The PFA pays tribute to former Derby County goalkeeper Les Green, who sadly passed away this week.
Green was a central figure at the Baseball Ground when The Rams won the Division Two title in 1968/1969.
The Goalkeeper’s initial foray into professional football could have been a brief one, after a trial at Arsenal he was told that at 5ft 8” he was too short by manager George Swindin.
However in 1960 he signed for Hull City and went on to make appearances for Nuneaton Borough, Burton Albion, Hartlepool United and Rochdale before signing with Derby County.
He had played for Brian Clough and Peter Taylor previously during his time with Hartlepool United, and the duo secured his services from Rochdale for a fee of £7,000 in 1968.
Green made 129 consecutive appearances for Derby County, and was an ever-present in the title winning team that secured promotion to the old Division one.
Roy McFarland played centre-half in front of Green and in an interview with Derby Telegraph spoke fondly of his former team-mate:
"Les was so positive with us and especially the younger players like myself, John Robson, Jim Walker and John McGovern. He would encourage us all the time,
"He would always be ribbing John McGovern and Jim Walker, who were on the slim side. He'd say to them: 'You're like two wish-bones – get some meat on you!'
"Les was a great character. He was the comic, the comedian, the one who kept a smile on all of our faces."
Green finished his career playing for Durban City in South Africa and was part of the team that won the National Football League in 1972.
Unfortunately Green's leg was badly broken in a crunch derby game against arch-rivals Durban United and he was forced to retire. Initially he stayed at Durban City as assistant manager but returned to take role of Commercial Manager at Nuneaton Borough, before taking his place in the dugout as first-team manager.
The PFA send their sincere condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
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