Len Bond
Encyclopedia
Len Bond is an English former professional football goalkeeper. He runs a sportswear business called Len Bond Teamwear.
Bond began his career as an apprentice with Bristol City
, turning professional in September 1971, although he had made his league debut on the last day of the previous season. He remained at Ashton Gate
for a further six years, most of which was spent as deputy to John Shaw
or Ray Cashley
. In November 1974 he was loaned to Exeter City
, playing 30 league games.
The following season he was loaned three times, to Torquay United
in October 1975, to Scunthorpe United
in December 1975, and to Colchester United
in January 1976, before joining NASL
side St. Louis Stars on loan for the 1976 season. Finally, in August 1977, after 30 league games for Bristol City, Bond moved to Brentford
, where he was to find regular first-team football, playing 122 league games in the next 3 years.
In October 1980 he returned to the south-west, joining Exeter City
, playing 138 league games before leaving league football, and joining Yeovil Town
. He later joined Weymouth
from where he moved to Bath City
in October 1987 for a fee of £2,000. He was ever-present for the rest of the season, but chose to return to Yeovil Town after City's relegation from the Conference at the end of the season.
He remained with Yeovil until his retirement, although did have a loan spell with Gloucester City
from November 1990 and played three games for them the following season. Soon after his retirement, a chance meeting with Alan Ball led to him becoming goalkeeping coach at Exeter City, while also running a newsagents in Exeter
. He subsequently worked as a coach at a number of clubs before coaching in the United States. He returned to the UK and worked with a number of clubs as well as coaching the FA's Youth Academy. He spent three years as goalkeeping coach with Bristol City's Youth Academy before another spell coaching in the United States.
On his return he coached at Exeter City and Torquay United before returning as goalkeeping coach to Yeovil Town.
Has just joined Bristol Rovers as goalkeeping coach.
Bond began his career as an apprentice with Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, turning professional in September 1971, although he had made his league debut on the last day of the previous season. He remained at Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average...
for a further six years, most of which was spent as deputy to John Shaw
John Shaw
John Shaw was a Captain in the early years of the United States Navy.-Biography:He was born at Mountmellick, County Laois, Ireland, in 1773, and moved to the United States in 1790, where he settled in Philadelphia, and entered the merchant marine.Appointed Lieutenant in the United States Navy on 3...
or Ray Cashley
Ray Cashley
Alec Raymond "Ray" Cashley is an English former professional football goalkeeper.He joined Bristol City as a youth player and was their number one goalkeeper in the early 1970s despite starting his career as a fullback...
. In November 1974 he was loaned to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, playing 30 league games.
The following season he was loaned three times, to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in October 1975, to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
in December 1975, and to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in January 1976, before joining NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
side St. Louis Stars on loan for the 1976 season. Finally, in August 1977, after 30 league games for Bristol City, Bond moved to Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, where he was to find regular first-team football, playing 122 league games in the next 3 years.
In October 1980 he returned to the south-west, joining Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, playing 138 league games before leaving league football, and joining Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
. He later joined Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
from where he moved to Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
in October 1987 for a fee of £2,000. He was ever-present for the rest of the season, but chose to return to Yeovil Town after City's relegation from the Conference at the end of the season.
He remained with Yeovil until his retirement, although did have a loan spell with Gloucester City
Gloucester City A.F.C.
Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
from November 1990 and played three games for them the following season. Soon after his retirement, a chance meeting with Alan Ball led to him becoming goalkeeping coach at Exeter City, while also running a newsagents in Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
. He subsequently worked as a coach at a number of clubs before coaching in the United States. He returned to the UK and worked with a number of clubs as well as coaching the FA's Youth Academy. He spent three years as goalkeeping coach with Bristol City's Youth Academy before another spell coaching in the United States.
On his return he coached at Exeter City and Torquay United before returning as goalkeeping coach to Yeovil Town.
Has just joined Bristol Rovers as goalkeeping coach.