Marcus Bent

Brentford

Bent graduated through the Brentford youth team ranks, usually playing as a forward. He broke into the first-team at Griffin Park in 1995–96 under manager David Webb, helping the Bees to a 15th-place finish in the Second Division. Bent was almost ever-present in a successful season that saw Brentford reach the play-offs in 1996–97 with a fourth-place finish. He played at Wembley in the play-off final defeat to Crewe Alexandra. He was substituted after 70 minutes for Scott Canham. Bent then scored five goals in 29 games in 1997–98, as the Bees struggled in vain to avoid relegation under Eddie May and then his replacement Micky Adams.

Crystal Palace

Though not a prolific striker for Brentford, Bent's potential was spotted by Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell, who brought Bent to Selhurst Park for £300,000 on 8 January 1998. The Eagles were relegated out of the Premier League in last place in 1997–98. However, Bent had shown his ability with five goals in 16 games, including strikes at Stamford Bridge and Anfield. However, he remained goalless in 15 appearances in 1998–99, as Palace struggled under new boss Terry Venables. With the club heading for administration, he was sold to First Division rivals Port Vale for £300,000 on 15 January 1999, as one of long-term manager John Rudge's last purchases.

Port Vale

Rudge was unable to make the most of his new player, as chairman Bill Bell controversially sacked Rudge and hired Brian Horton.…

Bent represented his England at under-21 level in May 1998, in games against South Africa and Argentina.

Bent was born in Hammersmith, London, to parents of Jamaican origin. Before signing a scholarship with Brentford in 1994, he was named Marcus Lecky. He has a younger brother, Elliott, who is ten years his junior and is also a footballer. Elliott was a youth team player at Fulham, until injury saw him released in 2007. He dropped into non-League football and has played for Dorchester Town, Welling United and Hampton & Richmond Borough. Bent had been engaged to Kelly Clark, with whom he has a daughter, but their relationship ended, and they split up. He has since been involved with model Danielle Lloyd and actress Gemma Atkinson, to whom he was briefly engaged. After his playing career ended, Bent entered the oil business. However, he left the industry and his life went into a steep decline as he struggled with mental health problems, using drugs to self medicate. He was charged with affray and possession of a Class A drug in September 2015 after police used a taser whilst arresting him at his home in Esher, Surrey. He had called 999 after believing intruders were in his house, but was tasered by police responding to the call. In February 2016 he admitted to one charge of affray and possession of cocaine; he was given a suspended 12-month prison sentence, a two-month curfew and 200 hours of compulsory unpaid work. Four months later he was fined £385 with £85 costs after being found with cocaine at Chessington World of Adventures. He was declared bankrupt in January 2019.

Blackburn Rovers

Football League First Division second-place promotion: 2000–01 Birmingham City

Football League Championship second-place promotion: 2008–09 Individual

Premier League Player of the Month: January 2002