The future is bright, the future is Bentley: 'This it is a massive achievement for me'

Last updated : 20 May 2011 By westfield shrimper

Daniel Bentley
Daniel Bentley; the new No.2

The 6ft 2in 17-year-old Daniel Bentley has already warmed the first team substitutes bench for 18 games.

He made his under-18's debut in a 5-2 win over Aldershot Town even before signing his scholarship in March 2009 where he is now in his second year.

Bentley went on to feature fifteen times for the under-18s during the 2009/10 season as well as making his debut for the reserve team in February 2010.

He was allowed to drop a couple of tiers and join Braintree Town in February who went on to win the Conference South.

Daniel though only stayed for one game before returning to join the exciting Shrimpers under-18 youth cup run, he's still not 18 until July, which sadly ended earlier this year in such a big defeat at Anfield against Liverpool in the sixth round.

And now the boy Bentley has been offered his first professional contact, for two years no less, not bad for the former pupil of Bromfords comprehensive in the heart of Wickford where he is still based.

Bentley told www.echo-news.co.uk: "To be given a professional contract at Southend was a great feeling and I can't wait to come back in for pre-season. As a young boy I had always dreamed of being a professional footballer and, although I have a long way to go yet, this it is a massive step and a massive achievement for me."

Daniel has yet to actually sign on the dotted line but has verbally agreed to the deal that will hopefully continue to see a bright future for the lad.

Bentley continued: "Next season I want to play as much football as I can, whether that means playing reserve football or going out on loan because experience especially as a goalkeeper is very important. To play in the first team would also be brilliant and again a real achievement and a great experience so hopefully I'll get the opportunity to do that as well next year."

As Glenn Morris can always pick up an injury or suffer a massive loss of form, we would hope not the latter, we may be seeing Daniel between the sticks for the frst team sooner rather than later but a loan deal to a Conference club might be a good thing, Tilly at Lincoln?

Bentley also spoke to BBC Essex: "To be told you're getting a contract to play professional football is mind blowing. I think I might have to find a club to go out on loan to and gain some more experience. The manager might want to bring in an older goalkeeper as back-up to Glenn, but I've gone from being a second year scholar and one of the more senior players at that level to the new boy at school. I just want to take on board as much knowledge and experience as I can from the other players."

Sounds a level headed boy, best of luck mate.

Listen with Daniel:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/9491959.stm

Shot stoppers sorted for Luggy:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
sturrock_smiling_as_shrimpers_shot_stoppers_sorted_
the_squad_is_really_starting_to_take_shape_now_678188/index.shtml


The Bentley Files

Competition
2010/11 Totals
SUFC Career Totals
League
Cup
U18's
Reserves
1st Team
Player
Games
Goals
Games
Goals
Games
Goals
Games
Goals
Games
Goals
Games
Goals
Games
Goals
Daniel BENTLEY
6
0
5
0
5
0
16
0
33
0
8 (1)
0