John Bentley (rugby footballer)

Infobox Rugby Union biography
playername = John Bentley


fullname = John Bentley
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1966|9|5|df=yes
cityofbirth = Dewsbury, Yorkshire
countryofbirth = England
height =
weight =
nickname = Bentos
school =
university =
relatives =
position = Wing
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber = 11
youthyears =
youthclubs = Cleckheaton RUFC
years =
____ ‐ 88
1988 ‐ 92
1992 ‐ 87
1996 ‐ __
clubs = Otley
Sale
Leeds
Halifax
Newcastle
Rotherham
Halifax
Huddersfield
caps(points) =

101 (212)


youthrepyears =
youthrepteam =
youthrepcaps(points) =
repyears = 1988 ‐ 99
1997
1992 ‐ 94
1995 ‐ 96
repteam = England RU
British Lions
Great Britain
England RL
repcaps(points) = 4

2
ru_sevensnationalyears =
ru_sevensnationalteam =
ru_sevensnationalcomp =
pcupdate =
repupdate =

John Bentley (born 5 September 1966) is an English former rugby league and rugby union wing three quarter. He is also known as 'Bentos'.

Originally a union player, he made his England debut against Ireland in 1988 aged 21 and played on the summer tour against Australia.

After training as a policeman he then turned his back on union which was then an amateur-only game, and played professional rugby league. He played for Great Britain at league and signed for Leeds RLFC, before moving on to Halifax RLFC (later the Blue Sox) as well as enjoying a short spell in Australia with Balmain.

When union turned professional he signed to union side Newcastle Falcons in 1996, helping the side to their first and so far only Premiership title. He was then selected for the 1997 British Lions tour of South Africa, where he played in the second Test against James Small. Famously Small refused to shake Bentley's hand after the game, accusing him of gouging.

After the tour he played twice more for England at rugby union before switching back to rugby league with Huddersfield Giants.

He is currently director of rugby at Cleckheaton RUFC – his first and hometown club – and is involved with Leeds Tykes community rugby programme and matchday entertainment. He is an Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland.

Born in Dewsbury, he currently lives in nearby Mirfield with his wife Sandy and three children.

References

External links

* [http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=193 Leeds profile]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=421 Sporting Heroes profile]
* [http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2008/06/john-bentley-wonder-try-vs-gauteng-in.html His brilliant solo try for the British & Irish Lions in 1997]
* [http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/cleckheaton/ Cleckheaton RUFC]