LesHartridge

Former player

About Les

Inside Forward/CentreHalf.

Les was playing at the age of ten a game far beyond his years for the boys of Montem School and later for the Technical School and the District XI in the English Schools Shield matches.

From school to youth football when he captained the NABC international XI and finally to the "Rebels", where he has played most of his senior football and gained representative honours on two occasions for Berks & Bucks.

An outstanding midfielder, possessed of great passing ability and a powerful shot, who made his debut for Slough in October 1965 but who was prevented from playing for the club for the second half of that season after a protest against his registration by his former club, Rainbow FC was upheld.

He rejoined in summer 1966 and remained a first team regular for the next four seasons, becoming one of the most popular and consistent players ever to appear in a Rebels’ shirt.

He left the club for a brief spell at Wycombe Wanderers in summer 1970 and subsequently played for both Hayes, again under Bob Gibbs’ management, and Wokingham Town.

His brother, Jim Hartridge, also played for Slough.

Recognised generally as one of the finest schemers in the amateur game, it was absurd that Les is not an automatic choice for the County and a current member of the full international squad.

A heating engineer by profession Football, girlfriend and evenings training and at Slough College, Les has little time for much else; he nevertheless enjoys music, good films. good food and pints of lime and lemon after the game. Professional football? "No for me, thank you'" he answered.