Len Wills
Encyclopedia
Leonard Edward "Len" Wills (born November 8, 1927) is an English
former football
player.
Born in Hackney
, London
, Wills first played for the youth teams of non-league Eton Manor
, before being signed by Arsenal
in October 1949. For the next four years he played in the Gunners' reserve team, playing either at right half or right back
. In October 1953, Arsenal's regular right back, Joe Wade
, damaged his knee, and Wills promptly stepped up to replace him, making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur
on October 10, 1953 – Arsenal won 4-1.
Wills played so well that he replaced Wade for the rest of that season, playing 30 matches, and another 24 in 1954-55
. However, the Gunners signed Stan Charlton
in November 1955 and he displaced Wills out of the Arsenal first team. Wills became a bit-part player for the next couple of seasons, deputising for Charlton at right back or Dennis Evans
at left back.
After Charlton left the club in 1958, Wills regained the right back position, and became a regular in the side for the next three seasons, but by 1961 his age was starting to count against him. Youngsters Dave Bacuzzi
and Eddie Magill
shared the right-back spot during 1961-62
, with Wills not getting a single game. He left the club on a free transfer at the end of that season, signing for Romford
. In all he played 208 games for Arsenal, scoring 4 goals. He never won a major trophy at Arsenal (arriving in the first team just after the Gunners' 1952-53
title triumph), although he did play in the Gunners' 1953-54
Charity Shield win over Blackpool
.
After retiring from playing, Wills left the game completely and had a highly successful second career in the DIY retail trade.And i currently living in epping in essex.
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...
former football
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...
player.
Born in Hackney
Metropolitan Borough of Hackney
The Metropolitan Borough of Hackney was a Metropolitan borough of the County of London from 1900 to 1965. Its area became part of the London Borough of Hackney.-Formation and boundaries:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Wills first played for the youth teams of non-league Eton Manor
Eton Manor F.C.
-Early years:The club was formed in 1901 by rich and influential families of the likes of Barings, Villiers and Lord Chelsea for the benefit of bringing sport to the poor and underprivileged youth of the East End of London...
, before being signed by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in October 1949. For the next four years he played in the Gunners' reserve team, playing either at right half or right back
Right Back
-Guest Artists:This album features many additional artists, including:* Barrington Levy, performing on "Righteous Dub" & "Saw Red"* H.R., performing on "New Sun"* Dangr, performing on "Kick Down"* Tippa Irie, performing on "Sensi"...
. In October 1953, Arsenal's regular right back, Joe Wade
Joe Wade
Joseph Samuel "Joe" Wade was an English footballer and manager.Wade was born in Shoreditch, London and joined Arsenal as an amateur in 1944...
, damaged his knee, and Wills promptly stepped up to replace him, making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on October 10, 1953 – Arsenal won 4-1.
Wills played so well that he replaced Wade for the rest of that season, playing 30 matches, and another 24 in 1954-55
1954-55 in English football
The 1954–1955 season was the 75th season of competitive football in England, from August 1954 to May 1955:-Overview:* Chelsea win the League Championship for the first time.* Newcastle United win the FA Cup....
. However, the Gunners signed Stan Charlton
Stan Charlton
Stanley "Stan" Charlton is an English former football player and manager. He is the son of Stanley Charlton, who played at full back for Exeter City and Crystal Palace during the 1920s and 1930s...
in November 1955 and he displaced Wills out of the Arsenal first team. Wills became a bit-part player for the next couple of seasons, deputising for Charlton at right back or Dennis Evans
Dennis Evans
Dennis Joseph Evans was an English football player.Born in Old Swan, Liverpool, Evans first played junior football for his hometown club, Ellesmere Port Town. He had an unsuccessful trial with Wolves, before signing for London side Arsenal and moving to Harringay in January 1951...
at left back.
After Charlton left the club in 1958, Wills regained the right back position, and became a regular in the side for the next three seasons, but by 1961 his age was starting to count against him. Youngsters Dave Bacuzzi
Dave Bacuzzi
David Reno Bacuzzi , commonly referred to as Dave Bacuzzi is a former English footballer and manager who played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Reading. He also represented England as a youth international...
and Eddie Magill
Eddie Magill
Edward James Magill is a Northern Irish former footballer.Magill began his career with Portadown but moved to London club Arsenal in May 1959. He made his debut for the side against Sheffield Wednesday on 19 December 1959...
shared the right-back spot during 1961-62
1961-62 in English football
The 1961–62 season was the 82nd season of competitive Football in England.-Overview:The season was notable for the remarkable achievement of Ipswich Town winning the League Championship. Under the managership of Alf Ramsey, the club progressed from the old Third Division South to the First Division...
, with Wills not getting a single game. He left the club on a free transfer at the end of that season, signing for Romford
Romford F.C.
Romford F.C. is an English football club based in Romford, Greater London. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Isthmian League, and play at Mill Field in Aveley.-History:...
. In all he played 208 games for Arsenal, scoring 4 goals. He never won a major trophy at Arsenal (arriving in the first team just after the Gunners' 1952-53
1952-53 in English football
The 1952–53 season was the 73rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:This was the closest championship win in English league history at the time, with Arsenal claiming the title by just 0.099 of a goal. Both Arsenal and Preston had identical records aside from their goal averages...
title triumph), although he did play in the Gunners' 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:...
Charity Shield win over Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
.
After retiring from playing, Wills left the game completely and had a highly successful second career in the DIY retail trade.And i currently living in epping in essex.