Len Wills

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Len Wills, full name Leonard Edward Wills, was an English footballer who played as a right back for Arsenal. He was born on 8 November 1927 in Hackney, London, and died in September 2010 in Essex at age 82.

Wills started with non-league Eton Manor before joining Arsenal in October 1949. He spent several seasons in Arsenal’s reserve team, usually at right half or right back. He made his first-team debut on 10 October 1953 after regular right back Joe Wade damaged his knee; Arsenal beat Tottenham 4–1. He stayed in the team that season and played 30 league games in 1953-54 and 24 in 1954-55. When Stan Charlton joined Arsenal in 1955, Wills lost his first-team place and spent a few seasons as a substitute, covering right back or left back as needed. After Charlton left in 1958, Wills returned to right back and was a regular for about three seasons. By 1961 his age caught up with him, and during 1961-62 youngsters Dave Bacuzzi and Eddie Magill shared the position, with Wills not playing. He left Arsenal at the end of that season on a free transfer and joined Romford.

In total for Arsenal he played 195 league games and scored four goals, and 208 games in all competitions. He did not win major trophies with Arsenal, but he did play in the 1953 FA Charity Shield victory over Blackpool. After retiring from football, Wills worked in the DIY retail trade.