Len Stansbridge
Encyclopedia
Leonard Edward Charles Stansbridge (19 February 1919 – 19 May 1986) was an English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton
in the period either side of the Second World War.
and attended Regents Park School. In 1932, he was a member of the Southampton Schools team which won the English Schools Trophy.
In May 1936, he joined Southampton
as an amateur, signing a professional contract a few months later. He developed into a strong reliable 'keeper, although he spent most of his career at The Dell as a deputy, first to Sam Warhurst and later to Ian Black
. Stansbridge made his "Saints" debut in the final match of the 1937–38 season, when he conceded four goals at Plymouth Argyle
. Despite this, he started the following season as the first-choice keeper, but after three defeats he lost his place to Warhurst and only made two further appearances before the outbreak of war brought football to an end.
During World War II
, Stansbridge joined the Royal Army Medical Corps
, playing as a guest for Rotherham United
and Swansea Town. At the Battle of Dunkirk
, Stansbridge courageously stayed behind to tend to injured troops rather than be evacuated and was captured by the enemy, spending the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of war
in Poland.
In 1945, he returned to Southampton and was re-engaged by his home-town club, appearing four times in League South
matches as well as in all four matches played in the 1945–46 FA Cup tournament. On the re-commencement of League football in 1946, Stansbridge was once again second-choice, this time behind George Ephgrave, who had played for Aston Villa
before the war. Stansbridge and Ephgrave competed for the No. 1 jersey over the next season and a half until Ian Black
was signed in December 1947. Although Ephgrave left the club in the summer of 1948, Black's form meant that Stansbridge only made four further first-team appearances up to the summer of 1950, during which time Southampton narrowly missed out on promotion to the First Division
three seasons in a row.
Black moved to Fulham
in July 1950, with Northern Irish
international Hugh Kelly
joining the Saints in exchange. Stansbridge, now in his early thirties, had dropped down the "pecking order", with manager Sid Cann
preferring the young Eddie Thomas
when Kelly was unavailable, before signing John Christie
in January 1951. With Fred Kiernan
being signed in October 1951, Southampton now had four professional goalkeepers on their books and Stansbidge was restricted to reserve team football, before retiring in the 1953 close season.
His career as a player at Southampton spanned 17 years, of which six were interrupted by war; during this period, Stansbridge was restricted to 52 first-team appearances, but remained loyal to his hometown club, providing sterling cover whenever called upon.
and found employment at the Southampton Sports Centre as a groundsman. In 1962, he returned to The Dell when he became Southampton's groundsman where he continued to maintain the pitch until eventually retiring in the summer of 1984.
Stansbridge did not enjoy a long retirement, as he died two years later in May 1986.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the period either side of the Second World War.
Football career
Stansbridge was born in SouthamptonSouthampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and attended Regents Park School. In 1932, he was a member of the Southampton Schools team which won the English Schools Trophy.
In May 1936, he joined Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
as an amateur, signing a professional contract a few months later. He developed into a strong reliable 'keeper, although he spent most of his career at The Dell as a deputy, first to Sam Warhurst and later to Ian Black
Ian Black (footballer born 1924)
Ian Henderson Black is a former Scottish football goalkeeper. Black played for Aberdeen, Southampton and Fulham, and also played one game for Scotland....
. Stansbridge made his "Saints" debut in the final match of the 1937–38 season, when he conceded four goals at Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. Despite this, he started the following season as the first-choice keeper, but after three defeats he lost his place to Warhurst and only made two further appearances before the outbreak of war brought football to an end.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Stansbridge joined the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
, playing as a guest for Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
and Swansea Town. At the Battle of Dunkirk
Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk was a battle in the Second World War between the Allies and Germany. A part of the Battle of France on the Western Front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe from 26 May–4 June 1940.After the Phoney War, the Battle of...
, Stansbridge courageously stayed behind to tend to injured troops rather than be evacuated and was captured by the enemy, spending the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
in Poland.
In 1945, he returned to Southampton and was re-engaged by his home-town club, appearing four times in League South
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:...
matches as well as in all four matches played in the 1945–46 FA Cup tournament. On the re-commencement of League football in 1946, Stansbridge was once again second-choice, this time behind George Ephgrave, who had played for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
before the war. Stansbridge and Ephgrave competed for the No. 1 jersey over the next season and a half until Ian Black
Ian Black (footballer born 1924)
Ian Henderson Black is a former Scottish football goalkeeper. Black played for Aberdeen, Southampton and Fulham, and also played one game for Scotland....
was signed in December 1947. Although Ephgrave left the club in the summer of 1948, Black's form meant that Stansbridge only made four further first-team appearances up to the summer of 1950, during which time Southampton narrowly missed out on promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
three seasons in a row.
Black moved to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in July 1950, with Northern Irish
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
international Hugh Kelly
Hugh Kelly (goalkeeper)
Hugh Redmond Kelly was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in Northern Ireland and England, making four international appearances for Ireland.-Northern Ireland:...
joining the Saints in exchange. Stansbridge, now in his early thirties, had dropped down the "pecking order", with manager Sid Cann
Sid Cann
Sydney Thomas Cann was an English professional football defender and football manager. He was capped twice by England at Schools level.-Playing career:...
preferring the young Eddie Thomas
Eddie Thomas (footballer)
Edwin Henry Charles "Eddie" Thomas is a retired English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the early 1950s.-Football career:...
when Kelly was unavailable, before signing John Christie
John Christie (footballer born 1929)
John Alexander Christie is a retired football goalkeeper who played for Southampton F.C. for most of the 1950s.-Playing career:...
in January 1951. With Fred Kiernan
Fred Kiernan
Frederick William Kiernan was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the 1940s and 1950s.-Playing career:...
being signed in October 1951, Southampton now had four professional goalkeepers on their books and Stansbidge was restricted to reserve team football, before retiring in the 1953 close season.
His career as a player at Southampton spanned 17 years, of which six were interrupted by war; during this period, Stansbridge was restricted to 52 first-team appearances, but remained loyal to his hometown club, providing sterling cover whenever called upon.
Later career
After his professional career was over, Stansbridge made a few appearances for Basingstoke TownBasingstoke Town F.C.
Basingstoke Town Football Club is an English football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Camrose, named after their late benefactor, Lord Camrose. Their motto, 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', means 'No stepping...
and found employment at the Southampton Sports Centre as a groundsman. In 1962, he returned to The Dell when he became Southampton's groundsman where he continued to maintain the pitch until eventually retiring in the summer of 1984.
Stansbridge did not enjoy a long retirement, as he died two years later in May 1986.