Len Beel

William John Leonard Beel (born 23 August 1945), generally known as Len Beel, is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City.[1] He also appeared for Somerset County Cricket Club.

Len Beel
Personal information
Full name William John Leonard Beel
Date of birth (1945-08-23) 23 August 1945
Place of birth Leominster, England
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1961–1963 Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1965 Shrewsbury Town 3 (0)
1965 Birmingham City 1 (0)
1965–1967 Bath City
1967–19?? Shifnal Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Beel was born in Leominster, Herefordshire. A goalkeeper, he joined Shrewsbury Town as an apprentice in 1961, and turned professional two years later.[2] He made three appearances for the club in the Third Division,[3] and moved on to Birmingham City in January 1965 as cover for Johnny Schofield. Beel played only once for Birmingham's first team. With relegation from the First Division already confirmed,[2] he turned out in the penultimate game of the 1964–65 season, at home to Blackburn Rovers, a game which finished as a 5–5 draw.[4] Released soon afterwards,[2] he spent two seasons as a regular with Southern League club Bath City before joining Shifnal Town.[5]

In June 1969, Beel made his only major appearance as a cricketer, making 1 not out and taking 0/18 from 2 overs for Somerset in a Sunday League match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.[6][7]

References
  1. "Len Beel". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  2. Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  3. "Shrewsbury Town : 1950/51 – 2002/03 & 2004/05 – 2007/08". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  4. Matthews, p. 200.
  5. "Past players: B". Bath City F.C. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  6. "Len Beel". cricinfo. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  7. "Warwickshire v Somerset at Birmingham, 22 Jun 1969". cricinfo. Retrieved 9 April 2009.


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