AVELEY have announced the departure of attacking midfielder Jon Benton who has joined National League side Solihull on a 1.5 year deal with an option for a further year. 

Benton originally arrived at Parkside in 2021/22 season on loan from Southend United where he helped Aveley pip Canvey Island and Stowmarket Town to the Isthmian North title. In that season he netted 15 times and assisted a further 16. 

Bentley returned to parent club Southend United and had a brief spell with Braintree Town in the 2022/23 season, but was quickly recalled by Southend as he made an impact in their first team. 

Due to Southend's inability to offer Benton a contract to keep him at the club, he returned to Aveley, who had clinched a second successive promotion from the Isthmian Premier League to make the National South.

Bentley went on to make another 17 appearances for the club this season, where he scored seven and assisted six times in our debut season in the National South, most recently scoring in the 90th minute against high flying Barnet when The Millers had nine men to force a replay.