News has emerged that a former servant of our club has been diagnosed with the debilitating illness, dementia.
It has been confirmed by The Telegraph that Joe Kinnear, who managed the Hatters between 2001 and 2003, has been diagnosed with the illness.
It is an illness that is very close to my own heart as 3 years ago I lost my mother, after a long battle, to it.
It was heart breaking to see a fit and healthy woman slip away from us and not being able to recognise us or remember us as the disease took hold.
Returning to Joe, he joined the Hatters in January 2001, after leaving Oxford United.
Initially, he was appointed as our Director of Football, but with the Hatters battling against relegation, he took the decision to demote Lil Fuccillo from the managerial post and installed himself in the role.
Despite bringing in Steve Howard on transfer deadline day, the Hatters did slip through the relegation trap door and into the old Division Three.
The summer of 2001 saw Kinnear make wholesale changes to the squad, releasing the majority of the squad and bringing in his own men, with the likes of Kevin Nicholls and Chris Coyne joining the club.
The changes worked wonders with Luton finishing second in the table, earning promotion back to Division Two.
The revamped squad finished 9th in Division Two the following year and Kinnear’s spell at Kenilworth Road came to a controversial end when the club was sold to a consortium who then proceeded to sack Joe.
Difficult times lie ahead for Joe and his family, but I am sure you will join me in wishing him all the best as he fights this awful illness.
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Best wishes to Joe an his family.
Hi all, gutting news. Posted this on here last nite ( luton 3 Swansea 3 article)…meet Joe a few times, a gent and a colourful character….Best wishes to him and his family….