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Mark Bentley joins the blues

Mark Bentley joins the blues

GAFC News31 Aug 2014 - 14:00
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Midfielder joins the squad today

The club are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Mark Bentley.
Bentley started his playing career with Enfield in August 1998, later moving to Aldershot Town, Gravesend & Northfleet (where he won Player of the Year in 2002–03) and Dagenham & Redbridge. On 15 January 2004 he stepped up to the Football League when he signed for Southend United, where he made 93 league appearances including 23 as a sub. He also scored 12 league goals including five in his last season at Roots Hall and was involved in two consecutive promotions.

He was offered a new one-year contract to stay at Southend, but opted to go for the security of a two-year deal at Gillingham, signing for them on 22 May 2006.

Bentley made his debut in the 2–1 home win over Huddersfield Town on 5 August and scored his first goal away to Bradford City in a 4–2 defeat on 12 August.

He was runner up in the club's 2006–07 player of the year award behind Andrew Crofts and signed a two-year contract extension in September 2007

After coming second in the Player of the Year awards for the 2009–10 season, Bentley signed a new one-year contract for new manager Andy Hessenthaler with a clause stating that if he played a certain number of games it would be extended for another season, taking him to the end of the 2011–12 season.

In March 2011, Bentley signed for Conference National club Cambridge United on a one-month loan from Gillingham.

On 11 May 2011, Bentley was released by Gillingham after serving five seasons with the club, after the club failed to gain promotion from League Two. He subsequently joined Hayes & Yeading United. Following Jamie Hand's departure to Luton Town in early September, Bentley was appointed club captain.

In June 2013 Bentley signed for Conference South club Boreham Wood. Bentley signed for Wealdstone on October 2013, to help with the club's push for promotion to the Conference South. Bentley left the club by mutual consent in the summer of 2014.

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