Memory Lane Tony Bentley

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

For all fans of a certain age it was great to see our former player Tony Bentley at Roots Hall yesterday. Now 76 Tony was playing when I first stated going to Roots Hall in the early sixties. He signed for Blues in May 1961 from Stoke City and went on to play over 400 league & cup matches before joining Folkestone in 1971. He was awarded 2 testimonials both against Stoke City, the first one sadly was when Southend were relegated to the 4th.Division in the 1965-66 season, however the other came at the end of our ever first promotion back in 1971-72, this was attended by over 10,000 fans. Tony has lived in Nova Scotia for many years, but whenever he comes back home to Southend he will always be seen at Roots Hall taking in a match.

 

[Ex-Member1]

Lovely man Tony, spoke to him often, always had time for you. Signed as a winger and later converted to full back. Great servant of our beloved Club. Ran a kiosk on seafront for several years. Nice memories, good to know he is well and about.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Surprised you didn't come in for a DVD for him! :winking:

 

[Sleaford Shrimper]

Good to know he's still around. I think the last time I saw him play was in an away game at the old Darlington Feethams ground when he played in midfield.

 

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

Surprised you didn't come in for a DVD for him! :winking:

"SADLY IT SLIPPED MY MIND", however a couple of other players have asked me for a copy so I will pick them up tomorrow night. xx

 

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

Good to know he's still around. I think the last time I saw him play was in an away game at the old Darlington Feethams ground when he played in midfield.

Tony's last game for the club was at Roots Hall against Lincoln City 1-1 with a goal from Billy Best in May 1971, however his final away match was indeed at Darlington in a 4-0 win in April 1971 with a brace of goals from both Terry Johnson & Bill Garner. In his final season at the club Tony made 31+1 appearances in league & cup. A very versatile player, in that season he appeared in five different positions.

 

[LCBB72]

Tony's last game for the club was at Roots Hall against Lincoln City 1-1 with a goal from Billy Best in May 1971, however his final away match was indeed at Darlington in a 4-0 win in April 1971 with a brace of goals from both Terry Johnson & Bill Garner. In his final season at the club Tony made 31+1 appearances in league & cup. A very versatile player, in that season he appeared in five different positions.

That Lincoln game was the only home game that I missed that night , I went up to White Hart Lane to see Arsenal beat Spurs 1-0 to win the title .

 

[shrimp in orbit]

A great player - terrific shot as well so scored some great goals from outside the penalty area. He was a really solid full back - remember how he kept Don Rogers quiet in our great cup win v Swindon in 1969. A good captain as well.

 

[mfurok]

Coached us in 1969/1970

 

[Napster]

A great player - terrific shot as well so scored some great goals from outside the penalty area. He was a really solid full back - remember how he kept Don Rogers quiet in our great cup win v Swindon in 1969. A good captain as well.

I spoke to him a few years back in the Shrimpers - no-one else knew who he was which was sad. However he said Rogers was the best player he'd played against.

 

[ozzie]

Great to read that a true Blues legend is fit and well,after reading sadly about Phil.Chis & A.M....would loved to have spoken to him.
What has Tony been doing in Nova Scotia??