Len Badger

Badger was born in the Darnall area of Sheffield on 8 June 1945. He played school football for both Sheffield Boys and England Schoolboys. He progressed through the junior ranks at Sheffield United and signed his first professional contract in August 1962. ==Professional career==

Sheffield United Badger made his league debut for the Blades first team against Leyton Orient at Bramall Lane on 26 April 1963. By the end of the 1963–64 season he established himself as first choice at right-back, replacing club stalwart Cec Coldwell and remained a regular there until 1975. He was appointed captain in 1968 by manager John Harris. This made him the youngest league captain in United history, Chesterfield Badger left Bramall Lane soon after the arrival of new Blades manager Jimmy Sirrel, being sold to Chesterfield on 1 January 1976. He played for a further two seasons for the Spireites making 46 appearances before a series of knee injuries ended his career. ==International career==

Badger played seven times for England Youths, thirteen times for England U23s and for the Football League side. He faced competition for a place on the England team from George Cohen and Keith Newton. ==Later life==

After retiring from football, Badger became a publican in the Chesterfield area. Badger died on 20 May 2021. He was 75, and had undergone a complicated surgical procedure. ==Career statistics==