Anthony Bentley (20 December 1939 – 18 December 2024) was an English footballer who played as a full-back or forward in the Football League for Stoke City and Southend United. Bentley died on 18 December 2024, at the age of 84.
Career Bentley was born in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, and began his career with local side Stoke City making his senior debut in the 1958–59 season. He played as a forward in 1959–60 scoring nine goals in 13 matches. Under new manager Tony Waddington in 1960–61 he scored six goals in 35 matches but Waddington was seemingly unimpressed by Bentley and he was sold to Third Division side Southend United in July 1961.
The "Shrimpers" manager Ted Fenton converted Bentley into a full-back and he became a consistent performer for the Roots Hall side in the 1960s playing ten seasons for the club racking up 419 appearances. He was given a testimonial match against his old club Stoke in 1966. After his time at Southend he played non-League football with Folkestone Town and Ashford Town (Kent), with whom he made 34 league appearances during season 1974–75, before emigrating to Canada.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City1958–59Second Division2000–201959–60Second Division13900–1391960–61Second Division2866010356Total441560105115Southend United1961–62Third Division41210104321962–63Third Division46120104911963–64Third Division45020104801964–65Third Division42200414611965–66Third Division46132305231966–67Fourth Division46410104841967–68Fourth Division34110203711968–69Fourth Division45340205131969–70Fourth Division7000601301970–71Fourth Division2902010320Total3811415223141917Career total4242921224146932
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