The Solway Sharks, sponsored by Building Craftsmen (Dumfries), are delighted to announce twenty-four year old former Manchester Phoenix player Richard Bentham as their latest addition to their 2014-15 roster. Richard joins the Sharks with a wealth of EPL experience having contributed over 70 points in more than 150 games and leaves Manchester after having won the league last season.
The former Great Britain youth international has played for Blackburn, Wightlink, Peterborough and Manchester as well as representing England and GB and his experience will be a great asset in the new look EPL cup. Bentham can play both forward and defence and at 6ft he will add some size and strength to the Sharks and will be looking to continue the success he had as a Phoenix player and will get a chance to play against his former employers in the cup.
Richard was happy to sign for the Sharks and said “I am delighted to join the club as I want to play for the strongest team in the league and I feel by joining Solway I have done that. I know it is a great set up and after talking to Martin I am looking forward to meeting my team mates and getting started. I love the rink and the ice from playing there with Blackburn and look forward to facing them and Manchester as my old teams. We are obviously looking to retain the trophies we won last year and I am looking to make a major contribution by putting up good numbers and doing whatever is needed for the team. I know a couple of the players and I am sure we will have another great season”.
Head Coach Martin Grubb was very happy to talk about his newest recruit and commented “I tried to sign Richard when I first came here but unfortunately we couldn’t bring him here but I am glad we have finally been able to do it now. He brings good size, skill and a desire to win games and more importantly, he will be a good fit both on and off the ice for the team. He is a forward who will go to the net and can score goals and I will be looking for him to contribute with goals and also with performances in the big games. He has versatility as he can play defence if needed and was Craig Mitchell’s defensive partner with the GB U18 team a few years ago so it is something we can use if needed. After talking to Richard throughout the summer he has a genuine desire to win and that is something we have as a club and he is someone who will do whatever he needs for his team, both are qualities I like in a player. He wants to do well here and play in all situations and I am sure he will be a major hit with his team mates and the supporters”.
Richard will wear the number 91 this season and with the season just around the corner he will be joined by more signings in the next few days.
The Solway Sharks can also reveal two of last year’s treble winning team have returned to the club for the season ahead. Goaltender Gary Russell and forward Struan Tonnar have both agreed to return for another season in Sharks colours. Both players have been vital to the Sharks success in recent years and we are delighted to welcome back the players for another season and hope they can be as successful as previous seasons.
Both players have been a major part of the Sharks success in recent years and none more so than in last year’s treble winning campaign with Gary recording a shutout in the play-off final and being as reliable as ever when the big saves were needed and Struan making an all-star team appearance as well as scoring the goal that put the seal on a two-nil victory in the play-off final.
Gary commented “I am delighted to be back once again and I am really looking forward to what will be an exciting season. Last season it was fantastic to win all the major trophies but we know that it is going to be much tougher this year with other teams already strengthening. I am a player who loves the challenge of playing in tight games so I look forward to the league along with the EPL Cup. I think we will prove that we are a very good team and we will be competitive in the Cup and we always look to win every game we play so it’s going to be a huge challenge this season.”
Struan remarked “I have been looking forward to the new season and the new challenges which lie ahead. It is going to be great to test ourselves in the cup against EPL teams and we have our trophies to defend in the league and play-off’s so we know we will need to be ready. I am ready for the challenge and although we have had to rebuild a little with players moving on and Mark Gallagher retiring I am confident we will have a strong team to be looking to challenge for all honors again.
Head Coach Martin Grubb was understandably delighted to see the pair return and said “both players are key to this team and I am delighted to be working with them again. They have both been here since I took over and they know what is expected of them and everyone on this team and are good in the dressing room. Gary is in my opinion the best goalie in the league and is a big game player and I look forward to seeing him get the opportunity to showcase that against EPL teams as well as much improved league rivals. Struan is a player who has the speed and skill to win games and is always a difficult player for opponents to play against. He has proved in the past few seasons that he is constantly improving and I will be challenging him to improve again and step up and be a leader on this team. We have to replace certain players and both Struan and Gary know what is expected of players here and will help any new guys quickly understand what is needed. I am currently talking to several players and we will be announcing more players in the next few days including a new player or two and things are shaping up well”.
Gary will return in a newly painted Sharks mask wearing his familiar number 1 shirt while Struan will also be wearing his familiar number 51 and the sharks hope to be able to announce a pre season friendly in the next few days to give the supporters an opportunity to see the team in action before the league and cup starts.
