Former Huddersfield Town player passes away
- Ex-HTAFC player Bob Ledger dies aged 77
- Bob made 62 appearances for the Terriers
- Played in infamous 7-6 defeat at Charlton
Huddersfield Town is saddened to learn that former player Bob Ledger has died aged 77.
The County Durham-born winger twice helped knock West Ham United out of the FA Cup during a career which also took in spells at Oldham Athletic, Mansfield Town and Barrow.
He also scored in Town’s infamous 7-6 defeat at Charlton Athletic in December 1957.
That was the first of seven goals in 62 games for Town, who he signed for from Doncaster junior football (his family had moved to South Yorkshire) on his 17th birthday in 1954.
The bulk of them were in the original Second Division (now Championship) under Bill Shankly and alongside Denis Law.
But he made his debut at left-back in the 2-0 First Division defeat by Luton Town at Leeds Road in October 1955.
He played on both the left and right wings under Shankly, in charge for that 13-goal clash at The Valley.
Ledger’s appearances were more infrequent under Eddie Boot, who became manager when Shankly left for Liverpool.
But he did feature in the 5-1 FA Cup third-round replay win over West Ham at a frost bound Upton Park in January 1960.
Ledger was transferred to Oldham Athletic in a £6,000 deal in May 1962.
He made 222 appearances and scored 37 goals for the Latics, where he was played as a centre-forward, before joining Mansfield for £2,000 in December 1967.
His only full season with the Stags, 1968-69, featured a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
West Ham were beaten 3-0 at Field Mill in the fifth round before Mansfield lost 1-0 at home to eventual finalists Leicester City.
After 19 goals in 65 games, Ledger joined Barrow in October 1969.
He played non-league football for Lancaster City, Gateshead, Stockton Town and Richmond Town while working as a road builder and scaffolder.
Ledger, who was still playing the occasional game in his early 50s, died in a Doncaster residential home.
He is survived by his two sons, Nick and James.
The thoughts of everyone at Huddersfield Town are with Bob’s friends and family at this difficult time.
