Bill Bentley

Stoke City

Bentley began his career as an apprentice with Stoke City, joining the club straight from school at age 15. He signed as a professional with the club in October 1964. He made five First Division appearances in 1965–66 and seven appearances in 1966–67, before breaking into Tony Waddington's first-team plans during the 1967–68 campaign, when he played a total of 37 games for the "Potters". The young defender's physique and temperament had won him comparisons to John Charles. However, Bentley fell out with Waddington after finding himself out of the first XI for an extended period.

Blackpool

On 9 January 1969, five months into the 1968–69 season, Bentley joined Stan Mortensen's Blackpool for £30,000. Two days later, he debuted for the club in a 3–2 home defeat by Charlton Athletic. The following season he helped the "Seasiders" win promotion to the First Division as runners-up of the Second Division under new manager Les Shannon. However, they were immediately relegated in 1970–71. He was part of the Blackpool team that won the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1971, beating Bologna in the final at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. Blackpool finished sixth in 1971–72 under Bob Stokoe's stewardship, but reached the 1972 Anglo-Italian Cup final at the Stadio Olimpico, where they were beaten by Roma. They dropped to seventh place in 1972–73 under new boss Harry Potts, but reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup. Blackpool finished fifth in 1973–74, missing out on…

Bentley, a former England Youth international, was known for being a tough-tackling defender. This was the source of the "Bill Bentley, Hatchet Man" chant that emanated from the stands during his time at Blackpool.

Club

Managerial

William John Bentley was born on 21 October 1947 in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent and attended St Gregory's School. He played for Stoke-on-Trent schoolboys, winning two consecutive national titles in a side that included Terry Alcock, Clint Boulton, John Woodward and Denis Smith. He went on to represent both Staffordshire and England at schoolboy level, and was also capped at England Youth level. After retiring from football he became a window cleaner in the Trentham area of Stoke-on-Trent.