Luton Town FC Mount Rushmore
When I put together the Colorado Avalanche Mount Rushmore it wasn’t easy, but I only had to go back to 1995 as research. Plus most, if not all, of the four, picked would be unanimous I would feel with most Avalanche fans. Sure that Rushmore could change in the coming years with Nathan MacKinnon on the scene but for now, it was pretty straightforward.
The reason I’ve held off on the Luton Town one is because it’s anything but straightforward. The club has been around since 1885 and I’ve been a supporter since the 1980’s so the list of players to choose from is far greater than that of the Avalanche. Plus no matter who I pick I’m going to have some outlaw berate me I’m sure for not picking someone else. Alas, I grew used to these outlaws hurling abuse during my podcast days and decided why the hell not do it.
So reach for you guns outlaws I’m about to piss someone off.
First on my list was Gordon Turner. Turner began his career at Kenilworth Road as a midfielder but soon moved up front where he would score 276 goals in all competitions over 15 years and remains to this day Luton’s highest ever goalscorer. Gordon scored 32 goals in the 1954-55 season which helped Luton secure promotion to the First Division (equivalence of today’s Premier League) for the first time in club history. He missed the 1959 FA Cup Final against Nottingham Forest as he had just recovered from injury and Luton manager Syd Owen decided to stick with the team that got there. Luton lost the game 2-1 and many believe had Turner played the outcome could have been very different.
Second, on the list is John Moore. Moore joined Luton in 1965 after being released by Scottish side Motherwell. He played for eight years between 1965 and 1973 helping the club achieve two promotions from Division Four to Division Two during that time. Moore then returned as a coach under David Pleat in the early 1980’s eventually taking over the reins as manager when Pleat left for Tottenham Hotspur before the 1986-87 season. Despite only staying in the role for one season as he didn’t feel the job suited him Moore led Luton to a 7th place finish in Division One, which remains to this day their highest ever League finish.
Next up is Syd Owen. Born in Birmingham Syd moved to Luton in 1947 after playing only five times for his hometown team and spent the next 13 years at the club first as a player and then as a manager. He played over 400 times for the club and became Captain in 1950 while also getting chosen to represent his country in the 1954 World Cup. On April 27th, 1959 he was named Luton player-manager taking over the reins from Dally Duncan who had left six months earlier. His first game in charge was the 1959 FA Cup Final loss to Nottingham Forest and he would leave just under a year later due to a “fundamental disagreement on policy” with the Luton board. Many believe this was due to them buying players he did not want behind his back while blocking transfers of players he did.
Lastly is Ricky Hill. It was hard not to pick Kingsley Black here just because that was my guy. He was the reason I began following Luton. But anyone who tells you Ricky Hill doesn’t deserve to be here should spend an evening on YouTube watching his obvious talent. I caught the back end of Ricky’s career at Kenilworth Road and still enjoy watching his masterclass in the 1988 League Cup Final win over Arsenal. With over 400 appearances Ricky was a staple of the Luton team that won promotion to Division One in 1982 and his skill earned him three England caps (something that should have been a lot more), before moving abroad after the 1988-89 season.
Honorable Mentions:
Kingsley Black – see above.
Mick Harford – Mick has always been there when the club needed him including taking the reins last season after Nathan Jones left and guiding us to promotion from League One. Unfortunately he also has a stint as assistant manager with a certain Franchise team in England that shall remain nameless to mar an otherwise decent CV.
Mal Donaghy – a no-nonsense defender who will probably never get the recognition he deserves because of his quiet nature off the pitch. Mal was a fantastic player and servant to the club before being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1988.
MNT 2022 World Cup
Add name(s) here – since I know everyone will disagree with something just go ahead and add your players here. You’re welcome.
