Luton - The Kirk Stephens Story

On the back of our successful article relating to goalkeepers who have played for Luton Town, it made perfect sense to cover other positions.

The next position, on my list was covered by the following article – best-ever-full-back – and once again the response was fantastic with the readership nominating such illustrious names as:

• John Ryan
• Steve Buckley
• Kirk Stephens
• Graham Alexander
• Jack Bannister
• Tim Breaker
• Mitchell Thomas

Others that were nominated included players that were playing for Luton before I was even born:

• Seamus Dunne
• Bud Aherne
• Brendan McNally

While someone else reminded us that the legend that is Malcolm MacDonald arrived at Kenilworth Road as a full back.

However, after much deliberation, I chose to, as a salute to all our full backs, cover the career of Kirk Stephens.

Stephens was born on 27-February-1955 in Coventry, England.

It was with Coventry City that Kirk began his career, on schoolboy terms. But, after four years on the books of the Sky Blues he was shown the door, with Coventry believing he did not quite have what it takes to become a top-flight footballer.

In 1973, Kirk signed on the dotted line for Nuneaton Borough, resuming his career as a non-league player, Nuneaton were managed by a certain David Pleat.

Fast forward to 1978, Pleat was given the opportunity to manage Luton Town and one of his first signing was one Kirk Stephens.

Kirk made his Hatters debut on 19-August-1978, a game in which Luton thrashed Oldham Athletic 6-1.

It was the start of a Luton Town career that saw Kirk make 227 league appearances for the club and scoring on two occasions.

One of his two goals came on Boxing Day 1979, away to Watford, when the full-back scored the winner in an atmospheric local derby.

Sadly, there is no video footage of that monumental moment, but I did find the following on You Tube that celebrates Kirk making history:

My thanks go to whoever put that clip together and I will admit the background music brought a wry smile to my face.

Unfortunately, in 1984, after six years at Kenilworth Road, Kirk was sold and joined his home-town club, Coventry City.

Kirk was to make just 34 appearances for Coventry before his career was cut short by injury.

Spells in non-league football, with Nuneaton Borough and Barnet followed, but the classy full back was never to recover from that injury.

My memories of Kirk relate to the numerous times when he on his side of the pitch, used to push forward adding support to the attack but also providing the defensive cover required to nullify the opposition with some no-holds barred tackling.

I wonder just how much Kirk would be worth, when it comes to a transfer fee, in the modern game?

COYH’s