“It is all about togetherness now”: Jim Bentley’s message as Morecambe face National League North football
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley has urged for ‘togetherness’ after the club’s relegation to the National League North was confirmed with last weekend’s 5-1 defeat at Woking.
After playing in League One just four years ago, the Shrimps’ dramatic fall from grace means they will be playing regional football for the first time since 1995 next season.
Bentley, who skippered Morecambe to EFL promotion in 2007, is hoping everyone will come together to halt the slide and get the club back up the footballing pyramid in the next few years.
Speaking after Saturday’s defeat, he said: “We have to reset as a club and work a few things out and come back fighting.
“The club will always be here and I hope the fans stick together, which I am sure they will.
“It is all about togetherness now and ironing a few things out to make sure the club comes back strongly.
“The fans have been through too much really and to go from where we were four or five years ago to where we are now is a massive shame for everyone.
“I can understand the difficulties the club has had this year as everything was so last minute and there was undoubtedly a bit of a panic to get something in place, which wasn’t ideal.
“All players need a pre-season to set yourself up but it all happened quickly and a lot of things fell out of that, although there are things that I am sure could have been done better.
“We have to take stock and look at what we need because we can’t expect it to be easy.
“It’s a tough level and there are a lot of good clubs in the National League North.
“We will become everyone’s cup final because we will have the best stadium in the league, so it is going to be difficult.
“If you do get it right on and off the field, with everyone working together, you will have a better chance of bouncing straight back.
“It has happened before and that has to be the mentality going into next season.”