Bentley out to thwart Thommo

Jim Bentley is hoping his Morecambe side can halt one of his Wembley-winning team-mates tonight, Tuesday.
Garry Thompson will return to Morecambe with Wycombe on Tuesday night. Picture: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport

FootballGarry Thompson will return to Morecambe with Wycombe on Tuesday night. Picture: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport

Football
Garry Thompson will return to Morecambe with Wycombe on Tuesday night. Picture: Chris Vaughan/CameraSport Football

Garry Thompson will line up for new club Wycombe Wanderers at the Globe Arena as he faces The Shrimps for the first time since leaving the club for Scunthorpe in 2008.

The front man from Kendal came through the ranks with Morecambe and scored the opening goal in the 2007 Conference play-final win over Exeter that saw The Shrimps promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history.

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Now having left Notts County the 34-year-old looks set to be a key man for The Chairboys as the look to go one better in League 2 after their play-off final defeat last season.

Bentley said: “When I first came to the club in 2002 I and thought, yeah he’s got the attributes to go far.

“He got the goal at Wembley that set us on our way, from my assist I may add, and from then he’s just gone on.

“I think he’s played at Wembley about five times with Bradford and Scunthorpe.

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“He’s showing no signs of slowing down and I’m sure he’ll do well for Wycombe.

“He’s a great lad and I’ve always kept in touch with him and always kept one eye on him throughout his career.

“Six hundred career appearances, promotions, the cup run with Bradford, he’s had a fantastic career.”

Bentley has a lot of time for Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth and admired the way his side bounced back from near relegation the previous season to almost secure promotion to League 1 in May.

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The Shrimps boss said: “They had a fantastic season last year.

“They’ve lost a couple of key players but have brought in some good signings as well, one being Garry Thompson.

“They’ve also kept hold of quite a lot of the squad that excelled last year and got to the play-offs.

“I was disappointed for Gareth, I’ve got a lot of time for him.

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“They’re certainly going in the right direction and it’ll be a tough match for us but I’m sure he’s telling his players the same thing.

“It was fabulous to see them do well and we wish them well for this season after Tuesday night.”