Len Armitage

Leonard Armitage (20 October 1899 – 24 June 1972) was an English footballer who could play both in defence and attack. He made 284 league appearances in a 15-year career in the Football League.

In 1914, he signed with Sheffield Wednesday. He moved on to Leeds United in August 1920, before joining Wigan Borough in 1923, where he scored a remarkable 21 goals in 23 games. The following year he signed with Stoke City and remained with the club for seven seasons, helping the "Potters" to the Third Division North title in 1926–27. He had a brief spell with Rhyl Athletic before ending his career in 1934 following two years with Port Vale.

Career Armitage played for Sheffield Forge & Rolling Mills, Walkley Amateurs and Wadsley Bridge before joining Sheffield Wednesday as an amateur in October 1914 after winning English Schools Shield with Sheffield. He went on to sign professional forms with the club in August 1919 after serving as a soldier during World War I. Stoke dropped to 11th in 1929–30, with Armitage playing 31 games. He featured 27 times in 1930–31, as City again finished 11th. He played four games in 1931–32, before losing his first-team place to Bill Robertson and leaving the Victoria Ground for a brief spell with Rhyl Athletic. He started with a first-team spot but soon lost it to the more youthful Jack Round, as Armitage struggled with a knee injury. His brother, also named Tom, died on New Year's Eve 1923 after being hit in the kidneys whilst playing for Sheffield Wednesday.

Career statistics

Honours Stoke City Football League Third Division North: 1926–27