Where the story of Cambridge United comes alive
100 YEARS OF COCONUTS
  • Home
  • History
    • Early days
    • The war years
    • Post-war era
    • The Abbey Stadium story
  • Memories
    • Coconuts TV
    • Radio Coconuts
    • Stories >
      • Abbey & East Barnwell people
      • Teddy Bowd/Vic Phillips
      • Randall Butt
      • Bill Cawdery
      • Len Pettit
      • Coconuts volunteers
      • John & Diane Cole
      • Roger & Sue Flack
      • Tom Gurney
      • John & Keith Hallam
      • Neil Hudson
      • Robin Mansfield
      • Percy Neal
      • Nick Pettitt/Tom Taylor
      • Colin Proctor
      • Matt Ramsay
      • Gary Stroud
    • Matches
    • Match reports
    • Legendary moments
    • People >
      • Teddy Bowd
      • Ed Chapman
      • Wilf Mannion
      • Roy McFarland
      • Reg Smart
      • Wes Maughan
  • Collection
    • GALLERY
    • Cambridge News Sports Papers >
      • Cambridge Sports Papers Pre 1964
      • Cambridge Sports Papers 1964/65
      • Cambridge Sports Papers 1965/66
      • Cambridge Sports Papers Post 1967
    • 1960's Scrapbooks
    • John Docherty Years
    • Data >
      • Abbey United 1913-1920
  • Coconuts/CFU
    • Happy Harry's Shop
    • The Story of the U's
    • Contact us
    • CFU
  • News

Peter Leggett, 1943-2016

11/11/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Coconuts was saddened to hear of the death on November 2, at the age of 72, of Peter Leggett, who starred for the U’s before and at the start of the club’s Football League adventure.

Peter was a hugely talented but mercurial winger who, with his flowing locks, was sometimes compared to the Beatles and in his Southern League days was nicknamed the George Best of non-League. Between 1969 and 1971 he played 69 times for United and scored seven goals. The number of goals he created is probably incalculable.

He is recalled fondly by supporters of both United and Chelmsford City, both of whom he helped to Southern League titles, and it is accepted that he could have played at a much higher level.

Peter was born in Newton-le-Willows on 16 December 1943 and started his career at Weymouth. Swindon paid £1,000 for him in 1962 and he started 15 League games for the Robins before transferring to Brighton in 1965.  He made only three League appearances for the Seagulls before joining Chelmsford.

He was an integral part of the Essex side’s team as they won the Southern League championship in 1967/68. The following season, United manager Bill Leivers devastated the champions by signing four of their players: Tony Butcher, Bill Cassidy, Terry Eades and, in March 1969, Peter, for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut, on the right wing, in a 3-1 loss at Hillingdon on March 1. He played just once more in the Southern League that season, but United won the title and he was retained for the following term.

In September Leivers placed Leggett, Cassidy and John Saunders on the transfer list with a warning that they should buck their ideas up. Cassidy quickly re-established himself but Peter was in and out of the team, and in December he left for Lincoln City on a month’s trial. Lincoln wanted to keep him for a second month, but he preferred to return to the Abbey to fight for his place.

He returned to first-team action in February with a tremendous display in a Floodlit League match against King’s Lynn, tormenting the visitors’ defence and creating four goals in a 5-1 win. The following month he was outstanding in a 2-0 defeat of Chelmsford at the Abbey, tearing the opposing defence apart at his teasing, tormenting best. His performance was summed up by the first goal in which he nutmegged his full back by the corner flag, sped along the byline and pulled it back for George Harris, who struck the bar for Malcolm Lindsay to net with a diving header.

Leivers was moved to comment: ‘It was hard to reason why he was not playing for a First Division side. This boy has everything – pace, ball skill and an eye for the opening, but most of all in the last year he has become disciplined, with a wholly professional outlook.’

Leggett missed the last five games of the season with injury, but he had played his part as United became Southern League champions for the second time and were elected to the Football League.

United’s first League win, a 3-1 defeat of Oldham, was inspired by Peter’s twinkling toes; on 49 he jinked past three defenders as if they were not there and rolled the ball past the keeper to put his side level, and five minutes later he won a 30-yard dash for the ball and crossed for Harris to score with a diving header. Cassidy then made it 3-1 from another Leggett assist.

Gifted but still sometimes frustrating, Peter lost his place to Roly Horrey in November and was transfer-listed at his own request. No offers were received. He was also hit by a recurring muscle injury, and after United finished the season in an underwhelming 20th place, he was one of six players declared surplus to requirements. Talks with Cambridge City broke down when he suffered a recurrence of a groin injury, and his professional career was over.

In 2013 Leivers revealed that, after one game in which Peter had run his full back ragged, he told the player that, if he continued to play like that, he could command a transfer fee of £50,000. ‘Don’t talk daft,’ replied the winger.
​
Peter later worked as a manager for the Britvic soft drinks company in Chelmsford, the city where he remained for the rest of his life. He left a widow, Margaret, and three children.
Picture
Peter Leggett: perhaps he didn't realise just how good he was and how far he could go.
Picture
Comments

    Happy Harry's blog

    I'm the living embodiment of the spirit of the U's, and I'll be blogging whenever I've got news for you, as long as I don't miss my tea. 

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All
    100 Years Of Coconuts
    1966 World Cup
    1967/68
    1968/69
    1969/70
    1970/71
    1970s
    1971/72
    1972/73
    1977/78
    1998/99
    Abbey
    Abbey Lounge
    Abbey Meadows Primary School
    Abbey People
    Abbey Stadium
    Abbey United
    Alan Biley
    Alan Comfort
    Alan Guild
    Alan Moore
    Alan O'Neill
    Albert 'Twitter' Dring
    Allan Harris
    Allotments End
    Alva Anderson
    Amber News
    Andrew Bennett
    Andrew Stephen
    Andy Beattie
    Anglo-Italian Cup
    Apprentice
    Arsenal
    Arthur Morgan
    Autographs
    Barnwell
    Barnwell At War
    Barnwell & Fen Ditton Local History Society
    Barnwell Military Hospital
    Bernard Moore
    Bert Johnson
    Big Lunch
    Bill Cassidy
    Bill Cawdery
    Bill Leivers
    Bill Whittaker
    Billy Day
    Billy Liddell
    Billy Wall
    Billy Welsh
    Bob Bishop
    Bobby Langton
    Bobby Moore
    Bolton
    Book
    Brendon Batson
    Brian Clough
    Brian Doyle
    Brian Grant
    Brian Greenhalgh
    Brian Hart
    Brian Holmes
    Brian Moore
    Brian Whitmore
    Brighton & Hove Albion
    Bruce Rioch
    Bud Houghton
    Bury
    Bury Town
    Cambridge Brickmaking
    Cambridge City
    Cambridge Fans United
    Cambridge Football
    Cambridge Independent
    Cambridge News
    Cambridgeshire Collection
    Cambridgeshire FA
    Cambridgeshire Professional Cup
    Cambridge Sports Tours
    Cambridge Town
    Cambridge United
    Cambridge United 1968/69
    Cambridge United 1969/70
    Cambridge United 1979
    Cambridge United Community Trust
    Cambridge United Former Players' Association
    Cambridge United Hall Of Fame
    Cambridge United Supporters' Club
    Cambridge United Youth
    Cambridge University
    Cambridge University Association Football Club
    Camtax
    Carlo Corazzin
    Catons Lane
    Celery & Coconuts
    CFU
    Champagne & Corona
    Charlton Athletic
    Chelmsford City
    Chelsea
    Chesham United
    Christmas
    Chris Turner
    Cobh Ramblers
    Coconuts
    Coconuts Events
    Coconuts TV
    Coconuts Volunteers
    Coldhams Common
    Colin Harper
    Colin Meldrum
    Colin Proctor
    Community
    Conrad Lodziak
    Cork City
    Corona End
    Corona Soft Drinks
    Cremation
    Crystal Palace
    CUFPA
    Cystal Palece
    Dan Chillingworth
    Dan Gleeson
    Danny Blanchflower
    Danny O'Shea
    Danny Potter
    Dave Doggett
    Dave Kitson
    Dave Matthew Jones
    Dave Matthew-Jones
    Dave Stringer
    David Crown
    David Forde
    David Lill
    Dean Barrick
    Demba Traoré
    Dennis Walker
    Derby County
    Derek Finch
    Derek Hales
    Derek Haylock
    Derrick Christie
    Dimitar Mitov
    Dion Dublin
    Ditton Walk
    Dudley Arliss
    East Anglian League
    Eastern Counties League
    Eddie Robinson
    England
    FA Cup
    Fen Ditton
    Fenner's
    Fergus O'Donoghue
    Fields In Trust
    First Great Eastern Hospital
    Floyd Streete
    Football League
    Football League Review
    Forever United
    Former Players
    Former Players' Association
    Fred Mansfield
    Gainsborough Trinity
    Gareth Ainsworth
    Gary Clayton
    Gary Deegan
    Gary Harwood
    Gary Johnson
    Gearóid Morrissey
    Geoff Hudson
    George Alsop
    George Best
    George Harris
    George Reilly
    Gerry Baker
    Gordon Sweetzer
    Graham Atkinson
    Graham Daniels
    Graham Felton
    Graham Smith
    Graham Ward
    Graham Watson
    Grange Road
    Great Shelford
    Great Yarmouth Town
    Greg Reid
    Habbin Stand
    Hall Of Fame
    Harry Bullen
    Hartlepool
    Harvey Cornwell
    Henry Clement Francis
    Heritage Lottery Fund
    Ian Ashbee
    Ian Atkins
    Ian Darler
    Ian Hutchinson
    Inter City Trickle
    Ipswich Town
    I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts
    Ivett & Reed
    Jack Bannister
    Jack Bishop
    Jackie Milburn
    Jackie Scurr
    Jack Mansell
    Jack Morgan
    Jack Thomas
    Jack Woolley
    Jamie Barnwell
    Jamie Murray
    Jenny Morgan
    Jez George
    Jim Ayers
    Jimmy Quinn
    Jimmy Thompson
    Jim Sharkey
    Jim White
    Jody Craddock
    Joe Gallego
    John Beck
    John Docherty
    John Little
    John McGlashan
    John McKinven
    Johnny Hancocks
    John Ryan
    John Saunders
    John Taylor
    Jonas Axeldal
    Jon Challinor
    Jules Rimet Trophy
    Keith Lindsey
    Ken Shellito
    Kettering Town
    Kevin Austin
    Kevin Barry
    Kevin Tully
    King's Lynn
    Kit Carson
    Kits
    Len Crowe
    Len Saward
    Leon Legge
    Les Holloway
    Leyton Orient
    Liam Hughes
    Liam O'Neil
    Light Blues
    Lil Harrison
    Lindsay Smith
    Lionel Perez
    Local Derby
    Lovely Bunch
    Luke Chadwick
    Malcolm Lindsay
    Malcolm Webster
    Manchester United
    Marcus Gynn
    Mark Albrighton
    Mark Cooper
    Mark Sale
    Martin Butler
    Martin Ling
    Marvin The Moose
    Mel Slack
    Michael Kyd
    Mick Leach
    Middlesbrough
    Mike Flanagan
    Mike Petty
    Mini Museum
    Mini-museum
    Mitchell Springett
    Multiple Sclerosis
    Museum Of Cambridge
    My Favourite Match
    National Football Museum
    National Playing Fields Association
    Neil Rioch
    Newmarket Road Roughs
    Nicknames
    Nick Pope
    Northampton Town
    Obituary
    Ömer Riza
    Own Goal
    Oxford United
    Paddy Harris
    Pat Kruse
    Pat Quartermain
    Pat Saward
    Paul Barry
    Paul Daw
    Paul Jeffrey
    Paul Raynor
    Paul Wanless
    Percy Anderson
    Peter Bowstead
    Peter Dobson
    Peter Graham
    Peter Hobbs
    Peter Leggett
    Peter Phillips
    Peter Reeve
    Peter Ward
    PFA Bobby Moore Fair Play Trophy
    Phil Baker
    Phil Chapple
    Phil Hayes
    Pools
    Pop Up Displays
    Pop-up Displays
    Povel Ramel
    Programme
    Progressive Coaches
    Pye
    Q&A
    Randall Butt
    Ray Freeman
    Ray Proctor
    Reg Smart
    Remembering Fifty Years Ago
    Remembering Thirty Years Ago
    Richard Money
    Risen From The Dust
    Robbie Cooke
    Robbie Simpson
    Robin Hardy
    Robin Mansfield
    Rodney Slack
    Roger Gibbins
    Roger Waters
    Roly Horrey
    Ron Atkinson
    Rotherham United
    Roy Kirk
    Roy McFarland
    Russell Crane
    Saffron Walden Town
    Sam McCrory
    San Diego Toros
    Seniors World Cup
    Seven Stars
    Shane Tudor
    Sheffield Wednesday
    Shirts
    Sid High
    Simon Dobbin
    Simon Lankester
    SK Brann
    Social History
    Soham Town Rangers
    Southern League
    Southern League Cup
    Sporting Memories
    Stackridge
    Stan Cullis
    Stan Cutter
    Steve Butler
    Steve Claridge
    Steve Fallon
    Steve Palmer
    Steve Slade
    Steve Spriggs
    Stockport County
    Strips
    Stuart-wood
    Subbuteo
    Supporters
    Teddy Bowd
    Terry Eades
    Terry Venables
    Tes Bramble
    Testimonial Match
    The Blizzard
    The Globe
    The John Docherty Years
    #thepastwillsoonbepresent
    The Story Of The U's
    Tickle Sanderson
    Tom Finney
    Tom Hussey
    Tommy Horsfall
    Tommy Taylor
    Tom Youngs
    Tony Butcher
    Tony Gallego
    Tony Scully
    Tony Willson
    Torquay United
    Trevor Benjamin
    Trevor Brooking
    Trevor Roberts
    United Counties League
    Vertical Editions
    Veterans' Football
    Vic Akers
    Vic Phillips
    Waterbeach
    Wayne Hatswell
    West Bromwich Albion
    West Ham United
    What Dreams Are (Not Quite) Made Of
    What's On In Cambridge
    Wilf Mannion
    Willie Watson
    Windy Miller
    Wolverhampton Wanderers
    World War I
    World War II
    Wycombe Wanderers
    Yeovil Town
    Youth
    Zema Abbey

    RSS Feed

UNITED IN ENDEAVOUR