Len Duquemin

Len Stanley Duquemin (born July 17, 1924, died April 20, 2003) was a professional footballer most famous for playing for Tottenham Hotspur which he made his debut on March 1946. [ [http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/onthisday270707.html Len Duquemin Debut THFC Official website - retrieved March 20 2008] ]

Born in Cobo, Guernsey Duquemin was the first famous footballer to come from the Channel Islands. During the German Occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II, it is said that Duquemin hid in a Catholic monastery.

Between 1946 and 1957 he made 307 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur and scored 134 goals. [ [http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/history/history_azofplayers.html Len Duquemin stats on THFC site- retrieved March 20 2008] ] He won the League Championship in 1951 having won the Second Division title the year before. Known as 'Reliable Len' for his hard work rather than for being a stylish player. His value was seen in his ability to create space for some of his more renowned team-mates, and he became a key member of Arthur Rowe's famous 'push and run' side which transformed the style of football played in the Post War period. He played alongside Alf Ramsey and Bill Nicholson

Duquemin made his last league appearance for Tottenham in the 1956-57 season. He played just one match, though it brought him the last of his goals for the club. He subsequently spent four seasons in non-league football, first with Bedford Town F.C., with whom he won a Southern League Championship medal in the 1958-59 season, then with Hastings United and Romford. He left the game in 1962.

After his retirement he ran a newsagent's shop close to White Hart Lane in Northumberland Park and later became the landlord at the "Haunch of Venison" public house in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20030423/ai_n12687484 Len Duquemin - Obituary - Bnet - retrieved March 20 2008] ]

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