Morecambe boss Jim Bentley has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for August.
Bentley used the seaside sunshine to prepare his side well for the new season. Four wins from five games sent them top of League Two with style and substance.Both were plentiful in the comeback 3-2 win at Lancahire rivals Accrington Stanley.
Bentley said: "I am delighted to collect the award. It is a great achievement for the club, and the players and the backroom staff deserve all the plaudits.
"After a poor start to the season at Grimsby the lads have been brilliant and given their all and to get four wins from the first five games was a magnificent effort. This award is really for them.''
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Jim has had a great start to the season with Morecambe, winning their last four games in August. It was rounded off with a fabulous comeback against rivals Accrington.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Bentley’s Morecambe side ended last season with a feeling of disappointment as a promising first half of the campaign faded away and they only just hung on to their place in the EFL.
“The form they’ve started the new season in will be incredibly encouraging to him but Jim will be aware that, although they’ve had a terrific start, there’s plenty more work to do.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “After losing to Grimsby on the opening day of the season Jim Bentley’s Morecambe rallied to win their next four and were the surprise leaders of Sky Bet League Two at the end of August.
“Morecambe were many peoples favourites for the drop but a solid start to the season has seen their chances of relegation ease.”
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.