Len Dunderdale
Encyclopedia
William Leonard "Len" Dunderdale (6 February 1915 – 11 January 1989) was an English association footballer who played as a centre forward.
, Dunderdale started his career at Goole Town
in the East Riding of Yorkshire
. He joined Sheffield Wednesday as a 19-year-old amateur in March 1934, turning professional at the end of the season. After being released in June 1935, he joined Walsall
the following year. During his first full season for the club, he scored seven goals in one reserve game. In his second, he scored a hat-trick
in Walsall's 3–1 win over Watford
on 23 October 1937. Dunderdale was sold to Watford in 1938, for a fee of £1,000. His spell at Vicarage Road
was a short one; he played 33 games in all competitions, and ended up being the club's top scorer with 21 goals, including a hat-trick in his final game.
However, Dunderdale did not actually finish the season at Watford; in March 1939 the club accepted a £3,750 bid for his services from Leeds United. His competitive Leeds career was cut short by the Second World War. During this time he made wartime
appearances for Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town, Lincoln City
and Watford. After the war he returned to Watford, although he was less successful than before. He had put on considerable weight, and became unpopular with supporters, eventually being granted a free transfer in 1948. He joined Kent League outfit Sittingbourne
for the 1948–49 season, before retiring as a player.
, Lincolnshire on 11 January 1989, aged 73.
Playing career
Born in LincolnshireLincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, Dunderdale started his career at Goole Town
Goole A.F.C.
Goole AFC is a semi-professional English football club based in the town of Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1912. They currently compete in the Northern Premier League Division One South, which is at Level 8 on the English football league system pyramid.The club has spent its entire...
in the East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
. He joined Sheffield Wednesday as a 19-year-old amateur in March 1934, turning professional at the end of the season. After being released in June 1935, he joined Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
the following year. During his first full season for the club, he scored seven goals in one reserve game. In his second, he scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in Walsall's 3–1 win over Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 23 October 1937. Dunderdale was sold to Watford in 1938, for a fee of £1,000. His spell at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
was a short one; he played 33 games in all competitions, and ended up being the club's top scorer with 21 goals, including a hat-trick in his final game.
However, Dunderdale did not actually finish the season at Watford; in March 1939 the club accepted a £3,750 bid for his services from Leeds United. His competitive Leeds career was cut short by the Second World War. During this time he made wartime
Association football during World War II
When World War II was declared in 1939, it had a negative effect on association football; competitions were suspended and players signed up to fight, resulting in the deaths of many players.-League football:-Austria:...
appearances for Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town, Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
and Watford. After the war he returned to Watford, although he was less successful than before. He had put on considerable weight, and became unpopular with supporters, eventually being granted a free transfer in 1948. He joined Kent League outfit Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne F.C.
Sittingbourne F.C. are a football club based in Sittingbourne, Kent, England. They were established in 1886 and were founder members of the Kent League. They have reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup at least twice in their history...
for the 1948–49 season, before retiring as a player.
Later career
Following his retirement, Dunderdale fulfilled coaching and scouting roles at various clubs, including Berkhamsted Town, Sun Sports and Watford. He died in SaxilbySaxilby
Saxilby is a large village in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England, about north-west of Lincoln, on the A57 road at the junction of the B1241. It is part of the civil parish of Saxilby and Ingleby, along with the nearby village of Ingleby. Population of the civil parish in 2001 was...
, Lincolnshire on 11 January 1989, aged 73.