Born in London, he began his career in non-league football before making his name during an eight-year spell with Queens Park Rangers.
He joined Newcastle United in 1995 and was an instant hit - helping the Magpies to successive runners-up spots in the Premier League in his two seasons with the club.
First forming a partnership with Peter Beardsley, he was soon joined by then-world record signing Alan Shearer, giving Kevin Keegan's side unrivalled firepower up front.
Les was bought by his boyhood club, Tottenham Hotspur, in 1997 and he went on to have brief spells at West Ham United, Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers, Reading and Watford.
A gentleman of the game, he is known affectionately as 'Sir Les' on Tyneside.
He was inducted into the Newcastle United Foundation Hall of Fame on 7th November 2017.