Dan Bentley (footballer)

Dan Bentley
Bentley playing for Brentford in 2017
Personal information
Full name Daniel Ian Bentley[1]
Date of birth (1993-07-13) 13 July 1993 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Basildon, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper[4]
Team information
Current team
 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Number 25
Youth career
Hutton Medway
2001–2008 Arsenal
2008–2009 Southend United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2016 Southend United 141 (0)
2011 → Braintree Town (loan) 2 (0)
2016–2019 Brentford 123 (0)
2019–2023 Bristol City 137 (0)
2023– Wolverhampton Wanderers 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:20, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

Daniel Ian Bentley (born 13 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has played in the English Football League for Southend United, Brentford and Bristol City.

Career

[edit]

Southend United

[edit]
Bentley playing for Southend United in 2014

Bentley was born in Basildon, Essex[5] and began his career as a centre back with hometown club Hutton Medway.[6] A one-off appearance as a goalkeeper was witnessed by an Arsenal scout,[6] who brought Bentley to the club's academy at age eight.[7] He was released in 2008 and quickly signed for Southend United,[7] with whom he started his apprenticeship in March 2009.[8] Bentley was sent out on loan to Conference South club Braintree Town initially on cover for one match.[8] However, he ended up staying and made two appearances for the club against Welling United and Dover Athletic. He was given his first professional contract in the summer of 2011, on a two-year deal.[9] He made his first-team debut for the Shrimpers on 22 October 2011 in a 4–1 win over Torquay United, replacing the injured Glenn Morris in the second half.[10]

Following an injury to first choice Southend United goalkeeper Paul Smith, Bentley was called upon to deputise and played in his first run of first-team matches in the 2012–13 season, making his full debut for Southend on 22 September 2012 against Exeter City, a match Southend won 2–1.[11] Bentley went on to play further matches against Plymouth, and Burton Albion before Paul Smith returned to full fitness.[citation needed]

Bentley continued to play in cup matches, and developed a reputation for being a good penalty saver. As a consequence, with a Football League Trophy southern area semi-final against Oxford United seemingly heading to Penalties, Southend manager Paul Sturrock substituted starting goalkeeper Paul Smith for Bentley in the 90th minute, provoking an angry reaction from Smith.[12] Bentley went on to save Alfie Potter's spot kick and Southend won 5–3 on penalties, progressing to the Southern area final. Sturrock justified the decision by stating "Bentley has been fantastic at penalties all his career, and it worked, he saved one".[13]

2013–14 season

[edit]

Bentley kept 19 clean sheets during the 2013–14 season. His impressive performances linked him with a move to Leeds United with Leeds' manager Brian McDermott watching Bentley in Southend's 3–0 win against Rochdale on Good Friday.[14] After being linked with a move to Leeds, Bentley proclaimed that he would not let the speculation of a potential move affect his performances.[15]

2014–15 season

[edit]

Over the summer of 2014 Bentley was linked with moves to Premier League clubs, but eventually remained at Southend, and in the early part of the following season he was considered for the England U21s, however he was not selected.[16]

In the 2014–15 season, Bentley broke Mervyn Cawston's club record of 10 consecutive home clean sheets with 12 in a row between October and April.[17]

Southend made it the play-off final at Wembley Stadium where they played against Wycombe Wanderers. The match was goalless after 90 minutes, however 5 minutes into extra-time Wycombe took the lead through an own goal from Bentley. A free kick from Joe Jacobson hit the crossbar before rebounding off of the diving Bentley's back into the goal. However, with 20 seconds remaining, Southend took the match to a penalty shoot-out, in which Bentley was the hero after saving penalties from Matt Bloomfield and Sam Wood, meaning that Southend won promotion to League One.[18]

The season was full of accolades for Bentley, winning all three of the club's end of season awards – supporters' player, players' player and community player of the year.[19] He was named the Football League Young Player of the Month for April 2015[20] and made the League Two PFA Team of the Year along with teammate Ben Coker.[21]

2015–16 season

[edit]

In the 2015 summer transfer window Bentley was subject of three bids from Queens Park Rangers, the 3rd and final offer being £1.25m which Southend chairman Ron Martin rejected.[citation needed]

On 31 August 2015 Bentley produced a man of the match performance away at Coventry City in a 2–2, the fine display including a penalty save. Bentley remained a Southend United player when the transfer window closed on 1 September.[citation needed]

Brentford

[edit]

On 1 July 2016, Bentley signed for Championship club Brentford on a four-year contract with a compensation fee of £1.1 million. The fee would rise if Bentley reaches a certain number of appearances.[22][23]

Bristol City

[edit]

Bentley signed for Bristol City on 28 June 2019 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[24] During his stay at Bristol City he was appointed club captain by manager Nigel Pearson.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

[edit]

Bentley signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers on 25 January 2023 for an undisclosed fee.[25] He made his debut on 13 May in a 2–0 defeat away to Manchester United in the 2022–23 Premier League.[26] His home debut came the following weekend in a 1–1 draw with Everton.[27]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 2 March 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Southend United 2009–10[28] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010–11[29] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[30] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012–13[31] League Two 9 0 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 11 0
2013–14[32] League Two 46 0 4 0 1 0 2[b] 0 53 0
2014–15[33] League Two 42 0 1 0 0 0 4[c] 0 47 0
2015–16[34] League One 43 0 1 0 1 0 3[a] 0 48 0
Total 141 0 7 0 2 0 10 0 160 0
Braintree Town (loan) 2010–11[35] Conference South 2 0 — — — 2 0
Brentford 2016–17[36] Championship 45 0 2 0 0 0 — 47 0
2017–18[37] Championship 45 0 0 0 0 0 — 45 0
2018–19[38] Championship 33 0 0 0 0 0 — 33 0
Total 123 0 2 0 0 0 — 125 0
Bristol City 2019–20[39] Championship 43 0 1 0 1 0 — 45 0
2020–21[40] Championship 43 0 1 0 1 0 — 45 0
2021–22[41] Championship 38 0 0 0 0 0 — 38 0
2022–23[42] Championship 13 0 0 0 2 0 — 15 0
Total 137 0 2 0 4 0 — 143 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2022–23[42] Premier League 2 0 — — — 2 0
2023–24[43] Premier League 3 0 0 0 2 0 — 5 0
Total 5 0 0 0 2 0 — 7 0
Career total 408 0 11 0 8 0 10 0 437 0
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  3. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy, three in League Two play-offs

Honours

[edit]

Southend United

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Daniel Bentley: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Dan Bentley". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Dan Bentley". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Daniel Bentley". Bristol City F.C. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b Moore, Tom. "How a chance holiday changed the life of Dan Bentley". getwestlondon. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Scout – Daniel Bentley". Sky Sports. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Daniel Bentley joins Braintree Town on loan but back for Anfield!". 4 February 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Southend United contract a dream – Bentley". BBC Sport. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  10. ^ Phillips, Chris (23 October 2011). "Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley insists he's ready for chance". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  11. ^ Phillips, Chris (19 September 2012). "Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley hopes to make full debut against Exeter City". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Paul Smith sorry for Southend United 'antics'". 10 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Southend manager Paul Sturrock defends JPT keeper swap". 9 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Leeds United: Mac and squad are waiting for Cellino". Yorkshire Evening Post. Leeds. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  15. ^ Phillips, Chris (25 April 2014). "Southend United's Daniel Bentley not distracted by Leeds United rumours". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  16. ^ Phillips, Chris (26 August 2014). "England send scouts to see Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Southend United: Record-breaker Daniel Bentley relieved". BBC Sport. 15 April 2015.
  18. ^ a b Shepka, Phil (23 May 2015). "Southend United 1–1 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  19. ^ a b c d "Season awards review from Saturday's game". Southend United F.C. 27 April 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  20. ^ a b "Southend United's Daniel Bentley named Football League Young Player of the Month". The Football League. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  21. ^ a b "League Two Team of the Year: Matt Grimes in after Exeter stint". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  22. ^ Phillips, Chris (17 January 2017). "Blues to receive an initial £1.1million from Brentford for Bentley". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Brentford: Daniel Bentley, John Egan & Romaine Sawyers join the Bees". BBC Sport. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  24. ^ Crawley, James (28 June 2019). "Bentley completes Robins move". Bristol City F.C. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Dan Bentley: Wolves sign Bristol City keeper". BBC Sport. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  26. ^ Rose, Gary (13 May 2023). "Manchester United 2–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hosts strengthen top-four bid with win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  27. ^ McNulty, Phil (20 May 2023). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Everton: Yerry Mina's 99th-minute equaliser rescues point for struggling Toffees". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  31. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  35. ^ "D. Bentley: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  37. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  38. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  43. ^ "Games played by Daniel Bentley in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Starting Lineups - Crewe vs Southend". Sky Sports. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  45. ^ "Club Records – Brisol City". Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dan Bentley.
  • Profile at the Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. website
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dan_Bentley_(footballer)&oldid=1254416483"