Death of United legend Jack

Legendary Telford United striker Jack Bentley has died in hospital after a short illness. Mr Bentley, who was 65, scored a remarkable 431 goals in 835 appearances, including 52 in a single season. 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. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star

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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.