Leon Legge

Career

Legge began his career playing youth football for Little Common and Sidley United, before joining Sussex County League club Eastbourne United. At the age of 17, Legge joined Hailsham Town, where he was appointed captain earning trials for Eastbourne Borough and Woking, before joining Lewes in the summer of 2005. Following the departure of manager Steve King on promotion to the Conference National, Legge joined Tonbridge Angels before being handed a professional contract by Brentford in July 2009. Before signing as a professional Legge had been working as a care worker for adults with learning difficulties and gave this up when signing for the Bees. In an interview with the Hastings Observer, Legge says his working career as a footballer, playing for Brentford, just keep getting better and never expect his career to be positive.

Legge made his debut in the Football League Trophy defeat against Norwich City in September 2009, having been named as an unused substitute in Brentford's two previous matches. Legge made his League debut in the 2–0 defeat at Yeovil Town on 26 September 2009. His first goal for the Bees was the winner in the FA Cup Second Round game against Walsall which earned him the FA's "Player of the Round" award. A month later after scoring his first goal, on 11 December 2009, it was announced that Legge had signed a contract extension, keeping him at Brentford until at least the end of the 2010–11 season. The following month, on 26 January 2010, he scored his first league goal, in a 1–1 draw against Southampton when he scored a late equaliser. Two months later, on 23 March 2010, he scored again in a 3–3 draw against Colchester United At the end of the season, with an impressive debut at Brentford, Legge signed a new contract, that will keep him until 2012.

The next season, Legge continued to retain his first team status throughout the season and scored four goals against Exeter City, Tranmere Rovers and Charlton Athletic. During the season, the club would progress their way to the Football League Trophy final, having even won the Southern Section in Area Final but lost against Carlisle United in the final at the Wembley Arena, where he made a start and was booked on a 24th minutes. After the match, Legge described playing at the Wembley as 'privilege', though disappointed with the result. Towards the game, Legge soon ruled out with an groin injury. He eventually made a full recovery from injury by returning to full training but made no appearance for the rest of the game. At the end of the season, Legge was linked with two unknown Championship clubs

The club offered him a new contract to keep him at Brentford until 2014, after claiming his first goal of the season versus Leyton Orient on the fourth match day of the 2011–12 season. At the end of August, Legge soon tore his hamstring in a defeat against Tranmere Rovers and will be out for seven weeks. Two months later, Legge says he expected to come back from injury in November. He made his return from injury by making appearance in a development game with Reading. In mid-December, Legge scored two goals in consecutive games against Bournemouth and Milton Keynes Dons, which both goals were on injury time. In March, his injury come back to haunt him again when he strained his hamstring injury, He made his return two weeks later against Rochdale. He scored his fourth goal, on the final game of the season, in a 3–1 win over relegated League One side Chesterfield.

The following season, Legge first team opportunities soon became limited, having spent time on the bench, in numbers of games despite making impressive performance against Oldham Athletic. After the match, Manager Uwe Rösler stated: "It was crucial we had a player like Leon Legge who came on and played to his strengths, He showed what an important player he is for us. He came on and worked well. Players at our level need to understand it's a squad game. They will all play a part.” However, Legge never play a game under Rösler, though he made appearance in the FA Cup campaign.

Legge joined Gillingham during the 2012–13 season on a month's loan with a view to a permanent move. After the move, Manager Martin Allen says Legge's signing was "pushing the boat out" and credit chairman Paul Scally for the capture. Legge, himself, says Myles Weston played the role of him joining Gillingham. Legge made his debut for the club, in a 1–0 win over Southend United. Shortly after his debut, with five appearance, it was announced that he had signed a two and a half-year contract with the Kent-based club. Legge's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis, was against Wycombe Wanderers, which Gillingham lost 1–0. A few week later, Legge scored his first goal for the club against Dagenham & Redbridge. His second goal soon came in a 1–1 draw against Aldershot Town. After the match, Allen praised Legge and Adam Barrett for their performances.

On 19 May 2015, Legge signed a two-year contract with League Two side Cambridge United, becoming the first signing of the close season for the Abbey Stadium club.

Personal life

Legge was 16 years old when he discovered he suffered from epilepsy. He is an ambassador for the charity, Young Epilepsy

Career statistics