A former England Youth forward at Amateur level, Brentwood born Steve Leslie was brought to Colchester United by Dick Graham in 1971. At Layer Road, despite Steve himself believing striker to be his best position, his natural talent as a ball player saw him work his way up through the ranks and into the First Team in a midfield role. He twice played in sides that won promotion from the Fourth Division and one season even finished leading scorer, all be it with just 7 goals as the “U’s” suffered relegation in 1975/76.
A 22 year old Steve Leslie faces the camera at Layer Road.
Steve was one of a rare breed to be found in football now days in that he was very much a one club man during his professional career, even turning down the opportunity to join John Bond’s Norwich City to remain at Layer Road. He especially enjoyed his time playing under Boss Bobby Roberts who managed Colchester between 1975 and 1982. “As a coach I don’t see there being many in the game better than him. I couldn’t have received a better soccer education anywhere else. The years I was with him I consider well spent.” Steve believed that the Roberts method brought a number of his former charges coaching success. “Ray Harford at Luton Town for example, he followed the same principles.”
Leslie’s association with Colchester United lasted some 13 years before a recurring knee injury unfortunately forced him to quit the professional game in 1984 with 503 First Team appearances under his belt and 46 goals to his credit. After leaving the “U’s” Steve had a three month spell with Southern League Chelmsford City, a move he readily admits was a disaster. “It was such a change from being a professional. I couldn’t get used to playing part time and really hated it.” At this point he became an estate agent and by now had gained his own coaching qualifications earned through an FA course. He admits that it really opened his eyes to what he might have missed due to his loyalty to Colchester. “That’s the only time I had some regrets. It was the first time I had come into contact with First Division players on the course. I found out then that there wasn’t that great a difference between what they could do and what we did and I began to regret not having the chance to prove myself at the top level.”
His coaching abilities saw him run one of the much heralded Schools Of Excellence on behalf of Queens Park Rangers in Brentwood. Work commitments meant Saturday football was out of the question for over two years but when that situation changed the opportunity to return to the game at senior level was available once again although he did have a few reservations at first. “Because of my Chelmsford City experience I didn’t really want to play at senior level at first but I tried playing for Brentwood as a sweeper and found I really enjoyed it.” After a number of outings with the Essex Senior League side he was brought to Wivenhoe Town by his former long standing “U’s” team mate Micky Cook who was coaching the Dragons at the time. Steve made his Wivenhoe debut on Saturday 2nd January 1988 in a 7-0 home thrashing of Clapton. He had no problem fitting into the Dragons midfield. “They have good players here. Some like Keith Bain and Chris Dines have played for the club in the Border League. In the end that is what it is all about.” he said after Wivenhoe clinched the Isthmian League Division Two North Title in 1987/88.
Pic; Steve about to put a cross in at Broad Lane despite the desperate attempts of a Berkhamsted Town defender on 5/3/88.
Steve was the leading appearance maker in 1988/89 missing just two games and was clearly enjoying his football at the club under Geoff Bennett and Micky Cook as he put in quality performances week in week out. He scored his first goal for the club with a superb 20 yard free kick in a 3-0 victory at Collier Row on the 1/10/88 and also netted a penalty in a 3-1 win at Hampton on 29/4/88. Unfortunately he missed the majority of the 1989/90 campaign through injury as Wivenhoe won the Isthmian League First Division Title however he was back to fitness for the Dragons’ first season in the Premier Division. Now a veteran of 38 he still made 41 appearances. “This was all a bonus for me. What made it easier was that I was playing with some very good players and that made my midfield job so much easier.” That season also saw Steve play at Layer Road one more time as the “U’s” defeated Wivenhoe in the FA Trophy 3rd Round. He made the last of his 125 appearances in a Dragons shirt on Saturday 4th May 1991 in a 0-1 defeat at St Albans City. After leaving Broad Lane Steve rejoined Brentwood and also went on to work for Ipswich Town’s Academy.
Steve Leslie’s free kick beats the Collier Row keeper at the Sungate Ground to score the first of his six goals during the course of his Dragons career.