Geoff Bent: Man United full-back Profile & Stats
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Portrait of Geoff Bent

Geoff Bent

Position: full-back

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PWDLFA

HAN P W D L F A Diff Win%
H 6 5 1 0 19 6 +13 83.33
A 6 4 1 1 17 10 +7 66.67
TOTALS 12 9 2 1 36 16 +20 75.00

Name: Geoffrey "Geoff" Bent
Birthdate: 27-09-1932
Age: 93
Birthplace: Salford, England
Height: 5' 11" (1.80m)
Weight: 11st 4lbs (71.67kg)
Years at Club: 1954-1958
Signing Info: Signed Trainee: 08/1948. Signed Professional: 05/1949
Previous Clubs:
Debut: 11/12/1954 v Burnley (A) 4-2 (League Division One)
Farewell: Died of injuries sustained in Munich Air Crash, 06/02/1958
Passed Away: 06/02/1958

Biography

Geoff Bent was a loyal and reliable defender for Manchester United, serving as a versatile full-back who could play on both the left and right sides of defense. While Bent's career at United was often overshadowed by the presence of first-choice full-backs like Roger Byrne, his dedication, professionalism, and ability to step in when needed made him an important squad player for the club.

Bent joined Manchester United's youth system as a teenager and progressed through the ranks to make his first-team debut in 1954. Although his opportunities were limited due to the presence of Roger Byrne, the club captain and first-choice left-back, Bent was a dependable player whenever called upon. His versatility allowed him to cover both full-back positions, making him a valuable asset to Sir Matt Busby's team during United's successful period in the 1950s.

While Bent never fully established himself as a regular starter, he was an integral part of the Busby Babes, the talented young team that dominated English football in the mid-1950s. He provided reliable cover during United's First Division title wins in 1956 and 1957, helping the team secure domestic success.

Tragically, Geoff Bent's life and career were cut short in the Munich Air Disaster on February 6, 1958, when he was just 25 years old. Bent had traveled with the team to provide cover for Roger Byrne, who had been recovering from an injury. Bent was one of the 23 people who lost their lives in the crash, which devastated Manchester United and the football world.

Bent could play as both a left-back and right-back, providing flexibility in defense for Manchester United, although not a regular starter, Bent was known for his reliability and professionalism whenever called upon by the team.

While Geoff Bent's career was relatively short, his contribution to Manchester United's success during the 1950s was significant. He was a dedicated squad player who embodied the spirit of the Busby Babes, always ready to step in and play his part for the team. His life was tragically cut short in the Munich Air Disaster, but his commitment to the club and his memory remain a lasting part of Manchester United's history.

Geoff Bent was a versatile and reliable full-back for Manchester United, known for his professionalism and ability to cover both defensive flanks. Although often in the shadow of first-choice players like Roger Byrne, Bent's dedication to the team and willingness to step in when needed made him a valuable member of Sir Matt Busby's squad. His life and career were tragically cut short in the Munich Air Disaster, but his legacy as part of the Busby Babes and his contributions to Manchester United during their successful 1950s era are fondly remembered by the club and its supporters.
 
League League Cup FA Cup Charity Shield European Cup Europa League Super Cup Cup Winners Cup Inter-cont Cup World Clubs Cup    
Season Goals Season Apps
No Season League Goals League Apps LC Goals LC Apps FAC Goals FAC Apps CS Goals CS Apps EC Goals EC Apps Europa Goals Europa Apps SC Goals SC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps IC Goals IC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps Season
Goals		 Season
Apps
1. 1954-1955 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2. 1955-1956 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
3. 1956-1957 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
TOTALS 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12

Detailed Match & Performance Charts

MUFC Player Goals MUFC Player Appearances MUFC Player Opponent Manager MUFC Player Club Manager
No Opponent Goals Appearances
Player has never scored for club.
No Opponent Appearances Goals
1. Charlton Athletic 2 0
2. Burnley 1 0
3. Sheffield United 1 0
4. Luton Town 1 0
5. Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 0
6. Huddersfield Town 1 0
7. Sunderland 1 0
8. Aston Villa 1 0
9. Birmingham City 1 0
10. Everton 1 0
11. Tottenham Hotspur 1 0
No Opponent Manager No
1. Trotter, Jimmy 2
2. Brown, Alan 1
3. Freeman, Reg 1
4. Duncan, Dally 1
5. Cullis, Stan 1
6. Beattie, Andy 1
7. Murray, Bill 1
8. Houghton, Eric 1
9. Turner, Arthur 1
10. Buchan, Ian 1
11. Anderson, Jimmy 1
No MUFC Managers Count
1. Busby, Matt 12
Stadiums Competition Opponents Opponent Nationality
No Stadium Count
1. Old Trafford 6
2. Goodison Park 1
3. Roker Park 1
4. St Andrews 1
5. The Valley 1
6. Turf Moor 1
7. Villa Park 1
No Competition Count
1. League Division One 12
No Opponent Count
1. Charlton Athletic 2
2. Burnley 1
3. Sheffield United 1
4. Luton Town 1
5. Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
6. Huddersfield Town 1
7. Sunderland 1
8. Aston Villa 1
9. Birmingham City 1
10. Everton 1
11. Tottenham Hotspur 1
No Opponent Nationality Count
1. England 12
Roy Keane own goal v Real Madrid Old Trafford 2000 Cup Finals
No Date Opponent Competition Own Goals
Player has never scored an own goal against the club.
No Date Opponent WDL F-A Competition
Player never featured in a Cup Final.
Penalties scored for Manchester United Manchester United Hat-Tricks
No Date Opponents Competition Penaltys
Player has never scored a penalty for the club.
No Date Opponent Competition Goals
Player has never scored a hat-trick or better during a game.
 
Red Cards  
No Date Opponent Competition
Player has never been sent off during a match.
 

All Matches played
No Date Comp Opponent WDL F-A HAN Goal!! Scorers Opponent scorers
1. 11-12-1954 Div 1 Burnley W 4-2 A 0 Colin Webster 47', 57', 84', Dennis Viollet 88' William Holden 14', Billy Gray 70'
2. 02-04-1955 Div 1 Sheffield United W 5-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 17', 65', Johnny Berry 66', Dennis Viollet 73', Billy Whelan 86'
3. 01-10-1955 Div 1 Luton Town W 3-1 H 0 Colin Webster 52', Tommy Taylor 64', 65' George Cummins 20' (pen)
4. 08-10-1955 Div 1 Wolves W 4-3 H 0 David Pegg 42', Tommy Taylor 71', 88', John Doherty 84' Bill Slater 61', Roy Swinbourne 68', 74'
5. 22-10-1955 Div 1 Huddersfield Town W 3-0 H 0 Johnny Berry 40', Tommy Taylor 47', David Pegg 89'
6. 14-04-1956 Div 1 Sunderland D 2-2 A 0 Wilf McGuinness 26', Billy Whelan 62' Stan Anderson 27' (pen), Billy Elliott 38'
7. 06-10-1956 Div 1 Charlton Athletic W 4-2 H 0 Johnny Berry 25', Bobby Charlton 32', 37', Billy Whelan 65' Fred Lucas 24', Bobby Ayre 40'
8. 08-12-1956 Div 1 Aston Villa W 3-1 A 0 Tommy Taylor 42', 49', Dennis Viollet 73' Pat Saward 78'
9. 15-12-1956 Div 1 Birmingham City L 1-3 A 0 Billy Whelan 60' Bryan Orritt 4', Edwin Brown 23', 30'
10. 18-02-1957 Div 1 Charlton Athletic W 5-1 A 0 Tommy Taylor 12', 26', Bobby Charlton 42', 46', 59' Bobby Ayre 86'
11. 06-03-1957 Div 1 Everton W 2-1 A 0 Colin Webster 30', 75' Wally Fielding 54'
12. 06-04-1957 Div 1 Tottenham Hotspur D 0-0 H 0
 

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