R.I.P Tony Bentley

[Fairport]

Oh dear another Shrimpers legend passes on. Always a 100 per cent player was Tony. RIP

 

[garner&best]

RIP Tony. Absolute legend, always gave 100% and was a true sportsman.

 

[Dacx]

Can you share a link to anything the club posts. Thanks

I can, thanks again.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Unlike Cricko & RHB, Tony was a bit before my time. Never the less, sleep easy dear Shrimper youve earned your stripes.

 

[RHB]

Tony had moved to full back when I first started watching the Blues. Tenacious as a player and a total gentleman off the pitch, RIP Tony.

 

[geoffmundo]

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!

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

Tony Bentley was before my time supporting Southend, but all my older mates always mention him as a legend and one of the players it's a shame I never saw play.

Once a Shrimper always a Shrimper!

RIP Tony Bentley, sleep well.

 

[RHB]

Ironically, Tony had a running style where he was a bit hunched over when he ran and he was often called 'Crab' by some around me. It's ironic because I often hear crab being used again now.

 

[Chrisb]

A great player for us and was in the team when I first started supporting - a true gentleman of the game.
RIP Tony.

 

[tsbl2000]

Another of the heroes of my youth, who were kind enough to sign autographs for me, has gone. Rest in peace Tony, you never gave anything less than 100%. Thank you.

 

[Zeuss]

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.

 

[blues exile]

Ironically, Tony had a running style where he was a bit hunched over when he ran and he was often called 'Crab' by some around me. It's ironic because I often hear crab being used again now.

Exactly how I picture him whether in his early days down the right wing or as the tenacious right back he became. Never saw him shirk a tackle or give less than 100%. To use that overworked and often unjustified epithet, for once 'legend' is an apt description.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Another of my childhood memories sadly passes. In a time when the number of a shirt meant so much and would be associated with the truly great players at your club.....Tony was forever that No 2 right back during his time. One of the greats in nearly 60 years of following the club

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

I still believe the main reason we lost 4-0 to that club up the A12 in Nov 68, was because both Tony Bentley & his fellow Left Back Graham Birks were both injured & missed that game.

 

[Ingrave Shrimper]

Really sad news. Apart from watching him at Roots Hall he was my PE/games master at
Thorpe Hall School.
Lovely man and managed to catch up with him on his last visit to the stadium .
RIP Tony

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

I still believe the main reason we lost 4-0 to that club up the A12 in Nov 68, was because both Tony Bentley & his fellow Left Back Graham Birks were both injured & missed that game.

Possibly....it didn't help that Owen Simpson thrashed a goal from 30 yards never to be repeated!

Bentley and Neal was the first SUFC full-back pairing I saw. I think Tony took over from Lou Costello, and remained a deserved fixture throughout the 60s.

 

[Billericay Dickie]

So very sad. A true great of this football club, and my favourite player in my early days of watching The Shrimpers. R.I.P.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Rip Tony, remember as a young lad watching him in a blues shirt. A great player and an even better man

 

[stewart]

R.I.P. Tony Bentley condolensces to his family and friends, When one talks about legends of the club in this case its so very true. He ranks in my mind along side 3 others of my time ,Sam McCrory, Roy Hollis and Harry Threadgold. True Legends of SUFC.

 

[Cricko]

Bill Garner
When I first joined Southend United Tony was current player, although at the time he was recovering from a serious back injury who I found to be a lovely man. He was full of humour and a joy to be with. As a young player Tony made feel part of the club. I will always be grateful and proud to have been a friend of Tony's. "Rest in peace"