Mark Bentley admits to leaving Southend in the summer of 2006 to find first team football and many Shrimpers believe he could have helped prevent relegation from the Championship that season as he was never adequatley replaced.
He spoke to www.kentonline.co.uk about what still motivates him: "I know I can't afford to take my foot off the gas. We've got a good squad and one bad game could mean I'm back on the bench like I was at the end of last season. That was the worst time in my career. To miss the Wembley game played on me a bit but I have to focus on doing well in League 1 now."
Mark went on to mention another ex-Blues player, this one kept him out of the Gillingham side!
He continued: "I was playing in the team up to the beginning of April and then had a dip in form. Garry Richards came in and he did well. There are some players on the bench now who are desperate to play and it's down to me to keep them out of the side. I know what it's like to be on the bench."
The Bentley Files
Full name Mark James Bentley Date of birth 7 January 1978 (1978-01-07) Place of birth Hertford, England Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position Midfielder/Defender Club information Current club Gillingham Number 8 Senior career1 Years Club App (Gls)* 1998-1999
1999-2002
2002-2003
2003-2006
2003-2004
2006-Enfield
Aldershot Town
Gravesend & Northfleet
Southend United
→ Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
Gillingham26 (2)
68 (14)
27 (7)
93 (12)
25 (6)
128 (8)[1]
1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 24 October 2009 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)
(Player info from Wikipedia, for the full article, go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Bentley)