Luton - A Win At Last - Vital Luton Town

Yesterday, as tea-time approached, I settled down to watch the latest edition of The Big Match Revisited, on ITV 4, and what a treat it was.

Earlier in the day, I had advised you to tune in – on-the-tv-again – and I hope you took my advice; it really was a treat.

Not only did the Hatters earn their first win but there were so many great memories.

With Newcastle being the opposition, the game saw the first return of the legend that is Malcolm MacDonald, to Kenilworth Road, since he had moved to the north-east, although the striker has a game to forget as he was left to feed on scraps rather than quality service.

With Harry Haslam in charge, looking to close the game between his side and the clubs above them at the bottom of the table, the gaffer chose the following side:

Horn, Ryan (John), Futcher (Paul), Faulkner, Buckley, Anderson, West, Husband, Ryan (Jim), Futcher (Ron) and Aston with Spiring as the substitute.

This time around, as far as the programme is concerned, the Hatters were given top billing with LWT, a opposed to Anglia, providing the highlights, with the wonderful Brian Moore leading the commentary.

The Hatters won the game courtesy of a striker from Ron Futcher, early in the second half and could have extended their lead if Liam McFaul in the Newcastle goal had not been in such good form.

But Luton had to ride a wave of Newcastle pressure and Graham Horn had to produce some heroic moments including one when he dived bravely in to grab a loose ball and received a boot in the face from Steve Buckley, resulting in Horn receiving, after the game, seven stitches to his nose.

The pitch was heavily sanded, as was often the case back in those days and the home support, including the late Eric Morecambe, cheering their side on.

But what struck me most was the fact that Harry Haslam put his faith in the young Futcher twins, both just 18-years-of-age, would that happen these days?

Naturally, I tried to spot myself in the crowd, but I guess everyone of my age, mid-teens at the time, wore one of those, at the time, fashionable green parka coat with the red lining.

Those were the days!

COYH’s