Les Green
Encyclopedia
Leslie "Les" Green is a former English
footballer and manager.
. He played for Atherstone Boys Club, Mancetter and Baddesley Colliery before being snapped up by local team Atherstone Town
.
Green then decided to try to make it with a professional team, so he managed to get a trial with Arsenal
. Unfortunately for Green, he never made the grade because manager George Swindin
said he was too short at .
came calling for Green's services and he signed for The Tigers in 1960. Following 4 appearances Green returned to Non-League football with Nuneaton Borough.
under the management of Peter Taylor.
where he made 34 appearances over the course of two seasons.
under Bob Stokoe
(ironically the same man who's tackle ended Brian Clough's playing career).
in 1968.
The season Green joined a team that was changing for the better under Clough and Taylor's management. He was part of Football League Second Division
winning team and the side that was in constant dispute with Leeds United
due to the Clough/Revie
rivalry.
in South Africa
. During his time with the Golden Boys, Green played with the likes of Alan Skirton
, Bernd Patzke
and Johnny Byrne
. Green also had the pleasure of playing alongside Stanley Matthews
in a rare guest appearance - when the man himself was into his 50's.
Sadly Green's leg was badly broken in a clash with Bobby Viljoen in a crunch derby game against arch-rivals Durban United which ended his playing career.
Green's last game was a testimonial match for former Derby County
goalkeeper Martin Taylor
in a game against Everton
on May 14, 1997. The game ended 4-1 to The Rams.
at Durban City
as assistant manager until returning to England
to taken on the role of Commercial Manager at former side Nuneaton Borough.
Green went on to become manager of Nuneaton Borough. He then went on to manage a string of Non-League clubs Hinckley Town, Tamworth
and Bedford.
farmer, who he met whilst residing in South Africa
.
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="7"|Record
|-
!P!!W!!D!!L!!GF!!GA!!Win %
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|align=left|Nuneaton Borough
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|Hinckley Town
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|Tamworth
|
|align=left|12 March 1994
|align=left|14 January 1995
|-
|align=left|Bedford
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
|}
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 and manager.
Atherstone Town
Les Green started out at a young age playing for youth teams around his hometown of AtherstoneAtherstone
Atherstone is a town in Warwickshire, England. The town is located near the northernmost tip of Warwickshire, close to the border with Staffordshire and Leicestershire and is the administrative headquarters of the borough of North Warwickshire.-History:...
. He played for Atherstone Boys Club, Mancetter and Baddesley Colliery before being snapped up by local team Atherstone Town
Atherstone Town F.C.
Atherstone Town Football Club is a football club based in Atherstone, Warwickshire, England.They were officially established in 2004 after a previous club bearing the same name folded in 1979...
.
Green then decided to try to make it with a professional team, so he managed to get a trial with 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...
. Unfortunately for Green, he never made the grade because manager George Swindin
George Swindin
George Hedley Swindin was an English football player and manager.-Playing career:A goalkeeper, Swindin was born in Campsall, Doncaster, Yorkshire. He played as an amateur for various local clubs, including Rotherham United, before turning professional in 1934 with Bradford City...
said he was too short at .
Hull City
Following this Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
came calling for Green's services and he signed for The Tigers in 1960. Following 4 appearances Green returned to Non-League football with Nuneaton Borough.
Burton Albion
After three years with Boro, Green joined Burton AlbionBurton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
under the management of Peter Taylor.
Hartlepool United
After just three months with the Brewers, Green followed Taylor to Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
where he made 34 appearances over the course of two seasons.
Rochdale
1967 saw Green on the move once again, this time playing for RochdaleRochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
under Bob Stokoe
Bob Stokoe
Robert "Bob" Stokoe was an English footballer and manager who was able, almost uniquely, to transcend the traditional north-east rivalry between the region's footballing giants, Newcastle United and Sunderland....
(ironically the same man who's tackle ended Brian Clough's playing career).
Derby County
Green was at The Dale for just over one season and made 44 appearances before for the third time in his career he was reunited with Peter Taylor but this time at Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in 1968.
The season Green joined a team that was changing for the better under Clough and Taylor's management. He was part of Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
winning team and the side that was in constant dispute with Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
due to the Clough/Revie
Don Revie
Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...
rivalry.
Durban City
In 1971 Green decided to leave top flight English football for National Football League side Durban CityDurban City Football Club
Durban City is a former South African association football club based in the city of Durban. Formed in 1959 by Norman Elliott, the club was dissolved in 1988.-History:...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. During his time with the Golden Boys, Green played with the likes of Alan Skirton
Alan Skirton
Alan Frederick Graham Skirton is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Skirton started out as a player with West Twerton Youth Club in his home city of Bath before joining Bristol City as an amateur. However, they did not retain him and he then joined hometown club Bath City in the Southern...
, Bernd Patzke
Bernd Patzke
Bernd Patzke is a former German football player.-External links:*...
and Johnny Byrne
Johnny Byrne (footballer)
John Joseph "Budgie" Byrne was an English professional football player.Johnny started his career playing for Epsom Town, and then Guildford City Youth, before moving to Football League club Crystal Palace, signing a professional contract on his 17th birthday...
. Green also had the pleasure of playing alongside Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
in a rare guest appearance - when the man himself was into his 50's.
Sadly Green's leg was badly broken in a clash with Bobby Viljoen in a crunch derby game against arch-rivals Durban United which ended his playing career.
Green's last game was a testimonial match for former Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
goalkeeper Martin Taylor
Martin Taylor (footballer born 1966)
Martin Taylor is a goalkeeping coach at Derby County and former footballer. He was a goalkeeper.-Career:A one-time apprentice coal miner, Taylor was signed from Mile Oak Rovers as understudy to Peter Shilton...
in a game against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
on May 14, 1997. The game ended 4-1 to The Rams.
Management career
Following Green’s retirement from football – he stayed in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
at Durban City
Durban City Football Club
Durban City is a former South African association football club based in the city of Durban. Formed in 1959 by Norman Elliott, the club was dissolved in 1988.-History:...
as assistant manager until returning to England
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...
to taken on the role of Commercial Manager at former side Nuneaton Borough.
Green went on to become manager of Nuneaton Borough. He then went on to manage a string of Non-League clubs Hinckley Town, Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
and Bedford.
Personal life
Green is married to Heidi, the daughter of a NatalNatal, South Africa
Natal is a region in South Africa. It stretches between the Indian Ocean in the south and east, the Drakensberg in the west, and the Lebombo Mountains in the north. The main cities are Pietermaritzburg and Durban...
farmer, who he met whilst residing in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Durban City
- Champion Of Champions: 1971
- National Football League: 1972
- Coca Cola Shield: 1972
Managerial stats
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="7"|Record
|-
!P!!W!!D!!L!!GF!!GA!!Win %
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|align=left|Nuneaton Borough
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|Hinckley Town
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
|
|align=left|12 March 1994
|align=left|14 January 1995
|-
|align=left|Bedford
|
|align=left|
|align=left|
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
|}