Limp Along Leslie

'Limp Along Leslie' is another character who originally emerged in the DC Thomson story-papers, in his case The Wizard from 1951-1955. The stories were reprinted in the early 60s and then reproduced in picture-story form in other Thomson comics (I think The New Hotspur), in the late 60s/70s. He also featured in the first issue of Buddy another Thomson launch of 1981 (along with other recycled heroes like The Wolf of Kabul, Captain Bill Sampson, who fought for the empire in the east, along with his faithful companion Chung - a splendid native chap who smashed in bad people's skulls with an old cricket bat). Thomson were clearly convinced that, for normal people at least, the comic reading "window" was about five years and that they could recycle a story after that sort of period.

Leslie Tomson is a creative footballer, an inside-forward, and captain of a team called Darbury Rangers. Due to a childhood car accident, in which both his parents were killed, his left leg was shorter than his right, and he walked with a slight limp, hence the nickname. "Leslie could not move as fast as other players, but what he lacked in speed he more than make up for in skill and craft". Amongst his skills is an amazing ability to bend the ball, something which in those days was largely limited to foreign players (I remain convinced that there are more connotations to "banana shot" than just the shape of the fruit).

As so many characters in comics have to have a second life, if only to vary the plot and to produce situations of conflict, Leslie spends his time running Low Dyke Farm, a sheep-farm in the Peak District (well in "Peakshire") outside Dalestone for his widowed aunt.

"Leslie’s brilliant hat-trick had put the Rangers into the semi-finals of the cup. Dad Moss, the team manager, was flushed with excitement as he watched the players come in. “Les, two England selectors have been watching the game,” he said. “I reckon you’ll be well in the running for an international Cap against Scotland at Hampden Park.” “I don’t know that I want to be picked for England,” muttered Leslie. “You don’t want a Cap?” gasped Moss. “Of course I do!” snapped Leslie. “But the Hampden Park match is on the same day as the National Sheepdog Trial, and I’ve entered Pal.” Leslie referred to his small black and white sheepdog. Leslie’s father, the late John Tomson, had won an International Trial with his famous dog, Skipper. He had also been captain of the Rangers and an England internationalist. Les wanted to follow in his footsteps. Now it looked as if Leslie might have to sacrifice one ambition for the sake of the other."


Limp Along Leslie 18 episodes in The Wizard issues 1302 – 1313 (1951)
Limp Along Leslie 37 episodes in The Wizard issues 1333 - 1369 (1951 – 1952)
Limp Along Leslie 35 episodes in The Wizard issues 1386 - 1420 (1952 - 1953)
Limp Along Leslie in Summer 3 episodes in The Wizard issues 1429 - 1430 (1953)
The Wild Man of the Rangers 34 episodes in The Wizard issues 1439 - 1472 (1953 - 1954)
He Never Said a Word 20 episodes in The Wizard issues 1490 - 1509 (1954 - 1955)
Limp Along Leslie 9 episodes in The Wizard issues 1541 - 1549 (1955)


Limp Along Leslie 52 episodes (Reprint of two series) in The Wizard issues 1740 – 1791 (1959 - 1960)
Mister Ninety Minutes 34 episodes (Reprint of The Wild Man of the Rangers) in The Wizard issues 1854 – 1887 (1961 - 1962)



Source : http://www.britishcomics.20m.com/home.htm Vic Whittle's marvellous site.