Les Smith (footballer born 1927)
Encyclopedia
Leslie Joseph Smith was an English
footballer
who represented both Wolverhampton Wanderers
and Aston Villa
.
Smith began his professional career with Wolves
, making his senior debut in April 1947. He was part of the squad that won the league title in 1953/54
, although managing only four appearances during the campaign.
He played in the famous Wolves v Honved game, under the first floodlights in England. Where wolves turned around a 2-0 half time score to win 3-2 against the team, which included the great's Puskas and Yashin.
He became a regular starter in the following season, replacing the injured Jimmy Mullen as the club finished as runners-up. However, he found himself largely out of contention upon Mullen's return and so moved to Aston Villa
in February 1956 for £25,000.
Smith played for Aston Villa in the 1957 FA Cup Final
against Manchester United
's Busby Babes
, where Villa won the game 2-1 to lift the cup. However his career was cut short after an achilles
injury forced him into retirement in 1960. In total, he made 130 appearances, scoring 27 goals for Villa.
Smith died on 8 March 2008, after suffering for many years from throat and bowel cancer. He is survived by his wife Mavis and son Nigel.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who represented both Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and 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...
.
Smith began his professional career with Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, making his senior debut in April 1947. He was part of the squad that won the league title in 1953/54
1953-54 in English football
The 1953–54 season was the 74th season of competitive football in England.-National team:The Marvellous Magyars shocked football by defeating England 6–3 at Wembley Stadium.-Honours:...
, although managing only four appearances during the campaign.
He played in the famous Wolves v Honved game, under the first floodlights in England. Where wolves turned around a 2-0 half time score to win 3-2 against the team, which included the great's Puskas and Yashin.
He became a regular starter in the following season, replacing the injured Jimmy Mullen as the club finished as runners-up. However, he found himself largely out of contention upon Mullen's return and so moved to 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...
in February 1956 for £25,000.
Smith played for Aston Villa in the 1957 FA Cup Final
1957 FA Cup Final
The 1957 FA Cup Final was a football match played on 4 May 1957 at Wembley Stadium. The match was contested by Aston Villa and Manchester United. Villa won 2-1, with both of their goals scored by Peter McParland...
against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
's Busby Babes
Busby Babes
The Busby Babes were a group of Manchester United players, recruited and trained by the club's chief scout Joe Armstrong and assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, who progressed from the club's youth team into the first team under the management of the eponymous Matt Busby.The Busby Babes were notable...
, where Villa won the game 2-1 to lift the cup. However his career was cut short after an achilles
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
injury forced him into retirement in 1960. In total, he made 130 appearances, scoring 27 goals for Villa.
Smith died on 8 March 2008, after suffering for many years from throat and bowel cancer. He is survived by his wife Mavis and son Nigel.
External links
- Obituary
- Stats for Aston Villa at Aston Villa Player Database