David Bentley article

yiddo59

Wouldn;t be a fan of his but in fairness he comes across very well in this interview

David Bentley closes the book on Tottenham and begins a new story at Birmingham
By Sportsmail Reporter

Fancy that. Kevin, the photographer who is with me for this interview with David Bentley, used to sit next to him in geography. Maybe it could be useful for a behind-the-bikeshed exclusive or two.

The pair of them are flicking through the 2000 yearbook of Highams Park school in Chingford, Essex. 'What happened to him then?' asks Bentley. 'He's a stuntman, whose done some work in the James Bond films - she was a dancer at Stringfellows,' replies Kevin.

And the one with the spiky hair became a millionaire professional footballer. Kevin reminds him: 'I sat next to you in geography and you'd be drawing the Manchester United shirt with the No 7 on the back.'

Back to school: Bentley reminisces over his time in class

'That was Eric Cantona. It was him and Gazza for me. They were my boys.' Bentley has a reputation for being Jack the lad, a flashy, man-about-town. In front of strangers, you can be who you want to be. In front of school pals, it's not such an easy game.

The son of a military man, who as a boy spoke fluent Flemish, there is more to Bentley than is obvious. He is on the cusp of setting up a record label, owns a restaurant in Marbella and six weeks ago became a partner in a firm that sources and assembles playground equipment.

As his father was involved in the forces - Bentley says they lived in Shape, Brussels, which turns out to be an acronym for the Supreme Headquarters for the Allied Powers in Europe - when he returned to England he was seconded to an Essex school who shared a partnership with Arsenal.

Big difference: Bentley has made a big difference since arriving at St Andrew's

'It was based on the Ajax system,' he explained. 'There were 10 of us from the club at the school and they wanted to give the best education, combined with the training. It didn't work. I just don't think socially we are set up for something like that in this country. It wasn't accepted, either by the kids who were jealous or the teachers.'

You can imagine Bentley as a cocky kid, although not all of his fellow pupils resented the progress of the young midfielder. The one holding the lens didn't.
'We knew he was good,' said Kevin. 'The FA used to give away 100 footballs to the school of the man-of-the-match in England's Victory Shield games.

We'd see the bus coming down the drive packed with footballs every few weeks. We were swimming in them.'

Bentley, 26, is a bundle of energy: a good talker with lots to say.

He has made a difference to Birmingham, where they have helped him restore his faith in the game and in himself as a player. It is a faith that has been challenged by his experiences at Tottenham this season.

He is honest in his assessment of his troubles. 'I was at a great club (Blackburn) and I was happy. Maybe another year would have done me good. The Man Citys and Villas were looking at me but I thought Tottenham was a match made in heaven.' It hasn't worked out like that.

'There were so many pluses to it. I wanted to play for them, (Juande) Ramos was there. It was purely for football.

'When I turned up there, the place was in turmoil. Ramos was sacked after eight games. I was so passionate about going to Spurs, doing well, being guided by this manager who was going to be the Spanish Arsene Wenger.

'I didn't deal with his sacking very well. I took it to heart. I just got down and I was holding on to the past. All of a sudden I was in a relegation battle with Spurs, playing right back. That wasn't the plan.
'Then Harry came in, Aaron Lennon came in, too, and it just got progressively worse for me. That's what it has been.
The way they were: Bentley (purple cap, centre) poses for his High School yearbook

'I don't blame Harry. The club's bought two players in the same position. Essentially, it was their problem. It was as if I'd been hit by a shotgun.

'Then people saying "You're out too much". That was never the case. I've tried to put my finger on it 100 times. It's very difficult to come with a big price tag. I was just a kid wanting to do well.
'My issue was never with Harry Redknapp. As far as I know, anyway. I'm not questioning what he has done. How can I? They won in the San Siro. I'm happy for them. I really am, absolutely chuffed - especially for Crouchie. I'll never hear the last of that goal! We all fall in love, get married and say, "I'll be with this woman for the rest of my life". Two years later and you're divorced.

'That's what it's like with Tottenham and me. People are pointing the finger saying there's problems with the manager, problems in your life. Not true. Absolutely not true.

'I can't blame the manager for playing Aaron Lennon. If I was him and he was left out for me, then I'd be annoyed. I've come to Birmingham because I need to play.'

They don't take to fancy-dan footballers at St Andrew's. It doesn't fit the supporters' psyche. Mario Melchiot was frowned upon in some quarters when he showboated towards the end of a victory over Aston Villa in 2004.

Bentley may have taken advice from Stephen Carr but he's done what is required - got his head down and worked hard. Having said that, the highlight of his four week stay so far must be the double stepover and 30-yard drive that sparked a fightback in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Coventry City.


'I do believe in my ability,' he said. 'I want to play the games. When you build up your profile and momentum, it goes hand-in-glove. Here, at Birmingham, I've started rebuilding again. And there's a lot of positive energy around this club.
'I've been here four weeks and I've moved my family here. You never know if there's a deal to be done.'

This week has been all about preparing to face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round, but Bentley is busy off the pitch, too.

'I was in talks to set up a record label. I want to give young musicians a chance and I've set up a playground company with my uncle, who has been in the construction business for 15 years.

Smile! One of Bentley's teachers tipped him as most likely to become a millionaire

'We supply them to councils and schools and this week we have just had our first order. I got a buzz from that.'
Then there is also his restaurant in Marbella, although he says he visits only 'once a year'. Bentley defends his off-the-field activities.
'The perception you could give out in this interview is that, "oh, he's got loads going on away from his football, he's not concentrating". It's not true. My first focus is football.'

He does want to get the most out of life, but what's wrong with that? 'I remember losing people when I was young. My background is in the military. My dad was in the RAF.

'I decided back then to wake up with a smile on my face. Live for the day. I thought, "I live today, I die today - but I'm going to pack as much in as I can". And I tried to live every day as if it were my last.

'One of my cousins on my dad's side, Michael, is out in Afghanistan. That puts what I do for a living in perspective, doesn't it?

'Sometimes that gets perceived in a different way. People think you are messing about all the time. Look, I've done stupid things. Like drink driving. I would put that in a category of where I've been an absolute idiot. I'm sorry for that. I was a ticking time bomb at the time.'

That yearbook includes an interview with a Mr Kallener, a teacher, who is asked what might become of the pupils about to leave. To the question 'Most likely to be a millionaire?' was the answer: 'David Bentley

Hatch99

Good luck to him, I hope he gets his permanent move in the summer and does well. I have gone on record in the passed as disliking him and his attitude and I still back that up. His work rate and attitude while playing for us at times was awful and made my blood boil at times.