*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Lester Smith
Appearances: 13 Goals: 0
Date / Year of birth: 1945
Position: Defender
Season of first appearance: 1965/66
Season of last appearance: 1967/68
Also played for: Brett Sports, Herne Bay, Sittingbourne and Ramsgate
Local product of King Ethelbert School, Birchington who played for East Kent Boys as a youngster and went on to spend many seasons in Margate's reserve team, first appearing for them during the 1961/62 campaign. Lester then made 52 further reserve team appearances spanning the 1962/63 and 1963/64 campaigns.
It wasn't until the 1965/66 season that Lester was given a first team opportunity. He made his debut at left-back in a 5-2 Kent Floodlight Cup win at Deal on 21.12.65 and played twice more before the end of the season.
In June 1966 Lester took part in Margate's three match tour of West Germany and he went on to make nine further senior appearances during the 1966/67 campaign, impressing with his hard-working style.
He also made a one-off appearance for the first team during the 1967/68 season. Lester played in the Kent Senior Cup tie at Ashford on 24.1.68 and it turned out to be his final senior appearance for Margate although he was still a regular in the reserves during the 1968/69, 1969/70 and 1970/71 seasons.
He then left the club to join Brett Sports and spent the 1971/72 and 1972/73 seasons there before moving to Herne Bay in the summer of 1973 when Bretts folded. During 1975/76 Lester had a brief stint as Herne Bay's player-manager.
He later had a short spell with Sittingbourne during the 1976/77 season but returned to Herne Bay in March 1977.
In the summer of 1977 Lester was appointed as Herne Bay's player-manager and continued in that role until resigning in February 1980.
In March 1981 Lester joined Ramsgate and then returned to Hartsdown Park as a veteran to play for Thanet United Reserves at the start of the 1981/82 season.
He later became manager of Ramsgate, taking over at Southwood in the summer of 1985. Lester enjoyed a successful three years in the job before stepping down at the end of the 1987/88 campaign.
However he returned to Southwood once more at the start of the 1992/93 season, becoming assistant manager to Paul Rimmer. In April 1993 Lester and striker Lennie Lee took over as the Rams' joint caretaker managers when Rimmer resigned.
Lester was also a prominent local cricketer and played football for Kent whilst with Margate.
Lester's older brother Leslie also played for Margate's first team and another older brother Larry played for the reserves during the 1960/61 season.
In 2014 Lester was still watching Margate matches at Hartsdown Park and on 12.4.14 he was one of the many former Margate players who attended the club's 'Legends Day'.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC |
KSS |
|
1965/66 (MFC) |
3 (67) |
N/A |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (22ND OF 22) |
1QR |
2R |
SF |
RU |
SF |
| Margate relegated to
Division One. Played in Kent Floodlight Cup Final 1st Leg (12.05.66 - lost 3-1 at Dartford). Played in Kent Floodlight Cup Final 2nd Leg (18.05.66 - lost 5-2 at home to Dartford). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC |
KSS |
|
1966/67 (MFC) |
9 (72) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (2ND OF 24) |
3QR |
QF |
RU |
GR |
2R |
| Margate promoted to
Premier Division. Played in Kent Senior Cup Final 2nd Leg (06.04.67 - lost 1-0 at Dover). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC |
KSS |
|
1967/68 (MFC) |
1 (82) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (8TH OF 22) |
2R |
W |
1R |
GR |
N/A |