Leon gets a Legge up – in goal!

By Hugo Varley

SLIDING IN: Bootle’s Leon Legge in more familiar pose, in action here for Port Vale

PICTURE: Alamy

FOOTBALL League stalwart Leon Legge had a Bank Holiday to remember – after being forced to play in goal for new club Bootle.

The 38-year-old was called upon to deputise between the sticks only 15 minutes into his side’s Merseyside derby clash with Prescot Cables – and he performed heroics, keeping a clean sheet, as the ten-man Bucks held on for a goalless draw.

Legge was thrown the gloves after regular goalkkeeper Owen Mooney was sent off for handling the ball outside the area.

“It’s something you see happen on TV, but never expect to happen to you. I want my clean sheet bonus now,” Legge laughed.

“The gaffer asked who wanted to go in goal and not many people put their hand up. I did a bit of goalkeeper training when I was ten or 11, so thought I would try to roll back the years.

“The set-pieces were a bit of a nightmare. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when trying to set up a wall! I was jogging on the spot when that first freekick came in, not really having a clue what I’d do if the ball beat the wall.

“Getting my hand on the first shot really helped me, though. It stung a bit for sure, but gave me the confidence I needed. When these things happen, you need to react with a positive mentality. It’s all you can do.”

A gritty defensive display, perhaps spearheaded by a touch of luck, saw Bootle grind out a goalless draw against their local rivals, and Legge says the final whistle brought mixed emotions. “It was a weird one in truth because I was actually pretty gutted that we didn’t win the game,” he added.

“I felt even with ten men we were the better side in the final stages. Believe it or not, I really didn’t want the match to end.

“The Prescot fans were standing behind me for most of the game. I can definitely see why they say being a goalkeeper is a lonely job. Having to stand there and listen to everything being shouted at you certainly takes a bit of adapting to, but I found it all pretty entertaining. You have to embrace these things.”

Legge enjoyed an impressive Football League career, representing the likes of Brentford, Gillingham, Cambridge and Vale.

A ‘freak injury’ while playing against Stevenage spelt the end of his career at Vale Park, prompting Legge to join Harrogate Town in January 2022 but he made only eight first-team appearances for Simon Weaver’s men.

On leaving Harrogate, Legge took a 12-month break from the game, but an approach from Bootle boss Dave McNabb in July tempted Legge back into action. Now, in his twlight years, he is understandably determined to prioritise to enjoy his football once again.

“In a way, crazy things like what happened on Monday are the reason I came back,” Legge continued.

“I wanted to properly embrace the beauty and chaos of football – and that certainly happened last week.”