Dick Leafe

Alfred Richard Leafe (1891 – 9 May 1964) was a professional footballer who played in various forward positions in the Football League for Grimsby Town, Sheffield United and West Ham United. He also played for Boston Town. After retirement, he worked as assistant secretary at West Ham.

Career Leafe started his football career with Boston Town alongside his brother, Tom. He signed as an amateur for Football League Second Division club Grimsby Town in May 1909. He made a single appearance for the Lincolnshire club in 1909–10 and returned to Boston.

November 1910 saw Leafe sign for Sheffield United, where he scored 15 goals in his 28 First Division appearances during the 1911–12 season.

In 1913, Leafe made the move to West Ham United, then of the Southern League First Division. Manager Syd King brought in Leafe to replace Danny Shea, who had just been sold to Blackburn Rovers for £2,000 (at that point a British record).

With Leafe moving to inside-left in order to accommodate centre-forward Syd Puddefoot, a partnership developed and in 1914–15, Puddefoot's 18 goals and Leafe's 13 contributed to a fourth-place finish and election to the Football League. This was despite both players being moved (Leafe to outside-right) to accommodate Arthur Stallard for the final two months of the season.

Leafe made five appearances in the London Combination after the outbreak of the First World War.