AFC Fylde appoint a temporary new manager ahead of their current boss’ surgery with Jim Bentley needing to have an operation.
The Coasters have started life in the National League North well, sitting second in the table, level on points (9) with leaders Gloucester City, after three games played.
Last weekend was Bentley’s last game in charge, for now, as he has a heart bypass surgery, leaving him out for a lengthy amount of time.
CLUB STATEMENT: Jim Bentley will now enter a period of self-isolation ahead of his operation in November.
Everybody associated with the football club would like to wish Jim all the best with his operation and a speedy recovery.
— AFC Fylde (@AFCFylde) October 25, 2020
A club statement read: AFC Fylde would like to announce that, following today’s FA Cup victory over Altrincham, Jim Bentley will now temporarily pass on managerial duties to Nick Chadwick, to enable Jim to enter a period of self-isolation ahead of his operation on November, 3.
Jim will oversee things from afar for the next week, before turning his focus towards his recovery.
Speaking to afcfylde.co,uk, he said: “I’ve known about the operation for a long time, and I’ll go into a period of self-isolation now. I’ve got a couple of tests coming up and then I’ll have the operation at the start of November.
“I’ve got full trust in the staff that we’ve got here at the minute; Chaddy has been superb, as he had big boots to fill in Kenny McKenna – he’s been my right-hand man for years so I’ve been really fortunate that Chaddy’s come in and been superb. I’ve got full trust in him and all the staff that will support him.
“I will always be at the end of the phone and watching the games during my recovery via the stream; I’ll still be speaking to the players on the phone and dropping them texts here and there to check in on performances and training etc.
“It’s important now that I recover right and do what I need to do. I have to stay away now, but there’s no better time to bow out than after five wins out five, so hopefully that continues.
“The players have been great since they’ve come back, the staff have been superb too. I’ve just had a chat with them all in the changing room about what will be expected of them. We’ve got some good experienced pro’s in Nathan Pond, Chris Neal, David Perkins, Danny Philliskirk, Alex Whitmore, so we will have to lean on them.
“I’ll get my situation sorted and hopefully come back fitter than ever.”
Everybody associated with the football club would like to wish Jim all the best with his operation and a speedy recovery.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
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Since AFC Fylde chose to appoint Nick Chadwick as their temporary new manager, he has watched his side beat Kettering Town 3-2.
He may recall that he used to be a forward, who played for the likes of Everton, Millwall, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Barrow, Stockport, Plymouth and Tamworth.
He retired in 2014, then became a coach for Blackburn Rovers U15s team, then departed for Wigan Athletic’s U18s side in 2016.
Chadwick then joined AFC Fylde in July 2020, leaving his position as Wigan’s Professional Development Phase (PDP) Coach.
Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk after joining the Coasters, Nick said: “I am really delighted to be coming to the club. I got a call from Jim a few weeks ago to see if I fancied it and I definitely did! I know there’s been a few changes at the club and the direction we’re looking to go in, so I want to be part of that.
“This is a great opportunity for me as I have had some great success working with the academy at Wigan so this is now the next sensible step for me to take at a progressive club and be part of a journey, it’s exciting times.
“I have known Jim for quite a few years, we did our A Licence together. We also played together for a short time at Morecambe and got to know each other on a personal and professional level through football so it will be great to now work together.”
On the appointment of Chadiwck, Jim Bentley said: “I’ve known Nick for many years and he’s a great professional, hard working and above all, a good person. After a successful playing career at many different levels.
“He’s now got plenty of experience coaching at U18 and U23 level and has done a fantastic job at Wigan over the past few seasons. I’ve seen him work, he’s highly rated, has produced and improved players and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
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It was in June 2020 that the AFC Fylde manager received messages of support ahead of a much needed heart surgery after he had been experiencing chest pains recently.
“The club will remain in regular contact, supporting our manager in every way it can,” the statement added.
“It is a concerning time for all at Mill Farm as we send our very best wishes to Jim and his family, who is remaining in a positive mindset about the situation whilst receiving the best care possible.
“We ask that Jim and his family have his privacy respected at this time, whilst welcoming the many well wishes already received from the footballing community.”
Bentley managed Morecambe for eight years from 2011 to 2019 after playing for the club, and went on to take charge of Fylde in October last year.
He told the club’s website: “At the start of the year I had some chest pains whilst doing a bit of training. After getting checked out I was told I had a blockage in one of my arteries. I had some more tests and was placed on medication to help my condition.
“Due to the COVID situation, I haven’t been able to get into hospital but I finally went in to Liverpool Chest & Heart hospital this week to have a Coronary Angiogram and stent fitted, but whilst the doctor was carrying out the procedure he noticed that my condition was a bit worse than first thought.
“It was then recommended I have a heart bypass instead. It’s not the news I wanted but I am thankful I got checked out when I did as this could have been a lot worse. I’m looking forward to getting sorted and being back fit doing the job I love as soon as possible.”
AFC Fylde CEO Jonty Castle added: “First and foremost our well wishes are with Jim and that the surgery goes as planned so he makes a speedy recovery. We are in constant contact and he has kept myself and the chairman fully up-to-date with his progress.
“Jim’s a popular figure at Mill Farm amongst the staff, players and the fans so all of us will be looking forward to him returning as soon as he can to lead the club in our 2020/21 campaign. Until his return, we will all be continuing the hard work behind the scenes and giving Jim our full support with anything he may need to help with his recovery.”
He has held the role as Shrimps boss since May 2011, but in October 2019, news came out that he would not be taking training at the League Two but instead saying plenty of goodbyes.
Morecambe were bottom of the League Two table, picking up 10 points in 16 matches before he departed, to join AFC Fylde, who are set to be relegated from the National League with playoffs planned to go ahead at the tier below them, opening up more relegation places.
FINISHING POSITIONS UNDER BENTLEY AT MORECAMBE:
• 2011–12 – 15th of 24
• 2012–13 – 16th of 24
• 2013–14 – 18th of 24
• 2014–15 – 11th of 24
• 2015–16 – 21st of 24
• 2016–17 – 18th of 24
• 2017–18 – 22nd of 24
• 2018–19 – 18th of 24
Fans reacted when AFC Fylde appoint a temporary new manager as current boss Jim Bentley goes to hospital…
All the Morecambe supporters send best wishes for a speedy return and well done today.
— tonymac (@tonymac39093855) October 25, 2020
I also send my best wishes to Jim, as I’m sure many other Morecambe fans will. ??
— John (@johnofmorecambe) October 25, 2020
All the best Jim ??
— Sam Graham (@SamGraham700) October 25, 2020
Best of luck, come back fighting fit ?
— Jack (@Jack_Parky) October 25, 2020
Best wishes Jim. Hope to hear of a successful procedure and speedy recovery ??
— Charlie Tango (@CharlieTangoFM) October 25, 2020
All the best Jim ! ?
— BFC Former Players (@BFC_ExPlayers) October 26, 2020
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