Junior Bent

Bent began his career as a trainee at Huddersfield Town, his hometown club, making his debut in 1987. He made 36 league appearances and scored six goals for the Terriers. During the 1989–90 season, he had a loan spell at Fourth Division side Burnley, with striker Brendan O'Connell moving in the opposite direction on a similar deal. Bent made his first appearance for Burnley on 2 December 1989 in the 1–1 draw with Grimsby Town. He went on to score three times in nine matches for the Lancashire club, including two goals in the 3–0 home win over Scarborough on 9 January 1990.^[4]

In March 1990, Bent transferred to Bristol City for a £30,000 fee. He spent seven years at Ashton Gate, making more than 200 appearances in all competitions and scoring 20 league goals, and 24 in all competitions, including a brace in a 4–1 win over Hull City in October 1995, and a last-minute winner in a League Cup tie at Bristol Rovers in his final match for the club.^[5] After loan spells at Stoke City, where he played just once, away at Torquay United he went on loan again to Shrewsbury Town, in 1992 and 1996 respectively, Bent signed for Blackpool in 1997 for a nominal fee.^[1] In four years at Bloomfield Road he made just over 100 appearances and found the net on five occasions.^[6] He was released in 2001,^[7] and finished his career with brief spells at non-league clubs Kettering Town and, after a year out of the game, Lancaster City.

Bent now coaches at Preston North End. He is the Under 15s Coach.^[8][9]

Born in England, Bent is of Jamaican descent.^[10] He is a relative of the footballer Darren Bent. Bent's son Cory is also a professional footballer and played in Canada for HFX Wanderers.^[11]