I love this photograph

Of Les Lea, taken in February 1971 playing away at Wrexham. Big thanks to the official Twitter page.
https://x.com/BarnsleyFC/status/1863916089677144558/photo/1

 

Look at those sideburns lol

 

A lovely lovely man.
Lived next door but two to us until some years ago. He moved on to Worsborough I think. Seen him only a few times since then and he seemed to be suffering from early onset Alzheimers.
Cracking bloke and a damned good footballer too. He loved our club. Told me his greatest moment was playing in Europe with Blackpool. Think he also played with Stanly Matthews when he was a youg "un.

 

ps - thanks for posting Lil!

 

Good, loyal Barnsley player. Genuinely tried his best which one can't say for all who've worn the shirt

 

He lived at Swaithe. He used to sit in front of me in the ESL but he doesnt come now and I think you can work out why. Smashing all round bloke Les.

 

Moved to Swaithe Hall Farm development , Steve, when they converted all the farm out buildings to homes , a couple of houses away from my mother . Lovely people Les and his wife Margaret

 

Great photo, am I right in thinking Les worked for Barnsley council after he hung his boots up or am I thinking of a different player from that era Lil?

 

Yes he did

 

I thought he did, sure I remember seeing him cutting grass and such in Locke Park, came across as really nice fella

 

I only saw him towards the end of his career. My Dad used to watch him play for Blackpool in the 60's, along with a young Alan Ball. Great picture. Brightened up my morning, after last night's disappointing result.

 

Hello sailor

 

And didn't he used to live in a bungalow on Doncaster Road at Stairfoot?
Along with Frank Sharp next door ?????

 

Johnnie Evans was his neighbour .

 

He did indeed

 

Les worked for the Cemetery department after retiring from football.After a few years he was offered a way back into football when Mick Buxton asked him to be his first team coach at Huddersfield.Les turned it down because he was content in the work he was doing.

 

I thought he was a cut above our other forward players when he signed, very skilful and talented.

 

It was actually Ardsley, just after the School/Youth club. He used to watch us play football on the pitch at the back.

 

This makes me think of Nickelback lol... Look at this photograph, every time it makes me laugh!.

 

What is Nickleback?