R.I.P Tony Bentley

[Whispering Bob]

Being of a young age at Tony’s peak, my memory is a bit sketchy although as a school kid I would have seen him play several times.

Funnily enough, during the weekend I sorted all my football programmes (some going back before I was born) and 530 Southend programmes alone. However one programme that stuck in my mind was Tony’s testimonial in 1972 hopefully attached!

View attachment 35028

Remember this game well, a large crowd gathered, expecting to see the great Gordon Banks in goal. Alas he was a no show (a few months later he was involved a car crash that saw him lose his sight in one eye).

 

[bluesfansince1952]

I remember the expectation when he came to us from Stoke as (I think but it was a long time ago) a right winger. Is it my imagination or when at Stoke had he understudied the immortal Stanley Matthews?

In my early teens at school in Henley on Thames I was the only Southend supporter in a sea of Reading fans and for me Southend's away game to Reading was the highlight of the football season. I can remember going to the old Elm Park to watch the Blues vs Reading where sadly we hardly raised a yelp in a 3-1 defeat. An abiding memory in what may have been Tony Bentley's first game at right back was a spectacular goal struck into the top corner from well outside the eighteen yard box. That did lift my spirits that night and immediately made Tony one of my favourite players.

He played for the Blues for several more seasons and his wholehearted efforts ensuring he became a Blues legend.

RIP Tony Bentley. You will never be forgotten by those who saw you wear the Blue shirt.

My condolences to his family.

 

[LBBlue]

Having counted all the votes,(most were for him),I felt honoured to be able to present Tony,such a good man,with the Player of the Year Trophy,back in 1966 or maybe 1967.

Tony was the very first Player of the Year - in 1965/66.

 

[Zeuss]

Tony was the very first Player of the Year - in 1965/66.

Thought so—thanks !

 

[Green Wizard]

My earliest programme with Roberts, Bentley, and Birks at the back was against Crewe on Friday, March 17th, 1967. I assume Don Rogers was thinking about the 2-0 win over Swindon in the FA Cup.

 

[Napster]

My earliest programme with Roberts, Bentley, and Birks at the back was against Crewe on Friday, March 17th, 1967. I assume Don Rogers was thinking about the 2-0 win over Swindon in the FA Cup.

View attachment 35037

Bycel Metals is my old man's business. Still trading as CN Metals.

 

[LBBlue]

Glowing tribute in the local Canadian press:

https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scoti...d-valley-soccer-icon-tony-bentley-passes-away

 

[LBBlue]

I remember the expectation when he came to us from Stoke as (I think but it was a long time ago) a right winger. Is it my imagination or when at Stoke had he understudied the immortal Stanley Matthews?

In my early teens at school in Henley on Thames I was the only Southend supporter in a sea of Reading fans and for me Southend's away game to Reading was the highlight of the football season. I can remember going to the old Elm Park to watch the Blues vs Reading where sadly we hardly raised a yelp in a 3-1 defeat. An abiding memory in what may have been Tony Bentley's first game at right back was a spectacular goal struck into the top corner from well outside the eighteen yard box. That did lift my spirits that night and immediately made Tony one of my favourite players.

He played for the Blues for several more seasons and his wholehearted efforts ensuring he became a Blues legend.

RIP Tony Bentley. You will never be forgotten by those who saw you wear the Blue shirt.

My condolences to his family.

The link with Sir Stanley Matthews is that selling Tony to us enabled Stoke to buy back Matthews from Blackpool for £3500 at the ripe old age of 46…

 

[Dacx]

It is with heavy heart, I announce the passing of my friend and yours, Tony Bentley. So while listening to one of Tony’s favorite songs, Danny Boy, I raise a glass in toast to Tony.
When obit is out, will share link in this forum.

To Tony.

Tony (Anthony) Bentley - White Family Funeral Home

It is with great sadness that the family of Tony Bentley, age 84, of Kentville, announce his peaceful passing on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Valley Hospice, Kentville, surrounded by his family. He was the son of the ...

www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com

 

[Dacx]

It is with heavy heart, I announce the passing of my friend and yours, Tony Bentley. So while listening to one of Tony’s favorite songs, Danny Boy, I raise a glass in toast to Tony.
When obit is out, will share link in this forum.

To Tony.

Tony (Anthony) Bentley - White Family Funeral Home

It is with great sadness that the family of Tony Bentley, age 84, of Kentville, announce his peaceful passing on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Valley Hospice, Kentville, surrounded by his family. He was the son of the ...

www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com

 

[BARNETBLUE]

My Dad told me he once had a brief chat with Tony regarding how he got on with ARTHUR ROWLEY and he said to him something along the lines of "I play my best, not because of the manager but in spite of the manager!"

Proper player, and always consistent. I'm sad to hear this news,

RIP Tony

 

[Whispering Bob]

Glowing tribute in the local Canadian press:

https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scoti...d-valley-soccer-icon-tony-bentley-passes-away

That was a beautiful article.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Former teammate pays heartfelt tribute to Southend United legend after death at 84 (Image: Southend United)

By Michael Robinson. Trainee Reporter. 23rd Dec 2024.

A FORMER teammate has paid tribute to a Southend United legend who made more than 400 appearances for the club.

Tony Bentley, who made 419 appearances for the Shrimpers during a 10-year spell predominately at right back, died at the age of 84 on Wednesday.

Bentley holds a special place in the history of the club as the fourth highest appearance holder, behind Alan Moody, Sandy Anderson and current manager Kevin Maher.

Tony Bentley (Image: Southend United Archives)

Frankie Banks, 79, who came up through the ranks of the Blues and played in the same position as Tony, hailed him as a legend who had a massive influence on his footballing career.

“He was a bit of a joker, he was the life and soul of the team, he helped me a great deal in my early career,” Frankie said.

“Tony was always there to give you advice and when you played with him, he would always be telling you where to go, and what to do.

“I looked up to him, he’d let me know what I couldn’t do. He helped me become the player I was and took me under his wing.”

In action - Tony Bentley (Image: Southend United Archives)

Tony always had time for him and his fellow academy players, teaching them the ropes, according to Frankie.

He made his Southend debut at the start of the 1961 season in an attacking position before transitioning into more of a defensive role, becoming a cornerstone of many iconic Southend United teams during the 1960s.

He was later voted the inaugural player of the year at the end of the 1965/66 season.
Frankie, who began in Southend United’s academy at the age of 13, said Tony would often protect him on the pitch and would never let any nonsense against him slide.

Contest - Tony Bentley on the run (Image: Southend United Archives)

“I always found him to be caring, he was very helpful, informative, great to play with, and quite a strong player,” Frankie explained.

“He was tough. A tough tackler, tenacious, hated losing like we all do, there aren’t many characters like him in the game now, he was a proper leader.

“He’ll be missed by all those who knew him. He should be remembered with great fondness by people who have supported us for all these years.

“I would say he is one of the legends here.”

 

[Evening Echo]

A former teammate has paid tribute to a Southend United legend following his passing last week

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links

 

[LBBlue]

When Tony retired he was actually the player with the second highest number of appearances with Alan Moody and Kevin Maher overtaking him and Sandy Anderson.

Before he joined us he had scored 9 goals in 13 Second Division games in 1959/60 and played 35 games scoring 6 times in 1960/61. Stoke then sacked their manager and appointed Tony Waddington who sold Tony to us and a couple of months later signed Stanley Matthews to play right wing at Stoke.

As I was only 9 when he signed I’m having to rely on “The Official History of The Blues” and back in the day when players played in the position of the shirt, Tony’s first 20 odd games were on the right wing. He then finished that season at Right Half (4).

The next three seasons he wore the 4 shirt at right half ( the 6 was usually the second centre half ) with the odd game at full back. He only missed 5 games in those three seasons. We finished 8th 14th and 12th and Ted Fenton was sacked. Oh for mid table mediocrity in Division 3.

It wasn’t really until 65/66 when he moved to 2 shirt and right back under Alvan Williams. Tony played in all 52 games, was voted the first Player of the Season, but we got relegated. Another 48 games in 66/67, missing only 1.

At some point, I can’t remember when, I recall Tony got a reputation for scoring direct from free kicks on the edge of the box - smashing them as hard as he could. We’d get a free kick and his name would be chanted.

So Ernie Shepherd took over and 67/68 was a fantastic season until the final 9 game slump. Tony missed 12 games through injury and maybe had to play too soon after his injury as players were dropping like flies. He came back in for the last 8 games.

68/69 the most fun season ever ( apart from losing home games) Tony missed just one game.

69/70 - He played just the first 13 league and cup games and missed the rest of the season with injury to a disc in his back which needed an operation

70/71 with Arthur Rowley in charge he came back for the start of the season. Keith Lindsey had come in at right back. He played 31 games, but only 3 of the last 15 as Rowley developed the team that wins promotion the following season.

Tony’s last game was on 3rd May in a 1-1 draw at home to Lincoln with a crowd of 4523.

Attached is a piece about him from the programme first game of the season (vSouthport) in his last season 70/71, which says he has been granted another testimonial. Fortunately he didn’t have his testimonial game until the end of the following season when I think over 11,000 turned up for the game against Stoke. Hopefully he made a bob or two.

Someone who played for the blues from when I was 9 through my teens. He is described in the book as a “wholehearted” player which he certainly was - a true gentleman footballer. I think he was Club Captain for 5 Seasons.

One of the Roberts, Bentley, Birks, Slack, May, Beanland who lined up like that 33 times in 1966/67, including 25 games in succession. Squad rotation? Who needed it.


RIP Tony

 

[Dacx]

It is with heavy heart, I announce the passing of my friend and yours, Tony Bentley. So while listening to one of Tony’s favorite songs, Danny Boy, I raise a glass in toast to Tony.
When obit is out, will share link in this forum.

To Tony.

In just over 3hrs time, at 1PM AST, there will be a telecasted service for Tony. I hope this link will work, if you so wish to view.

Vimeo

Join the web’s most supportive community of creators and get high-quality tools for hosting, sharing, and streaming videos in gorgeous HD with no ads.

vimeo.com

I have shared many posts and tributes from this forum, to some of Tony’s close friends in Nova Scotia.

This will be my last post.

John Simpson

 

[Dacx]

When Tony retired he was actually the player with the second highest number of appearances with Alan Moody and Kevin Maher overtaking him and Sandy Anderson.

Before he joined us he had scored 9 goals in 13 Second Division games in 1959/60 and played 35 games scoring 6 times in 1960/61. Stoke then sacked their manager and appointed Tony Waddington who sold Tony to us and a couple of months later signed Stanley Matthews to play right wing at Stoke.

As I was only 9 when he signed I’m having to rely on “The Official History of The Blues” and back in the day when players played in the position of the shirt, Tony’s first 20 odd games were on the right wing. He then finished that season at Right Half (4).

The next three seasons he wore the 4 shirt at right half ( the 6 was usually the second centre half ) with the odd game at full back. He only missed 5 games in those three seasons. We finished 8th 14th and 12th and Ted Fenton was sacked. Oh for mid table mediocrity in Division 3.

It wasn’t really until 65/66 when he moved to 2 shirt and right back under Alvan Williams. Tony played in all 52 games, was voted the first Player of the Season, but we got relegated. Another 48 games in 66/67, missing only 1.

At some point, I can’t remember when, I recall Tony got a reputation for scoring direct from free kicks on the edge of the box - smashing them as hard as he could. We’d get a free kick and his name would be chanted.

So Ernie Shepherd took over and 67/68 was a fantastic season until the final 9 game slump. Tony missed 12 games through injury and maybe had to play too soon after his injury as players were dropping like flies. He came back in for the last 8 games.

68/69 the most fun season ever ( apart from losing home games) Tony missed just one game.

69/70 - He played just the first 13 league and cup games and missed the rest of the season with injury to a disc in his back which needed an operation

70/71 with Arthur Rowley in charge he came back for the start of the season. Keith Lindsey had come in at right back. He played 31 games, but only 3 of the last 15 as Rowley developed the team that wins promotion the following season.

Tony’s last game was on 3rd May in a 1-1 draw at home to Lincoln with a crowd of 4523.

Attached is a piece about him from the programme first game of the season (vSouthport) in his last season 70/71, which says he has been granted another testimonial. Fortunately he didn’t have his testimonial game until the end of the following season when I think over 11,000 turned up for the game against Stoke. Hopefully he made a bob or two.

Someone who played for the blues from when I was 9 through my teens. He is described in the book as a “wholehearted” player which he certainly was - a true gentleman footballer. I think he was Club Captain for 5 Seasons.

One of the Roberts, Bentley, Birks, Slack, May, Beanland who lined up like that 33 times in 1966/67, including 25 games in succession. Squad rotation? Who needed it.


RIP TonyView attachment 35081View attachment 35082

Thank you

 

[Dacx]

When Tony retired he was actually the player with the second highest number of appearances with Alan Moody and Kevin Maher overtaking him and Sandy Anderson.

Before he joined us he had scored 9 goals in 13 Second Division games in 1959/60 and played 35 games scoring 6 times in 1960/61. Stoke then sacked their manager and appointed Tony Waddington who sold Tony to us and a couple of months later signed Stanley Matthews to play right wing at Stoke.

As I was only 9 when he signed I’m having to rely on “The Official History of The Blues” and back in the day when players played in the position of the shirt, Tony’s first 20 odd games were on the right wing. He then finished that season at Right Half (4).

The next three seasons he wore the 4 shirt at right half ( the 6 was usually the second centre half ) with the odd game at full back. He only missed 5 games in those three seasons. We finished 8th 14th and 12th and Ted Fenton was sacked. Oh for mid table mediocrity in Division 3.

It wasn’t really until 65/66 when he moved to 2 shirt and right back under Alvan Williams. Tony played in all 52 games, was voted the first Player of the Season, but we got relegated. Another 48 games in 66/67, missing only 1.

At some point, I can’t remember when, I recall Tony got a reputation for scoring direct from free kicks on the edge of the box - smashing them as hard as he could. We’d get a free kick and his name would be chanted.

So Ernie Shepherd took over and 67/68 was a fantastic season until the final 9 game slump. Tony missed 12 games through injury and maybe had to play too soon after his injury as players were dropping like flies. He came back in for the last 8 games.

68/69 the most fun season ever ( apart from losing home games) Tony missed just one game.

69/70 - He played just the first 13 league and cup games and missed the rest of the season with injury to a disc in his back which needed an operation

70/71 with Arthur Rowley in charge he came back for the start of the season. Keith Lindsey had come in at right back. He played 31 games, but only 3 of the last 15 as Rowley developed the team that wins promotion the following season.

Tony’s last game was on 3rd May in a 1-1 draw at home to Lincoln with a crowd of 4523.

Attached is a piece about him from the programme first game of the season (vSouthport) in his last season 70/71, which says he has been granted another testimonial. Fortunately he didn’t have his testimonial game until the end of the following season when I think over 11,000 turned up for the game against Stoke. Hopefully he made a bob or two.

Someone who played for the blues from when I was 9 through my teens. He is described in the book as a “wholehearted” player which he certainly was - a true gentleman footballer. I think he was Club Captain for 5 Seasons.

One of the Roberts, Bentley, Birks, Slack, May, Beanland who lined up like that 33 times in 1966/67, including 25 games in succession. Squad rotation? Who needed it.


RIP TonyView attachment 35081View attachment 35082

Thank You