The club are very saddened to hear of the recent passing of Les Burgess who died aged 81 on Thursday 12th August after a short illness.
Les was the Chesham United team captain in the 1967-68 season which culminated in him leading the team out at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of just over 52,000 to play Leytonstone in the F.A. Amateur Cup Final on 20th April 1968.
Les joined Chesham United in August 1967 and played a massive role in the club`s success with both his inspirational leadership as captain and qualities as a player in guiding the team through 16 ties to reach the final. As the captain he was also perfectly suited to the role as spokesman for the team given the considerable amount of attention that the club attracted at the time with requests for interviews, from both the local and national media, as well as television.
Les signed from Wembley and made his debut for the club on 19 August 1967 on the opening day of the 1967-68 Athenian League season in a 1-1 draw against Harlow Town. During that season he made 63 appearances and scored 6 goals, none more important than the one he scored in the hard earned 1-0 victory against Soham United which ensured United qualified for the 1st Round proper of the competition. Les also played for Finchley and St. Albans City and had a second spell at The Meadow during the 1973-74 season.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife Margaret, son Tim, daughter Emma & respective families at this sad time.
