The Guv'nor: The Autobiography of Lenny McLean

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He did, finally, and it was then that his fearsome reputation was put to work in the ring and on the streets. So Lenny had his myths and Roy had his, and no doubt so did Cliff Field and Johnny Waldron and everyone else. His untimely death in 1998, following a battle against cancer, was a tragic loss for family and friends and left his legions of fans shocked and bereft. John, although McLean by streetfighting standards was a very hard man, he would be easily beaten by a pro boxer of any class.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. This is a tale of one man’s triumph against almost insurmountable odds, in a battle that Len fought every day for himself, and to ‘put steam on the table’ for his wife and kids.He suffered two bullet wounds from separate attacks, and was attacked from behind and stabbed on two occasions. He was a man in possession of an arcane and almost impenetrable moral code, applied utterly inflexibly with his fists.

We give people around the world the opportunity to contribute to the circular economy, earn money and protect the planet, by trading their unwanted books and media.Stories of his exploits abound, his name being known far beyond his native manor of Hoxton, with a fearsome reputation built on the back of being a gentleman and one of the best fighters I have ever seen, according to the late Ron Kray. Lenny, however, is also a warm, grizzly bear of a man, whose main weakness is an overwhelming desire to put the welfare of his mates ahead of his own well-being. Lenny emerges from its pages as a sort of insane version of a contemporary, London-based Robin Hood, dispensing justice ‘on the cobbles’ via his giant fists (‘I never needed guns or knives…’). Read more the beginning of the end of the old Cockney way of life and interest in his story has only increased since his passing, inspiring documentaries as well as a feature film, My Name is Lenny. These are touching tributes from the men and women that Lenny encountered on his journey through life.

A poor condition book can still make a good reading copy but is generally not collectible unless the item is very scarce. As a not-for-profit media organisation using constructive journalism to strengthen communities, we have not put our digital content behind a paywall or subscription fee as we think the benefits of an independent, local publication should be available to everyone living in our area. You get a feel for his invincibility in fist fights and the description of the violence at once puts you there and often rooting for him.

The fight films, like out-takes from the Sweeney yet grimily, viscerally authentic, are up there on You Tube. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.