Les Fong was recruited by West Perth in 1973 as a rover with potential. The club had a high regard for  the sixteen year old, and he went straight into the reserves side for the season opener, against East Perth. That he lived up to their expectations was an understatement. Such was Fong’s impact in the reserves that in the seven games he played with them, he polled enough votes to take home the fairest and best award. Fong made his league debut in round eight of that year, against East Fremantle, to become the youngest player ever to represent West Perth at league level. It was the beginning of the career of one of the club’s most loyal servants. At a time when many of this state’s best footballers were being lured to Victoria, Fong, who undoubtedly was capable of succeeding in the VFL, played out his stellar fourteen years and 284 games with West Perth.  Indeed, Les Fong as a player and leader, became the “face” of the West Perth Football Club. Captain for six seasons in the eighties, he was the club’s longest serving captain ever. As a leader, he  epitomised the qualities the role required. Fearless as a contestant, he set the example for his team to follow, and  was respected by team mates, supporters, and opponents. Les Fong was a tough  competitor, a ballgetter, who was also a reliable shot at goal from any angle. Les Fong’s first season with the Cardinals saw his side in the grand final against Subiaco, who they had beaten by three goals in the second semi final. The tables were turned, however, when Subiaco won by thirty two points in the big one. In his third year, Fong tasted premiership glory as  West Perth crushed South Fremantle in the 1975 premiership decider.Fong never experienced grand final action again at WAFL level, but it wasn’t in any way attributable to his own efforts. He was a fine and consistent contributor over a long period, winning Fairest and Best Awards in 1982 and 83, and making six appearances for Western Australia. “Captain Courageous”, as he became known, played his best football when his team was battling.In the opening fixture of 1985, Les led West Perth to a brilliant season starter with a fifty point margin over South Fremantle, with a personal tally of nine goals.  It was a season full of promise, but it ended with a semi final loss to Swan Districts. Les Fong retired after the 1987 season, and took up the coaching reins at Amateur side, Trinity Aquinas, with mixed success. It was to be an apprenticeship to greater things, however, and in 1991 he coached Sunday League club Wanneroo to a historic unbeaten season. They won the grand final by 104 points over Armadale. The following year, Les showed his coaching abilities to a greater degree, when, despite the loss of thirteen of the previous season’s list, Wanneroo were once again triumphant.   Les Fong was named as number one rover in the West Perth “Team Of The Century”, which was a strong indication of the respect he has at the club, considering the qualities of rovers to have represented West Perth over the years. He was recognised at State level when inducted to the West Australian Football Hall Of Fame in 2006.