Former Bradford City midfielder Craig Bentham made a surprise appearance for Thackley in the 2-1 win at Tadcaster
Former Bradford City midfielder Craig Bentham made a surprise return to semi-professional football earlier this week.
Bentham played for his local side Thackley in the shock 2-1 victory at Toolstation NCEL Premier Division leaders Tadcaster in midweek.
Bentham, does captain successful Sunday League side Ilkley Dynamo, but had not played on the pyramid since his days at Guiseley in 2010.
“I’ve not been doing much football-wise,” he said.
“I have just been playing Sunday League since I came back from Australia. I broke my ankle quite badly got told I wouldn’t play again so I’m taking each game as it goes.
“I know a few of the lads and I got asked if I could fill in so I came down.
“I’ll continue playing for Thackley if they’ll have, but I can’t play for ten days from tomorrow so it is whether they want me back.”
Bentham was a regular at Valley Parade under Colin Todd, but his time at City ended when he was loaned out to Conference Premier side Farsley Celtic in January 2008.
He won plenty of man of the match awards in the following four months and his return to Bradford at the start of April was cited as the reason why Farsley were relegated.
In his last game, his performance helped Farsley stage a remarkable 1-0 win at Torquay United – which moved them clear of the relegation zone.
Without Bentham, Farsley lost all their remaining six games.
He signed permanently at Farsley in the summer before leaving when the club went into administration.
He played for Steve Kittrick at Guiseley during the 2009-10 season and then moved out to Australia and featured for Balcatta – a semi-professional side.
“It has been a long-winding road,” he added.
“It is what happens. I don’t know if my football career went wrong because I had some good times at Farsley before the difficulties.
“I moved onto Guiseley and got an opportunity to play in Australia. I wouldn’t say I’ve gone downhill. I’ve had a bad injury and that cut it short.”
Thackley host Armthorpe Welfare this weekend.