Jim Bentley: Morecambe manager signs new contract to 2016

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2016.

The 37-year-old is in his third season in charge of the Shrimps, having taken over from Sammy McIlroy in May 2011.

Morecambe have made an excellent start to the campaign and lie sixth in League Two after seven games unbeaten.

"I have enjoyed my last two years in management and I feel we are progressing both on and off the pitch," Bentley told the club website.

His assistant, Ken McKenna, has agreed similar terms to remain in his position at the Globe Arena.

Bentley spent nine years as a player at Morecambe, helping the club win promotion to the Football League in 2007.

He also had a year as player-boss, although he did not play a game in the 2011-12 season, before deciding to concentrate solely on his managerial duties.

Bentley has led Morecambe to final positions of 15th and 16th in the fourth tier, fighting against low attendances and a small budget to keep the Lancashire club in the Football League.

He continued: "I have been at Morecambe for more than 10 years and it is a place that is close to my heart.

"Kenny and myself are working really hard and no one could be more determined to make this a success than the pair of us.

"Between us, we are working hard on doing the right things in relation to players, developing a training ground and developing a youth system."

The Liverpool-born former centre-back added: "It doesn't just happen overnight at a club like ours so we have to go about things the right way and everyone at this club is determined to see us develop even further over the next few years.

"We are already seeing the positive changes and the rewards of everyone's hard work and we are determined to make sure that continues over the next few years."