Editing Geoff Bent (section)

==Early life==
Geoffrey Bent was born on 27 September 1932 at [[Irlams o' th' Height]] in [[Salford]], Lancashire.{{sfn|Somerscales et al.|1998|p=66}} He was the only child of Clifford Bent, a [[wikt:surfaceman|surfaceman]] at [[Sandhole Colliery]], and his wife Clara (née Dunning).{{sfn|Connor|2020|p=94}}{{sfn|Crick|2017}} He grew up in a matriarchal working-class family; his father was the sole money earner, but his mother ran the household and had more influence on her son.{{sfn|Connor|2007|p=113}} The family lived in a small house in Jackson's Buildings, Salford, at the back of a shop; the only entrance was from a side alley, and the house had no indoor toilet. Bent received his education in [[Swinton, Greater Manchester|Swinton]]; he first attended St John's Junior School, and then was awarded a scholarship to Tootal Road Grammar School. He was a member of both the [[The Scout Association|Boy Scouts]] and the [[Boys' Brigade]], and a keen swimmer. In 1946, aged 13, Bent saved another child from drowning in the [[Manchester and Salford Junction Canal]], and was awarded a medal by his local [[Royal Humane Society|Humane Society]].{{sfn|Roberts|2012|loc=loc. 822–849}}

Although Bent was encouraged to play [[rugby league]] by both his father, who supported the local [[Swinton Lions|Swinton club]], and one of his teachers, he was only ever interested in playing [[association football]].{{sfn|Roberts|2012|loc=loc. 836–863}} Bent began as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]], playing at [[inside left]], but later moved into the [[Defender (association football)|defence]], first as a [[Half back (association football)|half back]] and then [[left back]]. He played for Barton Villa in local league football, and in the 1946–47 season, he captained the Salford Schoolboys team to victory in the English Schools Trophy, beating a Leicester team in the final.{{sfn|Roberts|2012|loc=loc. 849–863}}{{sfn|Connor|2007|pp=113–114}} His performances for Salford drew the attention of several prominent clubs. Bent's mother did not want him to leave home, and she swayed him to sign a contract with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].{{sfn|Manchester United website}} At the time, players were not allowed to sign a professional contract with a team until the age of 17, so like many of his teammates, Bent also took on an apprenticeship as a [[Joinery|joiner]],{{sfn|Morrin|2007|loc=loc. PT27}} a trade he continued during the summer breaks between football seasons.{{sfn|Roberts|2012|loc=loc. 913–926}} After signing for Manchester United, a teenage Bent met Marion Mallandaine, initially when he had been dating her younger sister, Betty.{{sfn|Roberts|2012|loc=loc. 849–874}} His relationship with Betty did not last very long, and he married Marion on 27 June 1953 in [[Pendlebury]],{{sfn|Crick|2017}} and the couple later moved into one of the football club's houses on King's Road, not far from the club's home ground of [[Old Trafford]].{{sfn|Roberts|2012|loc=loc. 862–874}}