Post by QPR Report on Apr 15, 2009 8:22:19 GMT
From The Times The top 50 Luton Town players
Some connected with QPR:
BUT they leave out Don Givens and Roy Wegerle (and also Don Shanks, (Juergen Sommer) and maybe somebody else I've forgotten
Complete Times List at www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6093795.ece?print=yes&randnum=1239783426307
Those With QPR Connection
45. Tony Thorpe
1993-1998, 1999, 2000, 2002-2003, 193 appearances, 77 goals
Never can a player have divided Luton's fans more than Thorpey. His Luton career took off when he was converted from midfielder to striker by Lennie Lawrence in 1996-97 and he bagged 31 to win the divisional golden boot as Luton just missed out on promotion from the old Division Two. It was the first time that a Hatter had scored 30 in a season since Malcolm Macdonald in 1971 and inevitably Thorpe was sold for big money. However, he came back for two loans spells before re-signing permanently. He subsequently moved to QPR during Luton's administration of 2003 in circumstances that prompted argument between the two clubs and vitriol from sections of the fans that remains undiluted to this day. Incredibly, Thorpe, now 34, was on the verge of signing for the club for a fifth time at the start of this season before deciding to go non-league instead. How his return would have played with the radical wing in the crowd we can only imagine.
42. John O'Rourke
1963-1966, 90 appearances, 66 goals
The 18-year-old Chelsea youth player arrived reluctantly on a free transfer at Division Three Luton in 1963 as they seemed set for a successive relegation. Making his debut on Christmas Eve, O’Rourke proved the perfect present, scoring 22 goals in 23 games to keep the Hatters up. That was only putting off the inevitable and when O’Rourke was injured, Luton went down despite him returning to finish with ten goals in 21 games. The following season his 32 in 40 almost got them back up before Middlesbrough came in with a cheque and the youngster went off to bigger and better things
37. Paul Walsh
1982-1984, 89 appearances, 24 goals
Newly promoted Luton were happy to pay Charlton £250,000 plus Steve White in 1982 for the free-scoring 19-year-old , who was soon electrifying Kenilworth Road with his mazy dribbles, close control and prowess in front of goal. In two seasons he bagged 24 goals, and a couple of England caps, before Liverpool tempted Luton to part with him for £700,000, Moved on to Spurs, Portsmouth and Manchester City before retiring to a life of punditry on Sky.
31. Tim Breacker
1984-1990, 262 appearances, 3 goals
The apprentice became a ready-made replacement when Kirk Stephens moved to Coventry in 1984, and was almost an ever-present at right-back over the next six seasons. Breacker's surging runs and crosses produced countless goals, and while he didn't score too many himself, his 30-yard free-kick past a bemused Peter Shilton as Luton avoided relegation on the last day of the season (again) in 1990 lives in the memory. Financial worries (again) meant he was sold to West Ham for £600,000 the following season.
29. Mike Keen
1969-1972, 160 appearances, 11 goals
Having already been involved in two promotions and a League Cup win at QPR, Mike Keen followed his old boss Alec Stock to Kenilworth Road in 1968-69. The following year he assumed the captaincy and his pinpoint passing from the centre of midfield enabled Malcolm Macdonald to score 28 goals in another promotion side. He never seemed to be going very fast, but his ability to win the ball and use it well more than compensated. Eventually moved to the old enemy Watford as player-manager. Sadly died this week aged 69 after a short illness.
Throw in:
28. Bruce Rioch.
1964-1969, 167 appearances, 52 goals
"Sir Alf, Sir Alf, come watch this Rioch boy" was the song from the terraces in 1968, with Rioch's pace and shooting bringing him 24 goals from midfield in the promotion side. Ten more followed as the Hatters nearly made it successive promotions but then Aston Villa handed over a record transfer fee of £100,000 for the 21-year-old. And when the international call finally arrived it was from Scotland, the land of his father.
4. Mick Harford
1984-1990, 1991, 212 appearances, 92 goals
Powerful in the air, a superb touch on the ground and combative in the challenge, Harford arrived at Kenilworth in 1984 as a vital part of David Pleat’s team rebuilding. Already a seasoned pro, and one whom few defenders relished facing, Harford seemed to take his game to new heights at Luton. Despite long spells out through injury, he forged a wonderful strike partnership with Brian Stein, culminating in two England caps and a Littlewoods Cup medal, before moving to Derby. Already regarded as one of Luton’s finest players, Harford endeared himself even more to the Luton faithful by embarrassingly scoring an own goal in a Derby shirt against Luton that helped them to avoid a last-day relegation. He returned to lead the scoring for one more season as Luton finally slid out of the old First Division. After spells at Kenilworth Road as director of football and first-team coach, Super Mick is now the manager and strived desperately to keep the Hatters in the League despite the swingeing 30-point penalty imposed on the club at the start of this season.
Some connected with QPR:
BUT they leave out Don Givens and Roy Wegerle (and also Don Shanks, (Juergen Sommer) and maybe somebody else I've forgotten
Complete Times List at www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6093795.ece?print=yes&randnum=1239783426307
Those With QPR Connection
45. Tony Thorpe
1993-1998, 1999, 2000, 2002-2003, 193 appearances, 77 goals
Never can a player have divided Luton's fans more than Thorpey. His Luton career took off when he was converted from midfielder to striker by Lennie Lawrence in 1996-97 and he bagged 31 to win the divisional golden boot as Luton just missed out on promotion from the old Division Two. It was the first time that a Hatter had scored 30 in a season since Malcolm Macdonald in 1971 and inevitably Thorpe was sold for big money. However, he came back for two loans spells before re-signing permanently. He subsequently moved to QPR during Luton's administration of 2003 in circumstances that prompted argument between the two clubs and vitriol from sections of the fans that remains undiluted to this day. Incredibly, Thorpe, now 34, was on the verge of signing for the club for a fifth time at the start of this season before deciding to go non-league instead. How his return would have played with the radical wing in the crowd we can only imagine.
42. John O'Rourke
1963-1966, 90 appearances, 66 goals
The 18-year-old Chelsea youth player arrived reluctantly on a free transfer at Division Three Luton in 1963 as they seemed set for a successive relegation. Making his debut on Christmas Eve, O’Rourke proved the perfect present, scoring 22 goals in 23 games to keep the Hatters up. That was only putting off the inevitable and when O’Rourke was injured, Luton went down despite him returning to finish with ten goals in 21 games. The following season his 32 in 40 almost got them back up before Middlesbrough came in with a cheque and the youngster went off to bigger and better things
37. Paul Walsh
1982-1984, 89 appearances, 24 goals
Newly promoted Luton were happy to pay Charlton £250,000 plus Steve White in 1982 for the free-scoring 19-year-old , who was soon electrifying Kenilworth Road with his mazy dribbles, close control and prowess in front of goal. In two seasons he bagged 24 goals, and a couple of England caps, before Liverpool tempted Luton to part with him for £700,000, Moved on to Spurs, Portsmouth and Manchester City before retiring to a life of punditry on Sky.
31. Tim Breacker
1984-1990, 262 appearances, 3 goals
The apprentice became a ready-made replacement when Kirk Stephens moved to Coventry in 1984, and was almost an ever-present at right-back over the next six seasons. Breacker's surging runs and crosses produced countless goals, and while he didn't score too many himself, his 30-yard free-kick past a bemused Peter Shilton as Luton avoided relegation on the last day of the season (again) in 1990 lives in the memory. Financial worries (again) meant he was sold to West Ham for £600,000 the following season.
29. Mike Keen
1969-1972, 160 appearances, 11 goals
Having already been involved in two promotions and a League Cup win at QPR, Mike Keen followed his old boss Alec Stock to Kenilworth Road in 1968-69. The following year he assumed the captaincy and his pinpoint passing from the centre of midfield enabled Malcolm Macdonald to score 28 goals in another promotion side. He never seemed to be going very fast, but his ability to win the ball and use it well more than compensated. Eventually moved to the old enemy Watford as player-manager. Sadly died this week aged 69 after a short illness.
Throw in:
28. Bruce Rioch.
1964-1969, 167 appearances, 52 goals
"Sir Alf, Sir Alf, come watch this Rioch boy" was the song from the terraces in 1968, with Rioch's pace and shooting bringing him 24 goals from midfield in the promotion side. Ten more followed as the Hatters nearly made it successive promotions but then Aston Villa handed over a record transfer fee of £100,000 for the 21-year-old. And when the international call finally arrived it was from Scotland, the land of his father.
4. Mick Harford
1984-1990, 1991, 212 appearances, 92 goals
Powerful in the air, a superb touch on the ground and combative in the challenge, Harford arrived at Kenilworth in 1984 as a vital part of David Pleat’s team rebuilding. Already a seasoned pro, and one whom few defenders relished facing, Harford seemed to take his game to new heights at Luton. Despite long spells out through injury, he forged a wonderful strike partnership with Brian Stein, culminating in two England caps and a Littlewoods Cup medal, before moving to Derby. Already regarded as one of Luton’s finest players, Harford endeared himself even more to the Luton faithful by embarrassingly scoring an own goal in a Derby shirt against Luton that helped them to avoid a last-day relegation. He returned to lead the scoring for one more season as Luton finally slid out of the old First Division. After spells at Kenilworth Road as director of football and first-team coach, Super Mick is now the manager and strived desperately to keep the Hatters in the League despite the swingeing 30-point penalty imposed on the club at the start of this season.