Les, who was aged 77, played with and against the best footballers of his era. He proudly represented Preston at football, cricket and table tennis, as well as being a fair golfer too. He will be sorely missed by friends and family alike. Our Association sends its condolences to the family.
R.I.P.
Les played Central League football for three months, alongside players such as Dennis Hatsell, Ken Waterhouse and Gordon Milne before his, somewhat of a shock, call-up for first team duties. Les Campbell had been called away for National Service duties which left the door open for Les Dagger. He turned full professional the day prior to his league debut, ironically against Sunderland (3rd November 1956), as they were also interested in signing young 'Daggsy'. Les had a blinder at outside-right as North End powered into a 5-0 half-time lead, eventually winning by 6-0. Les found himself playing alongside England internationals Tommy Thompson and Tom Finney and in front of Scottish internationals Tommy Docherty and Willie Cunningham. Les, the local boy, had made the big time.
In his first two seasons at Deepdale, the Club finished third and second in the top flight of English football. No mean achievement whatsoever. In fact, Les was only on the losing side four times in his first 31 games for the North End. As an out and out right-winger, Les had competition for that shirt from little Les Campbell and then Derek Mayers. In total, Les Dagger clocked up 72 appearances for Preston North End, scoring ten goals for the club, all from the wing. An excellent crosser of the ball, Les 'assisted' to numerous other goals, scored by the likes of Sir Tom and 'Topper' Thompson.
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