SOUTHEND United can make it five wins in a row if they see off Morecambe at Roots Hall this weekend.

But Phil Brown’s side still have a little while to go to the match the Shrimpers’ best ever winning run, set during the 2005/06 season.

Back then Blues were able to record eight successive victories.

And popular former Southend midfielder Mark Bentley, who played a key part in the victories, felt back then that the team were not going to lose.

“I remember going out on the pitch during that run just feeling like there was no way we weren’t going to win,” said Bentley.

“The spine of the side was just so strong, we had really good togetherness and team spirit and we also had Freddy Eastwood banging in goals for fun.

“I actually thought we won more than eight in a row but it was a great achievement and it obviously helped us to go on and win League One in the end that season.”

By that stage, Bentley was already enjoying his second full campaign at Roots Hall having become Steve Tilson’s first signing for the club when joining from Dagenham & Redbridge in January 2004.

Bentley jumped at the chance to achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

But he initially struggled with making the step up.

“Making the move up was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” said the 36-year-old.

“I hadn’t played for a few weeks at Dagenham because I had turned down their offer of a contract.

“That probably didn’t help but the game was a completely different pace and I found it hard initially.

“I remember getting booked after about five minutes on my debut and we conceded twice inside the opening 10 minutes to lose against Doncaster.

“It wasn’t the best of starts but thankfully it did get better after that.”

As a result, Bentley soon became a regular in the centre of the park as Blues survived relegation at the end of his first season before winning promotion, via the play-offs, in his second.

The Shrimpers also reached the final of what was then called the LDV Vans Trophy, losing 2-0 to Wrexham after extra time.

But playing at the Millennium Stadium remains a huge highlight for Bentley.

“We played there twice in a couple of months and the first time there was 36,000 fans there,” recalled the midfielder who made 107 appearances for Southend.

“If you had told me that was going to happen about a year before that then I would’ve thought you were mad.

“It was fantastic and obviously winning the play-off final was a huge moment and I do enjoy showing my son the DVD to prove I was once a fairly decent footballer.”

After winning the play-offs, against Lincoln City, Blues went on to take League One by storm.

Buoyed by the eight successive wins they went on to win the title.

But Bentley opted to leave Blues at the end of the season and not go with them in to the Championship.

“It was a massive decision for me at the time and even now I look back and wonder if I did the right thing,” said the midfielder.

“I hadn’t played much towards the end of the previous season and Southend only offered me a one year deal to stay.

“I had just become a dad and I had a bit more to think about when it came to deciding my future.

“The deal wasn’t really financially right either and I was worried if I carried on being out of favour for another year then I might end up going back to non-league.

“At the same time, Gillingham offered me a two year deal so I went there and had five good years with them.

“But Southend played at White Hart Lane twice the following season and that killed me because I’m a big Tottenham fan.”

Bentley made close to 200 appearances for Gills before dropping back down in to non league.

Spells at Hayes & Yeading and Wealdstone followed before he joined Grays Athletic at the start of this season.

“I thought about retiring but I’m glad I didn’t and I’m enjoying being at Grays,” said Bentley, who ran the London Marathon back in April.

“Every ex footballer I’ve spoken to has told me to keep on playing for as long as I can and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

“Football’s in my blood and hopefully I can carry on for another couple of years.”

Bentley already combines playing with coaching as he works with Leyton Orient’s under 15 side.

He also coaches more than 100 youngsters at the Conel College in Enfield and hopes to soon step up his involvement in that side of the game.

“I’ve done my level three coaching badge and would love to do my A licence soon as well,” said Bentley.

“If a player coach role came up at a non league club in the future I would certainly be interested in that and I’m keen to remain involved in football any way I can.”