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AN EX-PREMIER League star has gone from earning millions to claiming benefits and fighting court battles.Marcus Bent, 45, enjoyed a stellar career with spells at Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves and represented England at U21 level.
Marcus Bent celebrates scoring for Everton against Southampton in 2005Credit: Getty
Bent arriving at Guildford Crown Court in February 2016Credit: Simon Jones – The Sun
The London-born striker notched more than 100 goals across 14 different clubs, before falling out of the professional game in 2012.
He attempted to make a comeback with non-league sides Wick, based in Sussex, and Suffolk-based Cornard United, but his life deteriorated as he moved away from full-time football.
Last week, Bent fought off bankruptcy trustees who tried for four years to seize a London property.
London’s specialist Insolvency and Companies Court heard he owned the house and should hand it over to help pay off debts.
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But Bent said the property belonged to his 19-year-old daughter after he purchased it for her in 2006 and intended for it to be held in a trust.
Judge Clive Jones ruled in his favour, but told the court Bent’s estimated debt following bankruptcy proceedings brought by tax officials was “a couple of million”.
It is a fall from grace from the £20,000 a week he earned at the height of his football career, amassing £10m in total.
Bent turned to alcohol and drugs following his retirement, being hit with a conviction for drink driving and a suspended sentence when he called police to his home while under the influence of cocaine.
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Struggling with managing his finances, Bent was also forced to claim Universal Credit benefits.
The revelation emerged as he was banned from the road after admitting drink driving in February last year.
Bent was caught behind the wheel while nearly four times the limit while driving his grey BMW X5 three-litre diesel on the A3 at Tibbet’s Corner in south-west London.
He was disqualified from driving for 32 months following a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
A probation officer blamed his split from his ex-girlfriend, mental health issues and bankruptcy.
Bent’s lawyer Scott Ewing also told the court the ex-footballer was “remorseful” while outlining his financial woes.
Mr Ewing told the court: “He is not working at the moment, but does some football match commentary and recently was on Universal Credit.
Bent received the Premier League player of the month award in February 2002Credit: Getty
Bent was banned from driving following a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ CourtCredit: Square Mile News
“He has no income, save for a £20,000 return on an investment, and says he had depression that led to drug and alcohol issues in the past.”
The lawyer also described how football had been a “comfort blanket” for Bent, who struggled with going from a “high-profile, successful career to nothing”.
He added: “Unfortunately sycophants and leeches provided unregulated investment advice.
“He has now hit rock bottom, from where he’s looking up and there’s only one direction to go and that’s to give advice to others so they don’t fall into the same traps.
“It is a pity it has taken something like this for Mr Bent to get the assistance he needs.”
The troubled former footballer received a suspended prison sentence after a conviction for possession of cocaine and affray following an incident in which he was Tasered by police at his home in Esher, Surrey, in September 2015.
Bent called police from his bathroom fearing for his left shortly after 9.30pm.
He believed someone was inside his apartment and three officers arrived 16 minutes later.
A battering ram was used to break down the door, but officers when then faced with a topless Bent holding a meat cleaver and knife in either hand.
Bent told The Athletic: “I was paranoid. I was hallucinating. I felt there were people in my house. I remember thinking the door handle was moving.
“I called the police and I picked up something to defend myself. When the police came, I went to the door with these knives.
“If I think back, obviously I should have put the knives down but I wasn’t in a good way. So, of course, they were terrified — someone who’s on drugs, someone who’s paranoid, with two knives.
“They tasered me and I think you know the rest. But I remember going into the police station and actually feeling secure and safe. ‘I’m locked up now. No one can get me’.
“That’s how my mind was at that time. Then, the next morning, there was talk of me being charged with attempted murder. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“At no point was I ever going to take someone’s life. I called them because I was hallucinating, paranoid, terrified.”
Bent was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence for admitting affray and possession of cocaine in February 2016.
He found himself back in trouble with police when he was arrested at Chessington World of Adventures in June later the same year and charged with cocaine possession.
Bent was fined £385 with £85 costs.
But he was successful in court last week when the Insolvency and Companies Court found the London property “fell outside the bankruptcy estate” and that trustees administering the estate, had “no interest” in it.
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His daughter is from a former relationship with ex-fiancee Kelly Clark which ended in 2006, the same year he got together with Hollyoaks actress and future Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson.
After they too split he later dated model and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Danielle Lloyd.
Bent pictured playing for Birmingham CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Bent (playing for Wolves) has had a fall from grace since his playing daysCredit: PA:Empics Sport More