IAN Bentley has expressed his pride at seeing his son Daniel set a new club record for Southend United with an 11th successive home clean sheet against Newport County on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old has not conceded at Roots Hall since October and has now gone more than 1,000 minutes without letting a goal in at his own ground.

But things could have worked out differently for Daniel had it not been for the Hutton Medway goalkeeper failing to attend an under nine match back in 2002.

“Dan used to play in defence or midfield but he was never a natural and one day when he was nine the goalkeeper for his Sunday team didn’t turn up and Dan was put in goal,” recalled Ian.

“I stood behind the goal and coached him through the match and he did really well for a nine-year-old rookie, so much so that after the game he was asked to go for a trial at Arsenal where he went on to spend six years before joining Southend at the age of 15.”

Daniel has since progressed through the ranks at Roots Hall to firmly establish himself as one of the brightest young prospects outside of the Premier League.

But even playing in the garden at home in Wickford, Ian always knew his son had the talent to become a top footballer.

“I used to coach Dan in the garden at home and even at the age of six I could tell he had something special,” said Ian.

“His hand shape, his body shape and his natural eye for the ball were all there and it was just a case of helping him to develop but above all letting him enjoy himself.

“We used to play in the garden at home every day and I would never take it easy on him.

“In fact, I think I’m still the penalty king but Dan would never admit that.”

 

However, Ian is certainly no stranger to footballing success having spent five seasons at Manchester United.

Ian, who now lives in South Woodham Ferrers, joined the Red Devils at the age of 15 and was coached by the great Harry Gregg while at Old Trafford.

But his progress to the first team was blocked by Gary Bailey and now believes it is far better to be playing regular football as a young goalkeeper.

“Dan has done it exactly right by learning his trade in League Two with a first-class gaffer and coaching team,” said Ian.

“When I stopped playing at that level I decided to get a proper job but I still play now for my local Sunday team and I occasionally play on the sevens circuit overseas where I have had the privilege of playing in the same team as the likes of Alan Kennedy, Mark Walters, Paul Walsh, Tony Woodcock, Viv Anderson, Peter Beardsley, Frank McAvennie and Gordon Durie.”

Ian’s own father John also rubbed shoulders with the stars, lining up for Leeds United in the 1950s.

But he always made sure Ian kept his feet on the ground and the same traits have been passed down to Daniel by his parents.

“What you are is nowhere near as important as who you are and his mum and I have worked really hard on keeping his feet on the ground,” said Ian.

“My dad kept me grounded so I’ve done the same with Dan.

“There’s a phrase I use that Dan’s grown up hearing from me which is ‘remember who you are and who you represent’ and he always does.

“Lots of people say to me ‘you must be really proud of Dan with his football career’ and my answer every time is ‘I’m more proud of who he is than what he is.

“If I’m honest and this is going to sound cheesy, I look at Dan and think ‘one day I want to be the man you’ve become’.

“I can’t pay him a better compliment than that to be honest.”

Ian now regularly watches Daniel in action at Roots Hall.

And he was particularly pleased to see his son keep another clean sheet against Tranmere Rovers last weekend to equal the club record set by long term family friend Mervyn Cawston who watched the game sitting next to Ian.

“Saturday’s game against Tranmere was amazing and perfect,” said Ian.

“The sun was shining; Mervyn was there and he was made to feel really welcome, it was the right result and to see Dan equal Merv’s record with Merv there in the stands was just fantastic.

“I was a bag of nerves the entire game and I probably haven’t been that nervous since Dan made his debut.

“I’ve got a few more grey hairs and my nerves are in ruins but it all turned out well on the day and it did on Tuesday too.

“We’re all very proud of him but it’s a great achievement for the whole team not just Dan.”