BENTLEY DRIVEN BY AFC DREAM!

Coasters boss out to hit top gear

- Chris Dunlavy

AFC Fylde boss Jim Bentley is fighting fit following last year’s heart scare - and so are his players after a gruelling week at Chester Army Barracks.

“Our chief executive is ex-military and was based here,” explains Bentley. “He knows the main man, and between them they arranged for us to come in.

“They’ve been brilliant, and basically tasked a bit of their team with looking after us. They say ‘Report at this time’, ‘Eat at this time’, everything precise and to the minute.

“Our lads have been on the assault course, had a go on the rifles, they’ve had a few little tours and a night out. They’ve been beasted by the Physical Trainers.

“There’s also been activities focusing on social interaction, psychological stuff where you have to dig in, get round each other and problem solve. It’s been quality.”

Unlike the whole of 2020, which Bentley - who took charge of Fylde in October 2019 - describes as a waking nightmare.

Just four months into his reign, the 45-year-old was diagnosed with a heart condition that required double bypass surgery.