Crystal Palace are sad to announce the passing of their iconic defender that has really made impart during his play time at the club.
Len, who was born in 1932, joined Palace as an apprentice and played amateur football for Sutton United while training with the team and supporting the first team, which included cleaning his idols’ boots.
He served in the army’s national service programme before signing a full-time contract with Palace in 1951. Two years later, in April 1953, he made his Football League debut against Ipswich Town.
One of the top defenders in Division Three South, Len was a skillful and reliable player who could play a variety of positions for the team, including centre forward in October 1953 when he scored a goal.
Over the course of more than ten years, he would make 280 appearances for the team and score three goals. He played a significant role in the 1960–61 promotion-winning team.
The club gave Len two testimonies and he was picked for an F.A. XI to play Oxford University.
Owing to his tall and thin stature, Selhurst Park supporters dubbed him “The Thin Man” or “Skinny Choules” with affection on the terraces, where they grew accustomed to seeing his name on the teamsheet each week.
He played non-league football for Romford after leaving Palace in 1962 and retired.
Everyone at the club is incredibly grieved by Len’s passing and is currently thinking about his family.
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