Legendary Telford United striker Jack Bentley has died in hospital after a short illness. Mr Bentley, who was 65, died on Saturday, having been in hospital for a little over a week.
He enjoyed 14 years at the Bucks Head from 1963, playing for Wellington Town and Telford United and scoring a remarkable 431 goals in 835 appearances.
His best season came in 1971/72 when he netted 52 goals in the Southern League premier division.
His son Jim also went on to play for the club and is now at Morecambe, helping them win promotion to the Football League at Wembley last week.
Today, former Telford United secretary Mike Ferriday paid tribute to the man universally recognised as the greatest ever to pull on the Lilywhite shirt.
“Jack left in 1977 and I only became secretary in 1980 but I knew him from prior to that because of my involvement with the supporters’ club and various things,” said Mr Ferriday. “This is terrible news as he was still relatively young.
“He was a true Wellington Town and Telford legend. That word is used too frequently these days, but for Jack it is apt.
“He was one of the best players the club has had, and probably ever will have.”
Mr Bentley retained ties with the club even after he was released by then manager Geoff Hurst in 1977, and was made a life president at AFC Telford United.
His last appearance in a Telford shirt was in the ‘Legends’ match in 2004, when a side of former Telford greats played against the cast of Sky’s football soap opera Dream Team.
“Jack and Jim played in the same team that day,” added Mr Ferriday.
8 Comments
This is a very sad news. He was my footballing hero as a boy and I remember well the season he scored 52 goals.I still have a treasured signed photograph commorating his achievement.
God rest gentleman Jim and thank you for some of my happiest boyhood meories.
Very sad news when any legend dies. Pity he never got to see Jim play in the League. Deepest sympathy to Jim, family and friends
Shrewsbury Town Fan
God bless Jack. This is very sad news indeed. A true gentleman and a proper footballer. Lets hope the club can think of a fitting way to pay tribue to the greatest player Telford UTD has ever had.
Sorry to hear about Jack, truly your best ever servant…… Shrewsbury fan
Jack Bentley,a great footballer and perfect gentleman.A true legend who should never be forgotten by Wellington Town/Telford United/AFC Telford supporters. He was to Telford what Arthur Rowley was to Shrewsbury.
As a Shrewsbury Town supporter I remember the tussles we had with the All Whites very ably lead in the forward line by Jack Bentley.
Jack was certainly a star turn and was always the one that the Salop supporters loved to hate, because he was so good, when playing against the Shrews, usually in the Shropshire Senior Cup. I certainly also have some very fond memories of watching games on the old Bucks Head ground with my father and also my uncle Syd Davies, who kept the Park Hotel. Those were the days.
So sorry to hear of your passing Jack, but I am sure that you will keep pumping the ball hard into those clouds in the sky.
A sad sad day on our 3rd birthday.
You will be remembered fondly Jack in the Nadal household.
A statue on the corner of the Hutch is the only suitable lasting memory.
The saddest day in all the years of watching my home town team was the news of the passing of Jack Bentley a previlage to have seen every match he played and every goal he scored, a gentleman and a honour to have called him a friend.
Thanks Big Jack.