| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William John Bentley | ||
| Date of birth | 21 October 1947 | ||
| Place of birth | Stoke-on-Trent, England | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1964–1968 | Stoke City | 48 | (1) |
| 1968–1977 | Blackpool | 296 | (10) |
| 1977–1980 | Port Vale | 95 | (0) |
| 1980–1981 | Stafford Rangers | 20 | (1) |
| Total | 459 | (12) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1979 | Port Vale (caretaker-manager) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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William John "Bill" Bentley (born 21 October 1947 in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back.
Beginning his career at Stoke City in 1964, he moved on to Blackpool in 1968. He spent the next nine years with Blackpool, helping them to lift the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1971. He spent 1977 to 1980 at Port Vale, also briefly serving the club as caretaker-manager in 1979. He ended his career at non-league Stafford Rangers in 1981.
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Bentley, a former England Youth international was known for being a tough-tackling defender. This was the source of the "Bill Bentley, Hatchet Man" chant that emanated from the stands during his time at Blackpool.[1]
He began his career with Stoke City, signing as a professional with the club in October 1964, and went on to make 48 league appearances for the Potters.[2][3] The young defender's physique and temperament had caused for him to be likened to John Charles.[4][5]
On 9 January 1969,[1] five months into the 1968–69 season, he joined Blackpool for £30,000. He made his debut for the club two days later, in a 3–2 home defeat by Charlton Athletic. The following season he helped the Seasiders win promotion to the First Division. After they returned whence they had come, he was part of the Blackpool team that won the Anglo-Italian Cup beating Bologna in the final in Rome. He also played as Blackpool were losing finalists to Roma in the 1972 Anglo-Italian Cup final. He also helped the club reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup in 1972–73.[3][6]
On 3 January 1976, Bentley scored a "stunning"[1] winning goal against Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup, his only goal in eleven appearances in the competition for the club.[1]
Bentley remained at Bloomfield Road for eight years. His final appearance came on 7 May 1977, in a 1–1 draw at Hereford United. He made almost 300 league appearances and scored ten goals for Blackpool, for whom he was mostly used as a left-back but also had times playing in midfield.[2]
In July 1977 he was sold to Port Vale, for whom he made 106 appearances over three seasons. He was placed in temporary charge of team affairs in December 1979 after Alan Bloor resigned and before a replacement in John McGrath was found. Despite this he was given a free transfer in May 1980 and moved on to Stafford Rangers, with whom he finished his professional career in 1981. After Rangers he became the player-manager of Fenton British Legion and Foley.[7]
In 2008 Bentley said of his time with Blackpool:[2]
| “ | It was close to eight years I spent with the club. It was brilliant. When I put the tangerine shirt on I grew another foot. I wasn't bothered about anyone else. The Blackpool supporters really took me to heart. Even when I go back now I'm always made very, very welcome. That's always stayed with me and it's something special. | ” |
Bentley is now a window cleaner in the Trentham area of his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent.[2][6]
Blackpool
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