[2][3] Gaunt was born Leslie Goldberg in Leeds in 1918 to a Russian Jewish immigrant family.
[4] During the war he guested for Leeds, as well as Aldershot Town, Arsenal, Brentford and Reading, and served in the army in India.
After starting to experience antisemitism on a regular basis,[4] he changed his surname to Gaunt by deed poll in 1948.
[4] In 1950 he broke his leg in a game against Norwich City,[4] an injury which ended his playing career after 71 league appearances for Reading.
[4] He also started working for Crimpy Crisps, becoming a sales manager for the London and south-east region and ran a restaurant.