Number nine on the Bulls Advent Calender is Phil Stant.
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The striker originally started out in the Football League with Reading in 1982 before committing to a career in the Army, serving in the Falklands War. Posted in Hereford, Bolton-born Stant stood out in the local leagues and cost the Bulls £600 to buy him out of the Army.
Despite netting a hat-trick on his full debut against Newport, Bulls fans didn't see the best of Stant until Ian Bowyer replaced John Newman as manager. The fiery pair clashed off-field several times, but it prompted Stant to excel on the pitch and 28 goals in 41 League games in 1988/89 prompted Notts County to pay £175,000 for his services.
Despite a quiet time at Meadow Lane, further moves to Fulham, Cardiff, Bury, and Mansfield produced goals before he moved into coaching at Lincoln. He took over, briefly, as manager at Sincil Bank in 2000 before dropping into the non-league game with a variety of playing and management roles.
Stant finally hung up his books at Ilkeston at the age of 41, and finished his managerial career with the same club shortly after. Now working with the Football League as a Regional Officer, he will be returning to Edgar Street in 2014 as part of a reunion.