Leslie Hector Ronald Bruton (1 April 1903 – 2 April 1989) was an English footballer who played at centre-forward in the 1920s and 1930s for various clubs, having his most successful period with Blackburn Rovers.

Football career

Bruton was born in Foleshill, Coventry and played for his local non-league side where he was spotted by a

scout Scout may refer to: Youth movement *Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement **Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom **Scouts BSA, sectio ...

from Southampton. He signed for the "Saints" for a fee of £15 in November 1922; after spending a season in the reserves, Bruton made his first-team debut on 6 October 1923, when he took the place of

Arthur Dominy Arthur Albert Dominy (11 February 1893 – 23 September 1974) was an English professional footballer, who played as an inside-forward, and football manager, spending most of his career with Southampton. Playing career Southampton He played his ...

at inside-left at home to Bristol City. He retained his place for five matches before Doniny's return. Failing to make much impression, Bruton had to wait a further two years before any further first-team action, but after two more games at the end of the 1925–26 season, he was released. Bruton then dropped into

non-league football Non-League football describes football leagues played outside the top leagues of a country. Usually, it describes leagues which are not fully professional. The term is primarily used for football in England, where it is specifically used to de ...

when he joined Peterborough & Fletton United of the Southern League in the summer of 1926. This was followed by a move to Scotland, when he joined Raith Rovers in November 1927. In May 1929, he returned to England with Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £10,000. In his first season at

Ewood Park Ewood Park () is a football stadium in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, and the home of Blackburn Rovers F.C., founding members of the Football League and Premier League, who have played there since 1890. It is an all seater multi-sports facili ...

, Bruton took over from Clarrie Bourton at centre-forward, making twelve league appearances, scoring five goals. In the following season, Bruton scored 18 goals from 24 league appearances, making him Rovers' second-best top-scorer, just behind his unrelated namesake

Jack Bruton John Bruton (21 November 1903 – 13 March 1986) was a professional footballer and manager who spent the major part of his career in both capacities with Blackburn Rovers F.C., Blackburn Rovers. Playing career Born in Westhoughton, near Bolto ...

on 19. Les Bruton also made an important contribution to Rovers' run in the FA Cup, scoring five goals including a hat-trick in the fourth round victory over Bristol Rovers. For the 1931–32 season, Bruton lost his regular place at centre-forward to Ernie Thompson and made only two further appearances, before a move to Liverpool in February 1932. He made his Liverpool debut away to West Ham United on 20 February 1932. He also played in the Anfield FA Cup defeat by Chelsea a week later. He made six more league appearances the following season plus another in the FA Cup, with his only goal for the club being at Chelsea on 27 December 1932.Liverpool FC career summary
/ref> In July 1933, he returned to non-league football with Leamington Town. He later had a spell on Coventry City's coaching staff.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bruton, Les 1903 births 1989 deaths Footballers from Coventry English men's footballers Southampton F.C. players Peterborough & Fletton United F.C. players Raith Rovers F.C. players Blackburn Rovers F.C. players Liverpool F.C. players Leamington F.C. players Men's association football forwards English Football League players Southern Football League players Scottish Football League players