Les Hart
Encyclopedia
John Leslie 'Les' Hart was a professional footballer who has an association with one club, Bury F.C.
for 44 years.
and started his footballing career at Earlstown White Star. He as quickly scouted and a number of clubs were after his signature including Liverpool but he signed for Bury
, starting a career which would last until 1980 in various roles.
He took over the right-back position from Irish International Bill Gorman. He made his debut against Tottenham
on the 17th December 1936. Hart would become Bury's captain for 12 seasons and in 1948/49 season he skippered a side that found themselves four points clear as leaders of Division 2.
His career spanned the era of footballing greats including Tom Finney
, Sir Stanley Matthews
, Bill Shankly
, Bob Paisley
and Frank Swift
. He completed his football coaches badges and physiopherapy diploma at Lillishall in preparation for his retirement from playing which came after the 1953/54 season. Although his career shows 265 appearances for Bury, he also made over 200 appearances during the war years of 1939-45. After quitting from playing, he worked at Bury as first team trainer/coach, and became the club's physiotherapist. Leeds United offered him a position as head coach but he turned it down to stay at Bury.
In season 1969/70 he was asked to take up the position of manager and he steered the club to a record 8-0 win against Tranmere Rovers. In 1971 he reverted back to his job as physiotherapist. Les retired on the 29th March 1980 after 44 years at one club, Les decided the time was right to look after his wife May, who had suffered from ill health for some time.
game in his honour, but the National Football Museum
in Preston staged an exhibition and displayed his ashes in their hall of fame.
On 17 January 2010, the South Stand at Gigg Lane
was re-named The Les Hart Stand.
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
for 44 years.
Early career
Hart was born in Ashton-in-MakerfieldAshton-in-Makerfield
Ashton-in-Makerfield is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester. It is situated south of Wigan, north-northwest of Warrington and west of the city of Manchester. In 2001 it had a population of 28,505....
and started his footballing career at Earlstown White Star. He as quickly scouted and a number of clubs were after his signature including Liverpool but he signed for Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, starting a career which would last until 1980 in various roles.
He took over the right-back position from Irish International Bill Gorman. He made his debut against Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on the 17th December 1936. Hart would become Bury's captain for 12 seasons and in 1948/49 season he skippered a side that found themselves four points clear as leaders of Division 2.
His career spanned the era of footballing greats including Tom Finney
Tom Finney
Sir Thomas Finney, OBE is a former English footballer, famous for his loyalty to his league club, Preston North End, and for his performances in the English national side....
, Sir 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'...
, Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly
William "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
, Bob Paisley
Bob Paisley
Robert "Bob" Paisley OBE was an English football half back turned manager. His association with Liverpool was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager.In nine years as manager between 1974...
and Frank Swift
Frank Swift
Frank Victor Swift was an English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester City and England. After starting his career with local clubs near his home town of Blackpool, in 1932 he was signed by First Division Manchester City, with whom he played his entire professional career.Swift...
. He completed his football coaches badges and physiopherapy diploma at Lillishall in preparation for his retirement from playing which came after the 1953/54 season. Although his career shows 265 appearances for Bury, he also made over 200 appearances during the war years of 1939-45. After quitting from playing, he worked at Bury as first team trainer/coach, and became the club's physiotherapist. Leeds United offered him a position as head coach but he turned it down to stay at Bury.
In season 1969/70 he was asked to take up the position of manager and he steered the club to a record 8-0 win against Tranmere Rovers. In 1971 he reverted back to his job as physiotherapist. Les retired on the 29th March 1980 after 44 years at one club, Les decided the time was right to look after his wife May, who had suffered from ill health for some time.
Recognition
Hart died on 20 August 1996, but he had never received any formal recognition during his lifetime from Bury. There had not been a testimonialTestimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
game in his honour, but the National Football Museum
National Football Museum
The National Football Museum was a museum in Preston, Lancashire, England founded to preserve, conserve and interpret several important collections of association football memorabilia. It was built outside Deepdale, which as of 2010 is the oldest continuously used football league ground in the world...
in Preston staged an exhibition and displayed his ashes in their hall of fame.
On 17 January 2010, the South Stand at Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
was re-named The Les Hart Stand.