TWIH: Len Chalmers Remembered

Between 1958 and 1965, Corby-born Len played over 200 games at right-back for Leicester City. All of his league games for the City were in the old First Division. His role in the 1961 FA Cup Final has entered into Club folklore.

It is hard to imagine a more pressured game than the one in which Len made his debut in April 1958. Leicester City, promoted to the top flight as record breakers at the end of the previous season, had to gain at least a point at St Andrew’s in the last match of the season against Birmingham City in order to stay up. Manger David Halliday chose this game to give the young Len his debut. In the event, Leicester kept their first clean sheet of the season, won 1-0 and stayed up. Len had arrived.

He established himself as a regular first teamer towards the end of the following season. By this time, Matt Gillies had become the manager. Len was one of a group of young players who made their debuts in the late 1950s and who went on to become central to the success the Club enjoyed over the next few years. These young players included Gordon Banks, Richie Norman, Frank McLintock, Ian King and Howard Riley.

Outside-right Riley this week remembered his friend Len.

“When we were young players, Len, Colin Appleton and myself lived in Club houses in Bridewell Road, in Aylestone. We would travel together on the bus into training each day. Len was a big mate of (centre-forward) Ken Keyworth.

“Len was a tough tackling full-back. He was an honest player who always gave 100 per cent effort. He was a good passer of the ball, who provided good service. He linked well with the wingers. He would give you the ball where you wanted it. Like the rest of the players at that time, he was a good team player. He was very committed. He was also versatile. Once, when I was injured, he went on to the right wing in my place.”

Howard then recalled the crippling injury Len suffered following a challenge from Les Allen 20 minutes into the 1961 FA Cup Final against Spurs. In those days, there were no substitutes so Len, barely able to move, had to go onto the left wing purely to make a nuisance of himself for 70 minutes. Leicester gallantly held on until the final 20 minutes when Spurs scored, before going on to win the game 2-0.

“Len’s injury was really significant,” Howard added. “It cost us the Cup. We had to put Frank McLintock to right-back, and withdraw Ken Keyworth from up front to play at wing-half.”

Following the 1961 FA Cup Final, Len was an ever-present the following season, not only in the old First Division, but also in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He was also respected in the dressing room. He was the Club’s PFA representative at the time when negotiations were taking place nationally to abolish the maximum wage in 1961.

Early in 1963, he lost his place to the up-and-coming John Sjoberg, and he missed out in the 1963 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. He had a couple more spells in the team in the two seasons which followed before signing for Notts County.

Alan Woollett, who played in the 1969 FA Cup Final, this week remembered some advice given to him by Len when he was a youngster playing in the reserves alongside the then-veteran Len.

“He showed me how to take a penalty,” Alan recalled.

“He said that you had to hit it so hard that if it hit the goalkeeper, he would be knocked into the back of the net. That’s exactly what he used to do. I’ll never forget it.”

There is a photograph on the main staircase at King Power Stadium of a forlorn Len sitting down after the Cup Final with the huge lump on his leg, caused by the injury, clearly visible. It is not hard to understand why, given Len’s tough, committed, uncompromising approach to the game, those of who watched him each week gave him the nickname ‘Chopper’. This was several years before Chelsea’s Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris acquired the same nickname, for similar reasons.

Those of us who were privileged to watch ‘Chopper’ Chalmers from the terraces will never forget him. It is with great sadness we learnt of his passing this week. What adds to the sadness is the news that his wife died eight days before him.

The Club’s sincere sympathies go to Len’s family.

Photography

Len (back row, first left) before City's game against West Ham United at Upton Park in November 1963. (LCFC Archive)

Leicester's Lady Mayoress helps the injured Len after the '61 Final. (LCFC Archive)

Len (right) and Frank McLintock challenge Tottenham and England striker Jimmy Greaves at Filbert Street (Nov 1962). (PA)

Len (seated on the ground, right) in the 1962/63 team photograph. (LCFC Archive)