Telford legend Jim Bentley almost joined Shrewsbury instead

Morecambe boss Bentley, who faces off against Paul Hurst’s Town in the FA Cup second round tomorrow, played 181 times across five years for Telford.

Bentley, who signed in 1997, was officially named a club legend in 2011, following in the footsteps of his father Jack.

“I had a great five years at Telford. It was a place that, with my dad playing there for 15 years, was always ingrained into me, going back into the 80s when we had Teletext and Ceefax,” he said.

“After the Everton result it was always to see how Telford had got on. Myself and Ken McKenna (Morecambe assistant and ex-Telford player), we both had five years there, with good links with Telford and the surrounding area.

“There’s a rivalry between Telford and Shrewsbury. I actually nearly signed for Shrewsbury when I left Man City, Jake King was the manager.

“I went on trial, played a few reserve games and ended up going to Telford.”

Bentley has spent six-and-a-half years as boss at Morecambe, the club he spent nine years with after leaving Telford.

“I’m sure a few Telford fans might travel over,” he added.

“My mother still goes and visits friends there. I had a great time there.”

“It’s changed a bit unfortunately with Telford having a lot of problems over the last few years.

“They were part-time, then full-time with me, then part-time, then they folded and came back as AFC.

“The ground’s still there, the same area, it’s nice to go back and see familiar faces.

“I remember going as a kid at the old Bucks Head, watching charity games my dad was in. He’d finished (playing) by the time I could remember things.

“But I know it well and I had a great time there. It’s close to my heart, myself and Kenny always look for the result.”