Morecambe have today reluctantly accepted the resignation of manager Jim Bentley after more than 17 years with the club.

The Shrimps currently sit rock bottom of League Two after 16 games, with only two wins on the board so far.

Bentley has been synonymous with the club over the past decade after taking over from former manager Sammy McIlroy in 2011 and since becoming the Football League’s longest-serving manager. Before his appointment as manager, Bentley served the club as a player from 2002, making 298 appearances for them, scoring 29 goals from centre back.

Morecambe have reluctantly accepted his resignation today and will look to replace him swiftly to mount a battle for survival and stay in the Football League. The Shrimps’ most recent outing was in a 1-0 defeat away to fellow strugglers Stevenage, in which they conceded with only eight minutes to play, consequently sinking them to the bottom place in the Football League.

Morecambe have released a statement announcing the departure of Bentley, explaining his decision and delivering a fond farewell after over 17 years of service to the club.

The statement read: “It is with great reluctance that we have accepted the resignation of Jim Bentley today.

"Jim has stated his desire to take on a new challenge and it is only right that we honour his wish after the service he has given this club.

“He has been an amazing servant for us as player, captain and manager and has deservedly gained a fantastic reputation throughout the game for what he has achieved with the club.”

The statement went on to continue in a similar manner, with nothing but gratitude for a man so closely linked with the club for almost all of his footballing career.

With the news breaking about such a huge figure in the club’s history, we take a look at how fans have reacted to the announcement…