MORECAMBE skipper Jim Bentley has been appointed as the Shrimps' player-coach.
The ever popular Bentley has been officially named as the Shrimps' Reserve team manager for the forthcoming season but will also now be helping assistant manager Mark Lillis with first team coaching duties.
It is a further step up the coaching ladder for Bentley who revelled in his role with the Reserves after taking over from the successful Jeff Udall last season with Lillis convinced his skipper will take everything in his stride.
Said Lillis: "Jim proved last year that he has a career in coaching and management after he finishes playing and that is an ambition he has always made clear. He is a born leader and a very respected man in the dressing room.
"He will be a great help to me and I hope I can act as something of a mentor to him as well. He will certainly help out with the defensive side of the coaching and helping to bring on the younger players.''
