‘All the lads loved him’… Peter Crouch says player Tottenham released was actually ‘top class’ behind the scenes | OneFootball

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch has hailed David Bentley for his dressing room antics during their time in north London.

The striker spent two stints with the Lilywhites and played a crucial role in helping Spurs secure their first-ever qualification to the Champions League.

But it is the actions of his former teammate, Bentley, which Crouch has spoken highly about when reminiscing on his time with the club.

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David Bentley huge off the pitch

The Englishman joined Spurs from Blackburn Rovers back in 2008, but his time in north London was not the easiest time of his career.

During his time with the club, the midfielder was able to rack up 62 appearances and provide Spurs with just five goals and 11 assists.

After several loan spells away from Spurs, Bentley called it a day on his career in 2014 and hung up his boots, just a year after being released by Tottenham.

However, speaking on the Official Tottenham Hotspur podcast, Crouch has spoken fondly about how big of a personality Bentley was off the pitch: “Honestly, he kept us going, you know. He was a great lad.

“I had him on my podcast recently and he is one of football’s great characters, he really is. He was great on my podcast and, even though he wasn’t playing, he still kind of made everyone uplifted.

“He would never drag anyone down because he was having a tough time.

“All the lads loved him. He had to move on, he and Harry [Redknapp] clashed and he had to move on. But in the dressing room, he was top class.”

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That night at the Etihad

Spurs were able to secure their first-ever spot in the Champions League in a crunch game against Manchester City back in 2010.

Bentley came on as a late substitute in that game in Manchester and was actually on the pitch when Crouch was able to head home the only goal of the game.

After the game, during an interview with Sky Sports, Bentley was among a group of players who soaked manager Harry Redknapp with water as the celebrations unfolded.

Although his time at Spurs never really panned out as many would have hoped, it is apparent he played a huge role in team morale behind the scenes.

With the likes of Emerson Royal and Richarlison in the current crop of players, it is not hard to imagine Spurs have some similar figures at Hotspur Way to this day.