Jim Bentley

After the departure of Paul Tisdale from Exeter City in June 2018, Bentley became the longest serving manager in the top four tiers of English football, until his resignation in October 2019 in order to become the new manager of AFC Fylde.

During Morecambe's 1-2 defeat to Cheltenham on 17 December 2016, Bentley was sent off from the dugout, after reacting to Alex Kenyon's dismissal. He received a £750 fine with £250 costs and a two match touchline ban from the FA after a personal hearing. At the following home game, a 4-1 victory over Notts County, Morecambe fans held a 'bucket collection' and raised the £1,000.

On 13 May 2011, Bentley was appointed the player-manager of Morecambe on a two-year contract, but since then he has concentrated on the managerial role and has not played a competitive match since taking on that post. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Shrimps on 10 October 2013. A further two-year contract extension was agreed with Morecambe on 29 August 2015. Ken McKenna also agreed the same deal with the League Two club. On 13 October 2017, Bentley and McKenna agreed further contract extensions until the end of the 2019-20 season.

In June 2010, Bentley was appointed player-coach, having spent the previous season in a coaching role with the reserve team.

Bentley, who debuted for Telford United in 1997, moved to Morecambe in 2002. He played as a defender.

James Graham Bentley (born 11 June 1976) is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a centre back. He is the manager of club AFC Fylde after leaving his post at Morecambe.