Len Cantello

Len Cantello (born 11 September 1951) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Career Cantello played for England Schoolboys against Scotland at Wembley in April 1967.

West Bromwich Albion: 1967–1979 Cantello joined West Bromwich Albion as an apprentice in 1967.

At the age of 18, Cantello played in the 1970 League Cup Final, but finished on the losing side. He helped Albion win promotion back to the First Division in 1976.

Cantello scored ITV's goal of the season in December 1978, playing against Manchester United at Old Trafford in a memorable 5–3 win for the visitors. Albion finished third in the league that season and also reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup.

During his 12-year stay at the Hawthorns, Cantello made 371 appearances. In 1978, he played with the Dallas Tornado.

Although signing for Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 1979 for a fee of £350,000, Cantello was awarded a testimonial match by West Bromwich Albion that saw a team of white players play against a team of black players.

Bolton Wanderers: 1979–1982 In 1979, he moved to Bolton Wanderers, spending three years with them.

Later career: 1982–1990 In 1982, Cantello moved two divisions down on loan to Hereford United. He made just one appearance and then moved again on loan to Bury. In 1981, he went on loan to the Dallas Tornado of the North American Soccer League. In 1983, he was transferred to Dutch side SC Cambuur, before finishing with two seasons at Eastern AA. In 1989 and 1990, he played in the Canadian Soccer League with Calgary Strikers and London Lasers with a spell as manager of Radcliffe Borough in between.

Post-playing career After retiring from professional sport, Cantello became the UK managing Director of FieldTurf, a Canadian-based brand of artificial turf playing surface. He currently resides in his home town of Manchester.