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Len Allchurch

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Welsh footballer

Len Allchurch
Personal information
Full name Leonard Allchurch
Date of birth (1933-09-12)12 September 1933
Place of birth Swansea, Wales
Date of death 16 November 2016(2016-11-16) (aged 83)
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950–1961 Swansea Town 276 (49)
1961–1965 Sheffield United 123 (32)
1965–1969 Stockport County 131 (16)
1969–1971 Swansea City 71 (11)
Total 604 (108)
International career
1955–1963 Wales 11 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Leonard Allchurch (12 September 1933 – 16 November 2016) was a Welsh professional footballer. Allchurch played in the English Football League for almost twenty years, playing in the top flight with Sheffield United and having lengthy spells with Swansea City and Stockport County. A Welsh international, he was born in Swansea and was the brother of fellow international Ivor Allchurch. He had the distinction of never receiving a booking or a caution throughout his entire Football League career.

Club career

Allchurch began his career with Swansea Town and, having signed professional terms in October 1950, he made his debut at the age of 17.

With Sheffield United manager John Harris looking to reignite their faltering promotion push he offered £12,000 for Allchurch but the deal was rejected. United were undeterred and finally agreed a deal for £18,000 in March 1961. Allchurch had an immediate impact, scoring on his debut and adding a further five goals in the final seven games of the season, helping his new club to clinch promotion. He remained an important part of the United first team for the following three years making over 140 appearances in total and scoring 37 goals.

In March 1965, he moved to Division Four side Stockport County for £10,000, becoming the most expensive signing in club history. He made his debut for the club on 6 September 1965 in a 2–1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers and helped the club gain promotion to Division Three in his second year at Edgeley Park. After winning the club's player of the year award in his final season, he returned to Swansea City where he ended his professional playing career. He subsequently played for Haverfordwest having moved to the club in July 1971.

International career

Allchurch first joined his brother Ivor in the Welsh national team in April 1955 against Ireland. He earned 11 caps for his country.

Post football

On his retirement Allchurch became a hotelier in Swansea before running a leather goods business. Allchurch died at the age of 83 on 16 November 2016.

References

  1. ^ Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
  2. "Past players". Swansea City AFC. 10 September 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  3. "Len Allchurch". Stockport County F.C. 27 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  4. "Players of the past".
  5. Maurice Golesworthy, ed. (1965). Soccer Who's Who. London: The Sportsmans Book Club.
  6. "Swansea City legend and former Wales international Len Allchurch dies aged 83". WalesOnline. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
Wales squad – 1958 FIFA World Cup
Wales
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