire Blue

Super Moderator⭐
Staff member
Joined
Oct 27, 2003
Messages
40,952
Location
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Another intriguing clash as Tony Bentley is up against Bill Garner in the type of tie that I suspect would have made a good 50:50 on the pitch.
 
Two of my favourites, Tony Bentley a Roots Hall stalwart of many years, solid right back and scorer of the occasional goal, the preferred option being a rocket right footer into the North Banl goal.

Bill Garner signed from non league Bedford, big strapping centre forward, probably more skillful than he was given credit for. Great in the air and formed a lethal partnership with Billy Best in the promotion year of 1971/72. Transferred to Chelsea aftera narrow League Cup defeat in 1972 for 100k, and is still involved with SUFC today.

Garner for me.
 
Really difficult. But I'm voting for Tony Bentley. Garner was a great player, but Bentley played consistently well for a decade, and often showed enormous spirit in teams which gave up too easily.
 
Tony Bentley for me, although Garner played at a higher level Tony was ever present for a decade or more in a Southend shirt.
 
Tony Bentley for me, although Garner played at a higher level Tony was ever present for a decade or more in a Southend shirt.

What he said - a great servant to the club - never gave less than 100% and never shirked a challenge.
 
This is really tough for me as I got to know both Tony and Bill quite well.

Bill was outstanding and rightly went on to play at a higher level than Tony. But Bents was @ Roots Hall for over 10 years and probably our best ever right back.
So Tony Bentley just edges out Bill Garner for me.
 
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