A former striker who helped Mansfield Town beat the ‘World Cup winners’ of West Ham United in the FA Cup in 1969 has died, the club has announced.
Bob Ledger died on Monday at a residential home in Doncaster following a short illness. He was 77.
He will be best remembered by Stags fans for his efforts in the FA Cup run of 1968-69 when the side famously reached the quarter finals, defeating West Ham United in the fifth round.
The Hammers’ team included three players who had won the World Cup with England in 1966: Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Bobby Moore.
Bob scored three goals during the FA Cup run, the first two helped defeat Tow Law Town 4-1 in the first round.
The third was the only goal of the second round replay which knocked out Rotherham United to set up a third round tie with Sheffield United.
The then 30-year-old Ledger had arrived in Mansfield just before Christmas in 1967 making his debut against Scunthorpe United on December 23.
He was a popular figure with the fans, and stayed at the club until October 1969 when he left for Barrow.
He began his career with Huddersfield Town as a youngster in 1954.
Bob scored his first senior goal in the famous game with Charlton Athletic at the Valley when, after leading 5-1 with 62 minutes played, the Terriers were beaten 6-7.
In the summer of 1962 he moved on to Oldham Athletic before Tommy Eggleston paid a reported £2,500 fee to bring him to the Stags. In all competitions for Mansfield Town, he played in 65 matches, scoring 19 goals.
Mansfield Town chairman John Radford said: “I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Bob Ledger, a man who will never be forgotten at our club.
“He was with the Stags during one of our finest hours, playing in that famous 3-0 win against West Ham United in 1969, and his name will be forever etched in our history books.
“Our sincere condolences are sent to Bob’s family and friends at this time.”
Bob is survived by his two sons, Nick and James. His funeral is being held today.
