Clubs: Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Torquay United

Les Lievesley was signed by manager Tom Bromilow right at the end of the 1936/37 season and made his debut in the final match of that term when Palace gained a deserved if rare victory at Queens park Rangers.

Les was one of the best wing-halves ever to play for Palace. He was a powerful, dynamic fellow at all but 6ft and over 12 stone and his acquisition was unquestionably a key reason for a much-enhanced Palace showing in 1937/38, and the best performances for a full decade the following year.

He put in 53 consecutive appearances after joining the club and, with George Walker and Nick Collins, helped to form an outstanding half-back line that is still spoken of today. Sadly, Les' life was to end in tragedy. After training paratroopers and commandos during the Second World War, Les joined Turin of Italy, only to be killed with 29 other members of the club when the plane carrying them from a match against Benfica in Portugal crashed into a courtyard.

Statistics

	Games	Goals
1936/1937	1	0
1937/1938	47	1
1938/1939	34	2
Total	82	3

Source: The Men Who Made Crystal Palace, Rev Nigel Sands (Tempus 2004)