Leslie Strong (born 3 July 1953) is an English former footballer who played as a left back. He spent the majority of his career playing for Fulham, where he began as a youth player in 1969 under the guidance of World Cup winner George Cohen. Between 1972 and 1983, Strong made 427 appearances, including 373 League games, putting him ninth in the all time Fulham appearance list.[2] After appearing in all 57 regular-season games, Strong missed the 1975 FA Cup final against West Ham United, due to injury.[2]

Les Strong
Personal information
Full name Leslie Strong[1]
Date of birth (1953-07-03) 3 July 1953 (age 71)
Place of birth Lambeth, England
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
1969 Fulham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1983 Fulham 372 (5)
1982–1983Brentford (loan) 5 (0)
1983–1984 Crystal Palace 7 (0)
1984–1985 Rochdale 1 (0)
Total 385 (5)
Managerial career
1991–1994 Anguilla
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

In the 1981–82 season, manager Malcolm Macdonald made Strong the Fulham club captain and under his leadership, Fulham were promoted to the Second Division.[2] In 1981, Strong was granted a testimonial season, for his 10 years of service, culminating in a match against England.[2] After a brief loan to Brentford and a single season at Crystal Palace, he ended his career with a single game for Rochdale. Strong retired in 1985.[3] He went on to manage the Anguilla national football team and Petite Rivière Noire FC of the Mauritian League. Under his management, they won the Mauritian Cup for the first time in 2007, thus qualifying for the African cup winners cup.[citation needed]

Since 2002, Strong has been a popular match day host in Fulham's hospitality lounges.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1990). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 340. ISBN 0907969542.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Les Strong". Fulham F.C. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Les Strong". neilbrown.newcastlefans.com. Retrieved 13 February 2011.