Southport appoint ex-Morecambe, Fylde, Rochdale manager who is ‘relishing task at hand’

Southport appoint ex-Morecambe, Fylde, Rochdale manager Jim Bentley who is ‘relishing the task at hand’ as the club struggle in the league.

They currently sit bottom of the National League North table, with 0 wins, 1 draw and 5 defeat from six games, leaving them with one point.

Porm form led to the departure of Liam Watson, who becamethe first managerial casualty of the 2023/24 season following an awful start losing big at Warrington and Spennymoor along with a 3-1 defeat to Alfreton.

✍️ We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Bentley as our new First Team Manager.

— Southport Football Club (@southport_fc) August 29, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Bentley as our new permanent manager.

Jim brings a wealth of experience to the club with managerial experience at Morecambe where at one time he was the longest serving manager in the Football League, AFC Fylde and Rochdale.

He is coming in at a difficult time after a poor start to the season but is relishing the task on hand.

A larger than life character who is certain to give 100% to the job and will demand that from everyone involved.

Chairman Ian Kyle said, “We are really pleased that Jim is coming on Board and looking forward to seeing him stamp his personality throughout the club. He is aware of the challenges that he faces after the poor start but, having spoken to him at length since Liam stepped aside we are certain we have the right man in place to move us forward. It is an exciting appointment for Southport and I hope everyone will give Jim a special welcome when we introduce him to the home fans at our game against Scarborough next Tuesday. A special thanks to Andy and Morgs for stepping in in the interim period”

Rob caught up with Jim this evening to chat about his career both as a player and as a manager and as you will hear he is certainly going to bring a lot to the club.

Bentley said he is more determined than ever to succeed in management having under-gone heart surgery in 2020 he says his time away from football has left him hungrier than ever.

“I got a phone call from Liam Watson after he stepped aside and he asked if I was interested,” he explains. “Since then it’s followed on, I was at the game against Chorley on Monday, and now here I am.

“It might get worse before it gets better, but we don’t know what’s around the corner. We’ve got to pull together – fans, players and staff. We need to work on our weaknesses and play to our strengths. We’ve got to find ways to win matches quickly.

“I want to be successful, I want to rebuild myself again. I’ve had health issues and hopefully we can find a way together to be successful. Southport is a fantastic club. When things aren’t going well, you know where your true supporters are and we need to all be united in the cause.”

Here’s what fans said as Southport appoint ex-Morecambe, Fylde, Rochdale manager who is ‘relishing the task at hand’…

@richardfallan: Should be awesome at getting his Scouse non league network for part time players at that level. He really should be a Nw based scout for a FL based outfit though. Unreal eye for a player and one’s that have lost their way. You can’t not want the man to succeed.

@NathanAsh66: Not being funny but he was a BIG reason that Rochdale was relegated last season. Have fun Southport 😂

@kie_richards4: Class appointment looks like he can sink 15 pints in the welly with the best of us my manager ❤️

@Feeney1992x: All the best big Jim! Not how any of us wanted it to turn out at Rochdale but was a uphill task from the get go! 💙

@VaniaMorozov15: Good luck Jimbo ❤️

@FyldeMax: 😬😬

@guyc_01: That’s us losing Saturday, new manager bounce and that.

@Chriscottam5: Oh dear 😳

@CestrianJames: Fair play, think this is a great appointment. Should do well with this Southport side – I’d expect them to start climbing the table sooner rather than later.

@LeanneRAFC_x: genuinely wish him all the best and I hope he can do for them what he couldn’t do for us 👏🏼

@ReubenPeacock03: Sad day to be a Southport fan. Awful football from now on but atleast they’ve got an extra bouncer for the club bar.

@DavidPr80311135: Great appointment when you look at his CV. Welcome Jim, you’ve got a job ahead of you!

“He is coming in at a difficult time after a poor start to the season but is relishing the task on hand.” #RAFC https://t.co/DP3a3jK1bC pic.twitter.com/MVXA9CnpAR

— DG (@DGardinerSPUD) August 29, 2023