William John Bentley was born on 21 October 1947 in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent and attended St Gregory's School.
[2] He played for Stoke-on-Trent schoolboys, winning two consecutive national titles in a side that included Terry Alcock, Clint Boulton, John Woodward and Denis Smith.
He was part of the Blackpool team that won the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1971, beating Bologna in the final at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
[2] Blackpool finished sixth in 1971–72 under Bob Stokoe's stewardship, but reached the 1972 Anglo-Italian Cup final at the Stadio Olimpico, where they were beaten by Roma.
[4] He returned to live in Staffordshire as his wife needed to look after her elderly father, and the Blackpool chairman agreed to let him leave on a free transfer in light of his eight years of service to the club.
[2] Hereford United had previously agreed to a £20,000 transfer fee, but insisted that all players live locally so the deal was called off.
[10] He played 37 games in 1977–78, retaining his first-team place under new boss Bobby Smith, as the "Valiants" slipped out of the Third Division after losing 3–2 at Plymouth Argyle on the final day.
[1] Bentley was placed in temporary charge of team affairs in December 1979 after newly appointed manager Alan Bloor unexpectedly resigned, and before a replacement in John McGrath was found.
[1][11] Bentley moved on to Stafford Rangers, with whom he finished his professional career in 1981, after making 20 Alliance Premier League appearances in the 1980–81 season.