Geoff Bent facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Geoff Bent

Bent in 1957
Personal information
Date of birth	(1932-09-27)27 September 1932
Place of birth	Salford, Lancashire, England
Date of death	6 February 1958(1958-02-06) (aged 25)
Place of death	Munich, West Germany
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position	Left back
Youth career
1948–1951	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1951–1958	Manchester United	12	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Geoffrey Bent (born September 27, 1932 – died February 6, 1958) was an English football player. He played as a left back for Manchester United. He was part of the team from 1948 until 1958.

Geoff was one of the "Busby Babes". This was a nickname for the young, talented team built by manager Matt Busby in the 1950s. Bent only played 12 games for Manchester United's main team. This was because Roger Byrne, a top international player, already played in his position. Many people believe Bent would have been a regular player for almost any other team. Other clubs wanted to sign him, but Busby did not let him leave.

Geoff Bent was one of eight Manchester United players who died in the Munich air disaster. This happened when their plane crashed while trying to take off from a snowy runway in Munich. They were flying home after a European Cup match in Belgrade.

Geoff's Early Life

Geoffrey Bent was born on September 27, 1932, in Salford, England. He was the only child of Clifford and Clara Bent. His father worked in a coal mine. His mother managed their home.

The family lived in a small house in Salford. Geoff went to school in Swinton. He was a good student and earned a scholarship to Tootal Road Grammar School. He was also a Boy Scout and a member of the Boys' Brigade. He loved to swim. In 1946, when he was 13, Geoff saved a child from drowning. He received a medal for his bravery.

Starting Football

Geoff's father wanted him to play rugby league. But Geoff was only interested in association football. He started as a forward but later became a defender. He played as a left back.

He played for a local team called Barton Villa. In 1946–47, he was the captain of the Salford Schoolboys team. They won the English Schools Trophy. Many big clubs noticed his talent. His mother wanted him to stay close to home. So, he signed with Manchester United.

Players could not sign professional contracts until they were 17. So, Geoff also became a joiner (someone who builds things with wood). He continued this trade during the football off-season.

Family Life

Early in his time at Manchester United, Geoff met Marion Mallandaine. They got married on June 27, 1953. They later moved into a house owned by the football club. Their home was near Old Trafford, Manchester United's stadium.

Playing for Manchester United

Geoff Bent joined Manchester United in August 1948 for a trial. In May 1949, he became an amateur player while continuing his joiner apprenticeship. For the next few years, he played very well for United's youth and reserve teams. These teams were very strong. Geoff played alongside future stars like Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards. In April 1951, when he was 18, Geoff signed a professional contract with the club.

Competing for a Spot

Geoff was expected to take over the left back position from John Aston Sr.. Aston was an older player who retired due to injuries in 1954. However, Roger Byrne, another talented player, also wanted to play left back. Byrne became Manchester United's captain in 1954. It became clear that Byrne would be the first-choice left back.

Geoff made his first game for Manchester United in December 1954. He played against Burnley because Byrne was injured. He played one more game that season when Byrne was playing for England.

Valued by the Club

Geoff's chances to play were few in the 1955–56 season. He filled in for Byrne or Bill Foulkes. Experts say that Geoff would have been a regular player for almost any other top club. He asked to leave Manchester United twice. But manager Matt Busby refused both times. Busby said Geoff was too important to the team. Geoff's wife, Marion, believed that other big clubs, like Wolverhampton Wanderers, wanted to sign him. In the 1956–57 season, Geoff played six times, always covering for Byrne or Foulkes.

Even though he didn't play often, Geoff was highly respected. Roger Byrne called him a "valuable prospect." Byrne said that having strong reserve players like Geoff pushed the main players to work harder. Bill Foulkes also said Geoff would have been a regular starter for most other teams. Foulkes described Geoff as "quiet and more studious" than his teammates. People who wrote about the Munich air disaster victims described Geoff as "tall, well built and a strong tackler." He was also known as a "good tackler and accurate passer."

The Munich Air Disaster

A white marble headstone for Geoff Bent

Geoff Bent did not play any first-team games during the 1957–58 season. He had broken his foot and was recovering. He was on crutches when his daughter, Karen, was born in September 1957.

By February 1958, Geoff was fully recovered. He was playing for the reserve team again. He was not supposed to travel with the team for their European Cup match in Belgrade. Geoff did not like flying. He often got nosebleeds and needed ear drops when he flew. Ronnie Cope was originally going to travel with the team for experience.

But just before the trip, Roger Byrne said he had a small injury. So, Busby called Geoff up to travel in case Byrne couldn't play. Geoff told his wife he didn't know why they were taking him. He was sure Roger would be fit. Geoff was right; Byrne recovered and played the match. United drew 3–3, which meant they won the overall game and moved on.

The Crash

Snow had been falling during the game in Belgrade. But the weather was better for the flight home on February 6. As the plane neared Munich-Riem Airport, the snow got worse. The plane landed safely, and the players got off while it was refueled.

Soon, everyone was back on board. The plane tried to take off twice, but both times there were engine problems. The passengers got off again while the pilots talked to the ground crew. Fifteen minutes later, they were ready to try again.

On the third try, the plane reached a speed of 117 knots. This was the speed needed to take off safely. But then, the plane hit slush on the runway and slowed down. It failed to take off and crashed off the end of the runway. The plane went through a fence and across a road. Parts of the plane hit a tree, a house, and a wooden hut that exploded.

Geoff Bent was one of 21 people who died before help arrived. This included eight journalists and seven Manchester United players. Two more people died later from their injuries. The total number of deaths was 23. Geoff's funeral was held on February 13 at St John's Church in Pendlebury.

Geoff's Legacy

Even though he wasn't a regular starter, Geoff Bent was an important part of the Busby Babes. This young Manchester United team won the First Division in both the 1955–56 and 1956–57 seasons.

Geoff's name, along with others who died in Munich, is on a memorial plaque at Old Trafford. There is also a memorial stone in Munich near the crash site.

Career Statistics