Mark Bentley was part of the 2009 promotion-winning team

by Luke Cawdell

Mark Bentley believes he leaves Gillingham with his "head held high" after his departure this summer ends a five-year spell at the club.

Bentley amassed just short of 200 appearances during his time at Priestfield, but was one of eight players released by manager Andy Hessenthaler in the wake of Gills’ failed promotion attempt.

He is among hundreds of other professional footballers in the scramble to find employment before pre-season begins at the start of July.

"It’s been a total rollercoaster," said the 33-year-old, who experienced one promotion and two relegations in his spell at Priestfield.

"We were such a kamikaze team. We would go and win three or four-nil one week and the next we were losing five or six away from home.

"My aim at the start of last season was to make 200 appearances, that would have been fantastic on a personal note. I was five short and that was the most disappointing thing about leaving.

"But I know I can leave the club with my head held high and knowing that I performed 100 per cent in every game I played. I had some good times at the club."

Bentley, a father of two, now has to find himself a new club. With no agent, he has been putting in his own phone calls to managers and hopes to hear back from some of them soon.

He knows he isn’t alone in the hunt for a new club.

"I haven’t been in this situation before, it’s new to me, and looking on the PFA transfer list there are already hundreds of people out there," he said.

"I haven’t got age on my side, but I have a lot of experience. I am confident in my own ability that I could certainly play at League 2 level. It’s just about getting that opportunity and turning a manager’s head."

For the full Mark Bentley interview read this Friday's Medway Messenger newspaper.

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