Background
Emanuel was born in the Treboeth district of Swansea and played rugby in his schooldays.
Emanuel was born in the Treboeth district of Swansea and played rugby in his schooldays.
lieutenant was only when he was working for Imperial Chemical Industries that he first played "soccer". He was playing in the final of a local cup competition at Vetch Field when his "impressive form" prompted Swansea Town to offer him a professional contract. He spent three seasons with Swansea before he was signed by Southampton"s manager Tom Parker for a fee of £2,200, to replace Arthur Roberts who had joined Swansea in August.
Emanuel made his Saints" debut on 24 September 1938, in a 1–0 defeat at Newcastle United.
He soon settled into the Southampton defence and the fee looked to have been "money well spent". Emanuel only missed three matches in the remainder of the 1938-1939 season and also played the first three matches in the following season before League football was abandoned during the Second World War.
During the war, Emanuel made guest appearances for Swindon Town and Wrexham. His military service took him to India, North Africa, Burma and Madagascar.
He retired from football in 1948 and became a bus inspector in Swansea where he spent the rest of his life.
Len"s son Gary Emmanuel was a Wales under-23 football player who played for Birmingham City, Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town, Newport County, Bristol City and Swansea City.