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.
External links
Stats for Aston Villa at Aston Villa Player Database
January 10, 2023
smith, footballer, born, 1927, other, people, named, leslie, smith, leslie, smith, disambiguation, leslie, joseph, smith, december, 1927, march, 2008, english, footballer, represented, both, wolverhampton, wanderers, aston, villa, smithpersonal, informationful. For other people named Les or Leslie Smith see Leslie Smith disambiguation Leslie Joseph Smith 24 December 1927 8 March 2008 was an English footballer who represented both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa Les SmithPersonal informationFull nameLeslie Joseph SmithDate of birth 1927 12 24 24 December 1927Place of birthHalesowen Worcestershire EnglandDate of death8 March 2008 2008 03 08 aged 80 Place of deathStourbridge West Midlands EnglandPosition s Outside rightSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1947 1956Wolverhampton Wanderers88 22 1956 1960Aston Villa115 24 Club domestic league appearances and goalsSmith 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 External links EditObituary Stats for Aston Villa at Aston Villa Player Database Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Les Smith footballer born 1927 amp oldid 1025634914, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
