Len Badger

[bladesadviser]

My first game was his testimonial. RIP

My first game was also his testimonial 1-1 against Wednesday? On John street behind the white railings

 

[Kevin Arnott]

He's a Blade and He's a Blade. A player / character to be truly proud of.

 

[Lettuce]

A true gentleman, an absolute pleasure to to have known him and spent many an hour over a few beers with him.
God bless you Len.

 

[Whipitin]

RIP Len, echo what everyone else says, a true Blades legend and a big part of my growing up a Blade.

 

[Kevin Arnott]

One for Silent. My cousin took me to a game at Bramall Lane in the early-ish seventies. Gets a bit hazy, was either Birmingham or Blackburn I think we won 3_2 but can remember Badge setting off on a run towards Bramall Lane and smashing one in from a distance.

 

[Bell4]

I'm in tears! What a player and a Blades legend.

The TC of the back 4.

RIP Len and thank you so much for the memories.

Exactly the same

gutted

my first season was the 1970 Promotion season and anyone who started their Utd journey watching that team in that era will never ever know how blessed we were

Len was just cemented in all our hearts as part of that wonderful time

RIO Mr Badger - and thank you

 

[Radders]

Probably my favourite player of the 60s and 70s.
RIP Len.

 

[DronnieBlade]

RIP Len.

UTB

 

[Grecian2000]

Heartbroken today.

The sight of the Holy Trinity attacking down the right was a sight to behold. Len, Woody and TC were genuine boyhood heroes for some of us at a certain age.
RIP great man!

 

[Monks' double]

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.

Exactly this. Two other skills that used to amaze the schoolkid version of me were his ability to curl a pass down the wing to Alan Woodward, where it looked as if the ball might conceivably go out, but in fact swung around the defender; the other was the pass hit over the head of the defenders for Woodward to run on to. The ball was hit with backspin and instead of going out for a goalkick, as the defenders thought, it would hold up, like a golf shot on the green, leaving Woodie to collect it and cross. It used to make me laugh with pleasure.

I think I've got something in my eye .....

 

[Muttley]

R.I.P Badge. Top player......and landlord!

 

[Wetwang blade]

Gutted to learn of Len's passing. Another of my blades hero's taken, best number 2 never to play for England. R.I.P.

 

[ChezVegasBlade]

RIP legendary blade

 

[Booker4]

Sad news, 75 not old these days. Before my time sadly, but a Blades legend and part of the golden era for United und John Harris. Thoughts and prayers with his family. God bless you Len.

 

[benn5712]

Hero of mine, a footballing full back. Yardstick even. Defend first but play the ball out, no hoof with this man.
I had a letter in the Green 'un Tell it to Tony column. Praise for Badger.
Just after his testimonial, me and my mate were collecting autographs on John st and pounced on him. All his gifts etc went flying - twats, the pair of us - including a couple of tickets for next home game. Badge gave them us.
Saw him at Chesterfield in the friendly couple of back nearly. "Proper full back, 'im" told my son.
RIP Len. Wish I still had them tickets.

 

[Bill puntin]

Awful news .

One of my all time favourite Blades players and the best slide tackler I ever saw , as well as being a thoroughly nice bloke on the several occasions I met him .
Yes that’s how I remember len with beautifully timed slide tackles and coming away with the ball under control. RIP
Condolences to his family and close friends .

 

[Devils bump]

Too young to see Len play, and after reading everyone's account of what a great player, captain and person he was, I wish I was older! RIP LEN and Sincere condolences to all the family x

 

[benn5712]

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

Re-living that goal now, over and over. Siling down and I'm stood next to the tunnel, John St terrace.

 

[Aycliffe Blade]

I watched him throughout his career. What a fantastic player!

 

[chipsncake]

Quality player.
Thanks for the memories Len.
RIP

 

[Gaini Blade]

If ever a game called for a full house it's the next one. It's a shame we can't all be there to pay our respects.

 

[Silent 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.

Coal Aston (Stonelow Fields upper), Dronfield Contact (Stonelow Fields lower) or Dronfield Woodhouse (Carr Lane)? Apperknowle and Hundall are the other two near Dronfield I can think of

 

[benn5712]

As a mark of utmost respect, could the no. 2 shirt be retired for the next season ?

 

[Scargill]

I’ll always remember that Goal he scored against Ipswich Town , which we won 7-1

 

[Silent Blade]

One for Silent. My cousin took me to a game at Bramall Lane in the early-ish seventies. Gets a bit hazy, was either Birmingham or Blackburn I think we won 3_2 but can remember Badge setting off on a run towards Bramall Lane and smashing one in from a distance.

4-0 win against Blackburn in Nov 1969? See from 3 mins 33 secs in below video

 

[BerksBlade]

Great player, and by all accounts, a thoroughly decent man as well.
As others have said (and like Woody) criminally overlooked by England.
RIP Len, and thanks for the memories.

 

[Nearly Jimmy Hagan]

Len Badger was in the side when I first went to the Lane in 1970, same as said by a few on here.
Great player in a great team.
RIP Len

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Best sliding tackler football has ever seen,those who saw him play will know what i mean.

God Bless Len.

 

[Silent Blade]

I’ll always remember that Goal he scored against Ipswich Town , which we won 7-1

7-0. Scored the 4th goal

 

[ancientblade]

john st the len badger stand ?