Les Bruton had had trials with a couple of League clubs but was still playing local football when Southampton picked him up for £15. He was effectively waiting for either for inside-right Arthur Dominy to be injured or to break through at inside-left. Despite getting among the goals for the Reserves, he proved inadequate for first-team football –

“quite good, but needs to be quicker on the ball”

said the Echo of his debut – and could manage only seven games for the Saints in the best part of four seasons. Yet, following a spell at Southern League Peterborough, he spent a season in the Scottish First Division with Raith Rovers. And then this apparent late developer had four seasons in the Football League Division I, most successfully with Blackburn Rovers, if less so with Liverpool. Following a non-league stint with Leamington, he, at last, joined his home-town club – as assistant-trainer. After this, he became a motor mechanic.