Len Badger

[Groucho Blade]

RIP Len.
One of my favourite players from the great 71 promotion team. I collected autographs back in those days and he always had time and a kind word for a star-struck kid.

 

[Swinton Blade]

Never saw him play but I met him when he was hosting a Bramhall Lane against Ipswich the year we went down.

Lovely bloke with some great stories.

RIP

 

[CarlMcBlade]

As a young kid clinging to the east terrace railings, on John street. He was the very first player I saw at close quarters. What an impression he made on me at that earth age...RIP Len.

 

[iBlade.]

I first started going to the Lane in 1972 so fondly remember Len Badger, when I harp back to those days I will always say what a team we had back then with the likes of Currie, Woody and Badger, of course there was more good players in that era but those three always rolled of the tongue first. Also as previously mentioned Len was described as the best right back never to play for England. RIP.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

For those who watched the Blades when Len broke into the first team and then won promotion in 70/71, who actually kept him out of the England team in those few great seasons ?? They’d better be bloody good !!

 

[haich1889]

If you look at my status statement, This man was my 1st blades hero. It was a Toss up between The fight right back Never to play For England Or Jeff Salmons.
I shawls well, As a 5 year old my 1st replica shirt Had a number 2 on the back that was almost as big as me.
So sad and God must be Taking out some kind of vendetta Against us blades this year as this has to be A final dagger to the heart.
I never met the great Len Badger But had the great fortune to meet his sister in 9096 when I was a mature student at Harlem University. She served behind the counter In the dining Hall. She was a lovely down-to-earth Woman a Quality which I can only assume Ran in the family.
I believe it be able to make it in today's football, And on reflection probably part of the best footballing side I have personally seen at bramall lane.
Rest in peace Len Badger, Sheffield has lost A true legend.
I'm absolutely gutted you're My 1st ever hero in red and white stripes.

 

[Long Time Lurker]

So sad. Len was our right full back when i started watching, what a fantastic player and what a lovely man. Condolences to all his friends and family.
A true Blades legend. R.I.P Sir Len.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Before my time, but his is the first name that ever comes to my mind when I think about ‘proper’ old Sheffield United teams. One of a handful of players who really makes SUFC what it is.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

I was unlucky and never saw him play, although my late Father in law played with him in the Sheffield boys teams and said how good he was.

I was lucky enough to bump into him in Hereford a few years ago (with Ted Helmsley) and spent an hour or so talking all things Utd.

What a lovely man, and a legend.

R.I.P Len

 

[Kop sufferer]

Devastating news, Len was a true Blades legend, but much more importantly a true Gentleman.

 

[Paisley Blade]

I was too young to properly understand what a great player he was but find silverfox description of him as 'the TC of the back 4' absolutely perfect, as the reaction of the crowd when TC and/or Badge was on the ball was very similar. Confidence and anticipation that something good was about to happen. It generally did.

He played against us (Whitley Hall) for a Dronfield cricket team circa 1977 ( you'll maybe know which one Silent Blade?). I was scoring and can remember he opened and hit 51 with my Dad saying ' hardly a surprise he's good at cricket as well..!'

The only time I ever met him, in the posh seats in 2011, we swapped a few memories and the glint in his eye was as memorable as the hearty slap on the back he gave me as we separated.

RIP Badge.

 

[Plymouthblade]

Rip Len

 

[cmbillm]

He represented everything good about Sheffield United… he was one of the standout characters and players in that 70/71 era. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Hagan's boot]

Oh what awful news. I have known Len since he first played for his beloved blades, and subsequently for many years afterwards, in a professional capacity.
He was always such good fun to talk to and we had many a happy banter.
I am so so sorry, he was a fabulous footballer and a real gent.
My sincere condolences go out to his family at this terrible time.

 

[singaporeblade]

He was simply one of our greats. RIP

Very sad news - another great has left us. RIP Len

 

[Groucho Blade]

I’ve just seen that he made 541 (2) appearances for us. Wow. What a legend. What a true Blade. RIP

 

[Blade.com]

Think Sheffield United, think Len Badger.
R.I.P LEN. Thanks for the memories.

 

[The Crab]

Before my time, but up there with Jimmy Hagan on my list of players I wish I'd seen. A Sheffield United icon.

You aren't remembered for the money you earn, or how many selfies in takeaways you have taken. You are remembered for the mark you leave, even on those who never saw you play.

Rest in peace Len.

 

[ancientblade]

heartbroken R.I.P. len

 

[west_yorks_blade]

RIP Len. You are and always will be a Blades legend.

 

[ancientblade]

just got up to this news tears literally running down my face as i post this best right back i have ever seen at the lane

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

So sad, a true legend and a top bloke.

 

[Aston max]

Proper player , proper gentleman and my absolute favourite player, a sad loss for his family and the United family
If ever a young player ever needed to learn how to act as a professional footballer guys like len are the role models

 

[MoscowBlade]

RIP Len Badger - 1945-2021

Sheffield United is devastated to report the passing today of one of its greatest sons, former captain, Len Badger, following complications from a surgical procedure.

www.sufc.co.uk

Terrible and very sad news at the end of a season to forget.
Hodgkinson, Badger...........the first two names on the teamsheet from my early days of supporting The Blades........and now both sadly departed.
RIP Len and thank you for the memories. My condolences to your family and friends........you will never be forgotten.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

RIP Len Badger you graceful, skillful, classiest of right backs and the only possessor (and master) I ever saw of the sliding tackle where you slid in, got the ball, stood up and launched an attack, not once, but regularly.

 

[Speedracer]

Oh no, this is terrible news. I was fortunate enough to see the great '71 team regularly, & he was one of it's stars. I never met him, but by all accounts he was a lovely bloke too, RIP Badge, a proper legend.

 

[Petrovka Blade]

Len was a real star.
He played with a combination of skill, confidence and a special ‘Sheffield toughness’.
His sliding tackles on a wet pitch were perfect - he played the ball not the man, but the opponent sure knew he had been tackled.
I was never a good footballer, but like lots of 10 year olds at that time, I wanted to be like Len Badger.
A sad day today. Thanks Len

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Deeply saddened after waking up to this news. Like many on here my own Blades journey began standing on the Shoreham watching the classic team of the seventies. To me Len was always everything a Blade was supposed to be. RIP.

 

[Argentinemanager]

RIP Len , a true stalwart of our club, so sad to hear of his passing. The player i wanted to be when i first started watching as it was my position. The goal from near the half way line against ipswich i think , magical

 

[Rawnblade]

Fabulous player, and a boyhood hero. So skilful, great tackler and great distribution, down the line to Woody, defence to attack in moments. He was part of our Brave New World, along with others such as Woody, Mick Jones, Alan Birchenall, Bernard Shaw, who took over from the old guard. A regular in the England U23's, how he never got the full cap he deserved I'll never know.

RIP Len, a Blades legend...