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To encourage the preservation and appreciation of the history of Luton Town Football Club Charity number 1183061

01/11/2026

GODFREY INGRAM: THE MAN IN THE TANK

Godfrey Ingram was one cool footballer. In fact, this nimble-footed striker was so chilled he once fell asleep in a flotation tank at Kenilworth Road. Everyone forgot about him and he came within a whisker of spending the entire night locked in the medical room!

In the past 50 years or so the Hatters have gained a reputation for producing home grown talent and Dunstable teenager Godfrey was the outstanding starlet to emerge in the mid-to-late 1970s. Possessing great balance, speed and touch, he was a leading light in the Chiltern Youth League and picked for England at schoolboy and youth levels before signing professional at Luton in summer 1977.

But let’s get back to that flotation tank story, as relayed by physio John Sheridan: John recalls getting hold of a ‘Delta Float’ tank for Luton’s medical room, a state-of-the-art model used by the USAF to help its pilots relax and reduce stress. It measured no more than eight feet long, five feet wide and four feet high with the Luton Town badge proudly displayed on it. It held about ten inches of water, with a good helping of Epsom salts creating a solution more buoyant than the Dead Sea. It was sound-proofed and completely dark inside, which often encouraged the floating footballers to doze off after they clambered in.

In his excellent 2021 book ‘The Limping Physio’, John recalls how Godfrey was a regular tank user and one day after training asked for a session which would need to be short, as he had an important appointment later on. After Godfrey disappeared inside the tank, John carried on treating other players. After finishing his duties John cleaned the treatment room, locked up, and headed to his car after another busy day.

Just as he pulled out of the car park, to his horror he realised he’d completely forgotten about Godfrey who was still in the tank, by now probably shrivelled like a prune! Once back in the treatment room John quickly switched on the facility that allowed music to be played through the tank’s internal speakers. Thinking on his feet, he cleverly chose the Marianne Faithfull song ‘What’s the Hurry’(!) and the patient inside slowly woke up, by now in very relaxed mode.

Recalled John: “I said to him ‘Godfrey, I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is you’ve been in a deep sleep, but the bad news is your appointment was three hours ago’. Godfrey took it in good spirits and I didn’t have the heart to tell him he’d almost spent a whole night in the flotation tank!”

News of Luton’s tank innovation quickly spread and the BBC’s Paul Heiney visited the ground to try it out and make a programme for Radio Four. Added John: “I’m not sure if football clubs still use them, but for Luton back then this was a sound investment and I think we were one of the first clubs in this country to have one”.

As a small boy Godfrey had been a matchday mascot at Kenilworth Road. A few years later he ran on the pitch again, this time as a sub making his senior debut in an FA Cup tie with Oldham, just days before David Pleat replaced Harry Haslam as manager. Over the next three years Godfrey was unable to pin down a regular place in the side however, and after 33 games and eight goals departed for a long and successful career in the USA. One of his final games for Town was the historic 2-1 win at QPR – the first English League game played on artificial turf.

Godfrey’s stats across the pond would be remarkable – he hit roughly 300 goals in 500-plus games. He eventually hung his boots up in 1992, having by now started a successful business career. He would be welcomed back to the Luton Town fold in 2008 as part of the 2020 consortium who saved and reinvigorated our crisis-hit club.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• Read more about Godfrey Ingram, via this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/players/godfrey-ingram-p809

• For more on popular physio John Sheridan, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/directors-and-staff/john-sheridan-p800090

26/10/2026

HATTERS’ FIRST MANAGER DROPS A BOMBSHELL

Some football clubs take weeks to appoint a new manager. Others act swiftly and do so within 24 hours. Luton Town FC opened for business in 1885 and it took FORTY YEARS to bring in their first manager!

Times were different back then of course, but four decades still seems a little bit sluggish?

The team was struggling on a long winless run during the winter of 1924-25 when the fans began calling for the Board to get their act together and modernise by appointing a manager. By the end of February they got their way. Prior to then all recruitment, training, team selection and other chores had been done by a mix of people, mainly the club secretary, trainer, captain and directors.

A number of clubs ticked over without a manager back then, but by the 1920s more and more were jumping on the bandwagon and putting one man in charge of team affairs. The choice was usually an experienced ex-player with a bit of gravitas about him.

Luton’s first man in the hot seat was Tynesider George Alexander Thompson – usually known as ‘Alec’ - who arrived at Kenilworth Road aged 40 with no managerial experience, but nearly 100 games under his belt as a winger at Sheffield United and Derby. Born in South Shields he was a small, dapper fellow, married with children, who spoke plainly and without frills in a strong Geordie accent.

He agreed to start work on Monday 23rd February 1925 having two days earlier quietly taken a seat in the Main Stand to watch Town’s goalless draw with Norwich. He will have quickly become aware of discontent among home fans, who were witnessing a 16th successive game without victory. Town were 18th in a Division Three (South) table of 22 teams.

At the final whistle, instead of slipping away for his train home, “Thompson took off his coat and embarked on the job at once.” He could see Luton were playing decent build-up football but lacked a killer instinct in attack. A major hurdle would be the lack of funds to strengthen the squad.

On the Monday morning Thompson took a proper look around the ground and was introduced to the players by chairman Harry Arnold in the recreation room. He then headed back to Tyneside to tie up some loose ends, returning the following weekend to take up residence locally and oversee a home game with Charlton.

He inspired a 1-0 win over the Londoners, Luton’s first success in 17 weeks. Of the 88 League clubs we were one of only three without an away win, but that changed with a 1-0 triumph at Exeter. Although he disappeared up north for a quick Easter holiday (thus missing three vital games!) Thompson would achieve his objective and steer the club clear of the re-election zone.

Summer of 1925 saw predictions that Luton were ready to challenge for promotion. Thompson and new trainer Billy Barr expressed approval at the condition and attitude of the players after the close season. They rewarded them with a stroll down to Wardown Park to play cricket against Luton Police. The footballers won comfortably, winger George Dennis star of the show with 41 runs.

But only three wins from the first ten games of 1925-26, combined with the lack of cash for new players, meant relations grew tense between Board and the new manager. Thompson made nine changes to the team after a draw at Exeter in October and it seemed to have the desired effect, being followed by a 3-3 thriller with Brighton and a 5-2 win at Aberdare Athletic. Then, just a matter of hours after returning from Wales, Thompson dropped a bombshell, handing in a letter of resignation on the Monday.

The full reasons remained unclear, but tight-lipped Thompson told the press: “I have no statement at the moment – the time is not ripe. If I ever do make one it will be frank and explicit.” The club said his resignation was accepted and there was nothing more to say. ‘Crusader’ of the Luton News said all this confirmed the rumours that relations between manager and directors had gone sour.

Thompson was in charge for only eight months, winning 10 of 26 games – a success rate of 38.5%. His reign had parallels with that of Matt Bloomfield in recent times – Matt also lasted eight months and won 12 out of 33, a success rate of 36.4%.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• To view the 1925 issue of the LTFC handbook, click this link: https://cdn.hattersheritage.co.uk/site/Luton+News+Football+Handbook+1925-26.pdf

• For full details of the 1924-25 season, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/matches?season=36

20/10/2026

THE HAZARDOUS WORLD OF LIL FUCCILLO

In successive 1970s winters Luton and Blackburn met twice in games that resembled pantomimes on ice rather than serious football. Players slithered around on the frozen pitches in comical fashion – but it was no laughing matter for Town midfielder Lil Fuccillo.

At Ewood Park in February 1978 - the second of these farcical contests - Lil was victim of a wild tackle by defender Glenn Keeley that was so extreme there were grave concerns he may have broken his neck. According to one report: “The challenge was so fierce Fuccillo was pitchforked skywards, cartwheeled in mid-air above Keeley’s shoulders and plunged head first to earth. It was like seeing a swimmer dive into an empty pool.”

Fuccillo was carefully stretchered off to hospital, leaving behind stunned teammates and an apoplectic manager David Pleat, who couldn’t believe ref Newsome only cautioned reckless Keeley instead of dismissing him. Fuccillo suffered serious concussion and a neck injury that proved not as bad as first feared. It took 12 x-rays to produce a diagnosis of severe bruising and no fracture. BBC’s Match of the Day covered the game and when Fuccillo watched it back later, said seeing the footage “frightened the life out of me.”

Rovers won 2-0 and their manager Jim Smith, honest and outspoken as ever, seemed embarrassed by events on the field. He praised Luton players for not exaggerating the icy conditions by slipping and sliding to persuade the ref to abandon the game. Smith should know, because that’s exactly what Blackburn’s players had done a year earlier, falling over at every opportunity on snow-covered Kenilworth Road and successfully persuading ref Martin to abandon the game with Town leading!

The neck injury wasn’t the last time Fuccillo made headlines for being on the receiving end of a late tackle in 1978. Just before Christmas, in a 1-3 defeat at Brighton, home sub Paul Clark came on and smashed into Fuccillo after the ball had gone, leaving him with a compound fracture of the leg. It was another appalling challenge, stunning even home fans and players – and once again only punished by a yellow card. For several days there was even talk of legal action being taken against Clark. On his next visit to Kenilworth Road Clark would be welcomed by a Luton fan emptying a bottle of tomato ketchup over his head in the tunnel area.

To make matters even worse for Fuccillo, after a painful recovery period of 10 months his comeback in a Wallspan Southern Combination game with Stevenage saw him break the same leg. He said: “I didn’t feel much pain the second time. It was like popping a piece of bubble gum. I broke it in exactly the same place but it wasn’t as bad as the first one.”

Another 14 months on the sidelines ended with a comeback against Tampa Bay Rowdies in a friendly, followed by a senior return against Preston in December 1980. To everyone’s delight Lil banged in our third goal in a 4-2 win, a moment that lifted the roof off Kenilworth Road. He spent summer 1981 working on a building site near his Bedford home to help strengthen his leg and returned as a regular in the No.10 shirt during the title-winning 1981-2 campaign.

In a home win over Oldham in March 1982 yet another late tackle came Lil's way, leading to a red card for future Hatter Darron McDonough. When told Latics boss Jimmy Frizzell thought he’d been play-acting, Lil rolled up his trousers and said: “There’s nothing fake about these!” revealing a row of stud marks.

A talented left-midfielder from Bedford’s Italian community, Lil (real name Pasquale) made a total of 180 first team appearances for Town, netting 27 goals, between 1974 and 1983. He left for a short stint in the USA (Tulsa Roughnecks) followed by Southend, but after a disagreement with manager Bobby Moore joined Peterborough as player-coach. In the 1980s he also played for Valletta (Malta), Cambridge, Kettering and Wivenhoe before becoming manager at Peterborough and coaching stints at Barnet and Sheffield Wednesday.

His return to Kenilworth Road came in 2000 to help Ricky Hill with scouting and coaching, before a 10-week stint as manger prior to the arrival of Joe Kinnear. After this he coached his local side Wootton Blue Cross before returning to senior football as a scout for various clubs, most recently Bristol City. Earlier this year he celebrated his 70th birthday.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• For more on Lil Fuccillo, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/players/lil-fuccillo-p792

• For more on Lil Fuccillo's comeback game against Preston, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/matches/luton-town-fc-vs-preston-north-end-13-dec-1980

14/10/2026

RAY HARFORD: CUP RUNS GALORE, BUT A SAD ENDING

As he tucked into a family Christmas dinner in December 1989, Luton manager Ray Harford no doubt found himself able to relax for an hour or two and forget how football can be a cruel mistress.

Earlier that year Harford (no relation to Mick) had been riding high, piloting the hard-up Hatters to Wembley for a third time during his tenure. But since then things had gone distinctly pear-shaped. By Christmas, Town had won just four of 18 league games in the 1989-90 top flight, and his future was in peril. There was pressure to sell his best players, a squad ravaged by injury, and fans spitting vitriol over negativity and long-ball tactics.

Sure enough, barely a week after his turkey and plum pudding, Ray Harford left Kenilworth Road for good. It was a messy parting, widely reported as caused by Ray being “too dour and not smiling enough”. Chairman Brian Cole admitted mentioning these characteristics, but was shaken when the tabloids seized on his words and blew the whole thing out of proportion. So shaken in fact that Brian himself resigned shortly afterwards, making way for Roger Smith to become Town’s third chairman in seven months.

The sack, or mutually agreed departure, whichever you prefer, came after a 1-2 defeat at Everton on New Year’s Day, our tenth successive game without a win. The ‘Harford out’ chants had filled the December air at Kenilworth Road on Boxing Day against Forest (1-1) and four days later against Chelsea (0-3).

Even a rumour the Hatters were about to sign ageing superstar Trevor Francis failed to cheer people up. Given the atmosphere of misery and chaos around that time, it was no wonder Ray hadn’t done much smiling. Coach Jimmy Ryan, an old favourite from the 1970s, replaced him and Ryan’s first act was inspiring a magnificent 2-2 draw at Anfield - the famous ‘new manager bounce’!

Meanwhile Harford’s managerial and coaching career would last another dozen years, stints at Wimbledon, Blackburn, WBA, QPR and Millwall re-establishing his reputation. His work with Millwall was cruelly cut short in 2002 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer – despite apparently being a non-smoker. His journalist friend Tony Stenson revealed that Ray had 13 gruelling sessions of treatment before deciding to call a halt. He died on the opening day of the 2003-4 football season aged just 58. Such was his popularity around 500 attended his funeral in Surrey, many listening via speakers outside the packed church. Mourners included Sir Alex Ferguson, Alan Shearer, Kenny Dalglish and Tery Venables, all of whom called him a friend and first-class coach.

Harford’s coaching journey had begun at Colchester in 1975, moving upwards in 1982 when he became Malcolm Macdonald’s right-hand man at Fulham. The ex-Luton legend Supermac admitted coaching wasn’t his strong point, hence his choice of Harford to take the training at Craven Cottage.

As he became better known Harford remained humble and generous with his time, even agreeing to turn out in an Essex village for my East Anglian Daily Times journalists’ team one chilly Sunday in 1983. When our team-sheet went up I was delighted to see my name in the No.9 shirt, ahead of Ray Harford, given No.12 and a seat on the bench!

When he came on, of course, he was able to patiently get us Sunday morning amateurs organised and we duly won 9-2. My two lasting memories of that day are managing to backheel the ball into Harford’s path for him to lash home a great goal, and the way he quietly dished out a fierce and highly effective ‘tackle’ on opposition player Ginger Groves (father of Arsenal star Perry) who had been making a nuisance of himself!

Back to the serious stuff, it was a shame Harford’s 30-month reign at Luton ended so badly. He’d given us some brilliant cup runs in 1988 and 1989, plus goal-fests like the 7-4 and 5-2 wins over Oxford (12-6 on aggregate!) and a 6-1 larruping of Southampton. He was gaffer during a strange era of LTFC history, coping with Boardroom shenanigans galore, a plastic pitch, financial mayhem and even the sale of the ground.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• For more on RAY HARFORD, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/directors-and-staff/ray-harford-p800010

• For more on the chaotic 1989-90 season, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/matches?season=95

08/10/2026

GHOSTBUSTER AND UNSUNG HERO FRED BUNYAN

Ancient grounds like Kenilworth Road are often the source of tall tales, strange rumours and unexplained mysteries. Some old stadiums are even said to be haunted – and Kenilworth Road is no exception.

It was reported in the early 1980s that maintenance engineer Fred Bunyan had spooky experiences during the early mornings when he was the only person inside the ground. He often noticed wispy smoke wafting up near the corner of the players’ tunnel and the dressing rooms, as if someone was lingering there with a lit cigarette. Fred never got to the bottom of these ghostly goings-on – but the story warranted a mention in Roger Wash’s 2005 book ‘Luton Town At Kenilworth Road’, so who are we to cast any doubts!

Unsung hero and ghostbuster Fred Bunyan was Luton-born and worked for Vauxhall Motors after leaving Beech Hill school, joining the Hatters as maintenance engineer after chief groundsman Eddie Hartley (a neighbour) recommended him to the club in 1969. Fred came in and met manager Alec Stock who asked him to start work immediately. Fred was in his late thirties by this time and working for his favourite club was a dream come true.

When I interviewed him back in 1982 for an article in the matchday programme, Fred told me the only home games he’d missed in 35 years were a 1960s Fourth Division encounter with Barnsley and – to his eternal regret – the classic 8-2 drubbing of mighty Sunderland in Division One in 1955. That means he’d totted up first team, reserve and youth team matches amounting to well over 1,000. Over subsequent years that tally continued to rise of course.

Fred was recruited a fortnight after assistant groundsman Dick Wassell arrived in 1969 and the pair of them became popular figures for years, working tirelessly in and around the old stadium. Fred’s appointment maintained a family tradition as father Fred Bunyan Senior was maintenance man at the ground until his death in 1964.

Fred Junior could fix just about anything and everything, minor jobs and major jobs, some of which involved clambering up and down the stands and pylons with his toolbag, and others that saw him disappear in the maze of passages under the Main Stand. He wasn’t the type to dither around or take things slowly – the guided tour of the ground he gave me made me wish I’d brought running shoes with me!

After David Pleat’s magnificent side won the Second Division title and shot us back into the big time, Fred spent the summer of 1982 building a new ticket and development office almost single-handedly – and in double-quick time too.

Nothing daunted him, not even the above-mentioned ghost – although he admitted getting highly annoyed over senseless damage by matchday trouble-makers. He recalled one particular episode of sickening scenes when even his own home was badly damaged by rioting Derby fans.

Fred’s house was at the top of Kenilworth Road next to the ground. In his 2025 book, ‘Just One More Goal’ David Pleat paints a vivid picture of this area:

“Manager Harry Haslam’s office was tucked away in the bedroom of one of the shabby terraced houses at the top of Kenilworth Road, from where the club was run. One house contained the Luton manager, the club and two personal assistants occupying the converted bedrooms upstairs. The commercial and pools offices were downstairs, connected by the narrowest staircase I have ever seen. There were no banisters.

"Next door lived Sheila and Bob Kent. He was the irritable loud-mouthed groundsman who protected his grass as if it were spun from gold. Sheila was the cleaner. Maintenance man [Fred Bunyan] lived in the third house and he could always be seen walking around with his toolbag looking busy. His wife Mary, an attractive woman in her forties, worked in the commercial office [and reception]. It was a big happy family.”

Fred enjoyed much of Luton’s 1980s stint in the top flight, but after a short illness in April 1987 died at the age of only 54.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• View the Hatters Heritage profile of FRED BUNYAN - Link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/directors-and-staff/fred-bunyan-p800121

• View the Hatters Heritage profile of DICK WASSELL - Link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/directors-and-staff/dick-wassell

02/10/2026

SOUP, ROAST LAMB, PLUM TART & CUSTARD

The announcement of a new manager at Luton Town is always a huge story. Over the years we’ve had nearly 40 managers (not counting caretakers), meaning the media has had bags of opportunity to try different ways of announcing a new appointment.

Probably the most surreal coverage of all was the story published in July 1960 when a certain Sam Bartram arrived to take control of the newly-relegated Hatters in Division Two.

This story featured in the weekly ‘Beds and Herts Pictorial’, whose brief was apparently to provide an eye-catching and light-hearted approach to local news. No doubt the paper had to be mindful of the fact Sam arrived on a Wednesday meaning a six-day gap before their next edition hit the streets. Readers interested in LTFC would know of his arrival by then, so a story with a different ‘angle’ was called for.

And so it came to pass that the Pictorial’s columnist Tony Campbell took himself down to The George Hotel in Luton town centre where the Hatters’ new 46-year-old boss was staying (Sadly this splendid 15th century building at 50 George Street was demolished in 1971 and is now a Primark store!).

All this took place in 1960 when celebrated writer Hunter S Thompson had yet to find fame, so the fact intrepid Tony Campbell adopted Thompson’s ‘gonzo’ approach on this particular day must have been coincidental! Tucked away on page 11, this is what Campbell wrote:
---------------
THE MAN WHO CAME TO LUNCH

HE is flame-haired Sam Bartram, 22 years a goalkeeper with Charlton Athletic, and now boss of the football set-up at Kenilworth Road.

SHE is bespectacled brunette Miss Maggie Smith. The pair met shortly after his appointment on Wednesday morning as Luton Town’s new team manager.

THE SCENE was the dining room of the George Hotel.

HE said to HER: “Soup, roast lamb, followed by plum tart and custard, please”.

SHE said to HIM: “Would you like anything to drink, sir?”

HE replied: “A glass of light ale please”.

SAM turns to TONY CAMPBELL: “If we can get a good team spirit among the players, and providing the public will come along to cheer on the lads, I think we can get back into the First Division.”

(SAM pays his bill and departs, stage left)

MAGGIE SMITH to TONY CAMPBELL: “I thought he was a very charming man, although I had no idea who he was and had never seen a picture of him before. If he comes in here again I’ll be able to wish him the best of luck in his new job. And perhaps he’ll be able to help me fill in my football pools coupon!”

TONY CAMPBELL to his READERS: In case it is not already clear, Miss Smith is a waitress at The George. Mr Bartram left her “quite a generous tip” as a reminder of his first meal in Luton after being appointed the Town’s new manager.
------------

So there you have it. How handsome Sam captured the heart of at least one female fan on his first day in Luton. It was probably something no Hatters boss managed to repeat until Rob Edwards came along 62 years later!

Perhaps this introduction to creative writing had more influence on Sam than expected – for immediately after leaving the Hatters two seasons later he found work in Fleet Street as a football writer for almost 20 years!

His exit from Luton in 1962 was a grim episode. He let loose his anger in a major Sunday People exclusive, claiming he’d been sacked by directors who wanted a ‘stooge’ or ‘yes-man’ in charge rather than a football expert. It was a messy saga and symptomatic of the long-term slump the club found itself in.

As the Hatters headed for Division Four, Sam settled in Harpenden with wife Helen and began his new full-time career as a reporter and columnist. He made a success of it, but on a summer’s day in 1981 collapsed on his way home from work and died at the age of 67.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• To read ROGER WASH’s in-depth feature on Sam Bartram, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/longer-reads/sam-bartram-right-man-wrong-time

• For Sam Bartram data and pictures, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/directors-and-staff/sam-bartram-p800015

25/09/2026

THE SIXTIES – FULL OF BANANA SKINS!

AFTER a couple of decades without facing non-league opposition in the FA Cup, the 1960s saw Luton tackle EIGHT ties against dangerous ‘minnows’ trying to create a cup giant-killing.

Luton coped pretty well for the most part. Bridgwater were sent packing in 1963, Romford in 1965 (after a replay), Oxford City in 1967 and Ware in 1968. Things went awry, however, in 1965 when Corby embarrassed us in a replay. All this led to the last banana-skin of the sixties – a 1969 confrontation with Hillingdon Borough in the London suburbs.

Tackling butchers, bakers and candle-stick makers – especially in their own humble backyards – is often a stressful business for professional clubs. But for the fans and local press these fun occasions were an insight into how the other half lived, a time to enjoy some surreal comedy moments!

Retired journalist Geoff Cox (he of Luton News fame) regaled me this week with his memories of the Hillingdon debacle of December 1969. Geoff was on duty that day for the Green Un, a popular sports paper published by Home Counties Newspapers. Thanks to a military-style operation by Luton News staff it appeared on the streets within minutes of the final whistle every Saturday evening. Its big selling point was detailed, kick-by-kick reports of Luton’s game that day.

Fans who hadn't attended, who may not even have known the score in those pre-internet days, would queue outside newsagents waiting excitedly for the van to drop off bundles of Green Uns. The lengthy match report would be the work of Sports editor Eric Pugh (‘Chiltern’) and assistant Eric Norris, who dictated chunks at regular intervals over the phone to the office in Luton during the game.

However, a problem arose at Hillingdon as not only did their little ground have no Press Box, it didn’t have any phones! The only option was to find a local resident willing to allow their domestic phone to be commandeered for a couple of hours. Luckily, a house opposite the main stand was occupied by someone happy to oblige.

Geoff explained the plan to me: “I had recently joined the Luton News as a trainee reporter and knowing I was a Luton fan, Eric Pugh asked if I’d go with him and the other Eric to help out. Pugh sat in the stand with a portable typewriter balanced on his knees, then handed me his frequent reports so I could head back and forth through a packed terrace, out of the ground to the commandeered house. I would hand the copy to Eric Norris, who was sitting on the stairs next to the phone in the hallway with an open line back to our Luton office.

“The stadium gateman was aware of this arrangement and it worked well throughout the first-half as I made half-a-dozen trips back and forth. But the club changed the gateman at half-time and the old one didn't tell the new one about the plan!

“When I tried to return inside after delivering an early second-half update, he refused to let me back in. I was still serving my six months’ probation and didn't have a Press card as proof of ID. After much argument and gentle persuasion he eventually relented.

“It was thirsty work and afterwards sports editor Eric Pugh, not the most joyful of colleagues, who rarely socialised with the rest of us, suggested we three should pop into the Hillingdon social club. I was filled with dread thinking he’d ask me, on my measly junior reporter's wage, to buy a round. Instead he put his hand in his pocket and bought me a bottle of light ale. He must have been pleased with my efforts that afternoon, so I didn't have the heart to tell him I was only 17 and shouldn't have been drinking alcohol!”

The history books show Luton lost the game 2-1 despite Alec Stock fielding a star-studded side featuring French, Macdonald, Nicholl and Keen. Tees rose high to head Town ahead early doors from a French free-kick, but the expected landslide failed to follow. Either side of half-time former Town forward Mick Fairchild laid on Borough goals by Reeve and sub Townend. Much huffing and puffing followed but no further scoring. David had slain Goliath leaving his noisy followers red-faced and sullen.

• Story by ROB HADGRAFT

• For more on Hillingdon Borough v Luton in 1969, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/matches/hillingdon-borough-vs-luton-town-fc-6-dec-1969

• For more on Hillingdon’s hero, the former Hatter Mick Fairchild, click this link: https://hattersheritage.co.uk/players/mick-fairchild-p672

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