Les Smith (footballer, born 1927)

Leslie Joseph Smith (24 December 1927 – 8 March 2008) was an English footballer who represented both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa.

Les Smith
Personal information
Full name Leslie Joseph Smith
Date of birth (1927-12-24)24 December 1927
Place of birth Halesowen, Worcestershire, England
Date of death 8 March 2008(2008-03-08) (aged 80)
Place of death Stourbridge, West Midlands, England
Playing position(s) Outside right
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1947–1956 Wolverhampton Wanderers 88 (22)
1956–1960 Aston Villa 115 (24)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

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.

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