Former Exeter Chiefs player Chris Bentley assisted Exeter City in the early 2020s giving advice about sponsorship and marketing opportunities. 

Born in Sunderland in 1979, but growing up on the Wirral, Chris played rugby for New Brighton before moving to Orrell followed by a spell in France with Biarritz. Appearing for England at under-21 level along the way, he first signed for Exeter Chiefs in 2004 and - either side of brief stints in Scotland and New Zealand - was with the club until 2013. 

He subsequently remained at Sandy Park in a corporate sales role ahead of various jobs outside of rugby. Returning to the sport as commercial director of Plymouth Albion between 2020 and 2023, he also lent his commercial expertise to Exeter City during the period after the Covid pandemic. 

Chris wrote a rugby column in the Express and Echo for many years.