Very sad. I was privileged to meet him on a couple of occasions, one when Garry Nelson was promoting Left Foot In The Grave and Les turned up with his FA Cup medals.
Thank you Choice, for the interview with Les Fell, a grand old fella who said it as he remembered it.
And at least we've got something tangible to remember him by.
Sad news for his family, and all who knew him personally.
Thanks Choice, I enjoyed your interview with him and like you I met him a few times at Rogers House.
Despite his age and lack of sight he still loved his football and showed me his cup medal once when I had a meeting there (I used to work for Abbeyfield) - he still had a passion for the game and always asked 'how the boys were playing'.
Rest assured he was well looked after in his final years.
Les Fell was my Grandpa and I just wanted to thank you all for your kind words.
He always spoke about his footballing times extremely fondly and very much enjoyed the interest that others showed in hearing his stories including, of course, his FA cup final for Charlton in 1946 (along with the exploding football and the dog running on the pitch!)
Thank you especially to those of you who took time to learn about his career and to visit him to hear these stories firsthand - he always appreciated these visits and the recorded footage is very precious to us. This thread too would have meant a lot to him, so thank you very much.
Found this interview on a Margate website which may be of interest
What is your full name and date and place of birth ?
Leslie James Fell - 16th December 1920 - Leytonstone, London.
What was your occupation during your time with Margate ?
In the 1930's I ran the office of a Heating Engineering firm called Hewson & Brook in Cliftonville. In the 1950's I was a Layout Draughtsman for Swifts, based at Rochester Airport.
How did you come to join Margate ?
My initial spell with the club began after Margate manager Jack Lambert wrote to my father in the 1930's, asking me to go along to training. Then in the summer of 1954 Almer Hall wrote to me after he'd heard I was going to be released by Crystal Palace.
What do you remember about your Margate debut ?
Nothing in particular but I can vividly recall breaking my collar bone in a game against Erith - one of my first matches for Margate.
What were the highlights of your entire career ?
The 1946 FA Cup semi-final - Charlton beat Bolton 2-0 at Villa Park in front of a crowd of 69,500 and I set up the first goal. The 1946 FA Cup Final was also obviously a highlight but the fact that Charlton lost (4-1 to Derby after extra time - attendance at Wembley 98,215) made the semi final more memorable. Another early highlight was playing for Kent Schoolboys at Sunderland's Roker Park.
Which player did you most enjoy playing with during your whole career ?
Riley Cullum, an inside right at Charlton. I played many games with him, mainly in Charlton's reserves, and we had a really good understanding.
Who was the best player you played against during your whole career ?
Sir Stanley Matthews - I once saw him 'dummy' two Charlton defenders so well that both of them ended up running off the pitch whilst Stan went off in the other direction !
What was the best stadium you played in during your entire career ?
Benfica's stadium in Portugal - it was carved out of the side of a hill and looked very impressive. The flight out there took five hours and I was air sick all the way !
Who was the best manager you played under (and at which club) ?
Jimmy Seed at Charlton.
Who was the biggest influence on your football career ?
Probably Billy Graham who was my Maths and PE teacher at Margate Boys Central School and also chairman of Margate FC.
What was the favourite / best goal of your career ?
In a game for Charlton Reserves against Arsenal Reserves at Highbury - I cut inside and hit a shot from outside the penalty area. Dennis Compton, who played for England at cricket and football, was playing on the left wing for Arsenal and as I returned to my place on the right wing for the restart he said to me "that was a good 'un" !
Did you have a nickname during your career ?
I was sometimes called "Lightning Les" or "The Pimpernel".
What honours did you win during your career ?
FA Cup runners-up medal 1946 and various London league titles with Charlton Reserves.
Do you have any regrets about your football career ?
Probably dropping out of the first team at Charlton after World War II.
[cite]Posted By: SarahWub[/cite]Les Fell was my Grandpa and I just wanted to thank you all for your kind words.
He always spoke about his footballing times extremely fondly and very much enjoyed the interest that others showed in hearing his stories including, of course, his FA cup final for Charlton in 1946 (along with the exploding football and the dog running on the pitch!)
Thank you especially to those of you who took time to learn about his career and to visit him to hear these stories firsthand - he always appreciated these visits and the recorded footage is very precious to us. This thread too would have meant a lot to him, so thank you very much.
Hi Sarah
I was very saddened to hear the news yesterday having met Les. Iv got Lynns address now so will be forwarding her a couple of copies of the interview on DVD
Comments
RIP.
He was a very pleasant man to talk to.
RIP
RIP
And at least we've got something tangible to remember him by.
Sad news for his family, and all who knew him personally.
Despite his age and lack of sight he still loved his football and showed me his cup medal once when I had a meeting there (I used to work for Abbeyfield) - he still had a passion for the game and always asked 'how the boys were playing'.
Rest assured he was well looked after in his final years.
RIP Les, a true gent.
Les Fell at Rogers House
Charlton Legend Medal Winner
He always spoke about his footballing times extremely fondly and very much enjoyed the interest that others showed in hearing his stories including, of course, his FA cup final for Charlton in 1946 (along with the exploding football and the dog running on the pitch!)
Thank you especially to those of you who took time to learn about his career and to visit him to hear these stories firsthand - he always appreciated these visits and the recorded footage is very precious to us. This thread too would have meant a lot to him, so thank you very much.
RIP Les
What is your full name and date and place of birth ?
Leslie James Fell - 16th December 1920 - Leytonstone, London.
What was your occupation during your time with Margate ?
In the 1930's I ran the office of a Heating Engineering firm called Hewson & Brook in Cliftonville. In the 1950's I was a Layout Draughtsman for Swifts, based at Rochester Airport.
How did you come to join Margate ?
My initial spell with the club began after Margate manager Jack Lambert wrote to my father in the 1930's, asking me to go along to training. Then in the summer of 1954 Almer Hall wrote to me after he'd heard I was going to be released by Crystal Palace.
What do you remember about your Margate debut ?
Nothing in particular but I can vividly recall breaking my collar bone in a game against Erith - one of my first matches for Margate.
What were the highlights of your entire career ?
The 1946 FA Cup semi-final - Charlton beat Bolton 2-0 at Villa Park in front of a crowd of 69,500 and I set up the first goal. The 1946 FA Cup Final was also obviously a highlight but the fact that Charlton lost (4-1 to Derby after extra time - attendance at Wembley 98,215) made the semi final more memorable. Another early highlight was playing for Kent Schoolboys at Sunderland's Roker Park.
Which player did you most enjoy playing with during your whole career ?
Riley Cullum, an inside right at Charlton. I played many games with him, mainly in Charlton's reserves, and we had a really good understanding.
Who was the best player you played against during your whole career ?
Sir Stanley Matthews - I once saw him 'dummy' two Charlton defenders so well that both of them ended up running off the pitch whilst Stan went off in the other direction !
What was the best stadium you played in during your entire career ?
Benfica's stadium in Portugal - it was carved out of the side of a hill and looked very impressive. The flight out there took five hours and I was air sick all the way !
Who was the best manager you played under (and at which club) ?
Jimmy Seed at Charlton.
Who was the biggest influence on your football career ?
Probably Billy Graham who was my Maths and PE teacher at Margate Boys Central School and also chairman of Margate FC.
What was the favourite / best goal of your career ?
In a game for Charlton Reserves against Arsenal Reserves at Highbury - I cut inside and hit a shot from outside the penalty area. Dennis Compton, who played for England at cricket and football, was playing on the left wing for Arsenal and as I returned to my place on the right wing for the restart he said to me "that was a good 'un" !
Did you have a nickname during your career ?
I was sometimes called "Lightning Les" or "The Pimpernel".
What honours did you win during your career ?
FA Cup runners-up medal 1946 and various London league titles with Charlton Reserves.
Do you have any regrets about your football career ?
Probably dropping out of the first team at Charlton after World War II.
Hi Sarah
I was very saddened to hear the news yesterday having met Les. Iv got Lynns address now so will be forwarding her a couple of copies of the interview on DVD
Regards
Phil
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit - he was so full of it afterwards!
Another Charlton legend gone, but not forgotten.
Our thoughts are with family and friends.
Mr Fell
he definitly deserves a minutes applause v brighton on saturday
i doubt cafc will ever have a team in a meaningful cup final again
god bless and my condolences to your family
A rare species of being a Charlton Cup Final player , respect to Les