For the latest in our ongoing series covering those who have achieved legendary status among the support, we feature another former Luton figure who became a fans favourite.
Following on from those already covered – John Moore, David Preece, Mal Donaghy, Brian Lewis, Bruce Rioch, Fred Jardine, Brian Horton, Kevin Nicholls, Tony Read, Steve Foster, Mike Keen, Ian Buxton, Lars Elstrup, Peter Anderson, Graham French, Alan West, David Moss, Terry Branston, John Aston, Paul Futcher, John Ryan, Syd Owen, Marvin Johnson, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Hatton, Steve Buckley,Chris Coyne, Ron Baynham, John Still, Jack Bannister, Ricky Hill, Chris Nicholl, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Don Givens, Gordon Turner, Brian Stein, Jesse Pye, Raddy Antic, Joe Payne and Max Dougan
In the latest of our ongoing legends series, we’re taking a look at the career of Alan Slough, as suggested by Joe Fountain.
Alan, like myself, was a Lutonian, born on 24 September 1947.
He signed for Luton Town in 1965 and went on to make 275 league appearances for the club before his talents alerted Fulham and he moved to West London in 1973.
Alan stayed at Craven Cottage until 1977 before joining Peterborough United, where he remained until 1981 before a return to London beckoned with Millwall.
The classy midfielder ended his career in non-League football with Weymouth.
Alan first came to my attention when I first began to attend Luton matches, at Kenilworth Road, with my dad in the 1967/1968 season, the season in which Allan Brown guided the side to the Division Four title.
As an impressionable six-year-old, I instantly began to realise that some of those that performed on the Kenilworth Road pitch were to become my early heroes.
In that first season I attended Kenilworth Road, Bruce Rioch instantly became my hero, a powerful midfielder with a penchant for pushing forward and scoring some spectacular goals.
But journeying home, to Limbury Mead, on the bus, my dad and I used to discuss the game and while I enthused about Rioch, my dad urged me to watch what he called an unsung hero, Alan Slough.
Over the following seasons, I could see what my dad was on about, Slough was the cog in the Luton midfield that made the side tick, keeping things simple, winning the ball, making the pass, and getting the team moving forward.
In those years, it is fair to say he became one of my favourite players and when it was announced he was moving on to pastures new, I was gutted.
Alan was one of a rare breed, born in this town of ours and going on to make a name for himself at not only our club but also others.
Sadly, Alan passed away on 22-March-2021, aged 73 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Alan Slough – Mini Fact File
Name – Alan Peter Slough
Date of Birth – 24-September-1947
Place of Birth – Luton, England
Position – Midfielder
Playing Career – Luton Town, Fulham, Peterborough United, Millwall, Weymouth
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Alan Slough, please feel free to do so in the comment facility beneath this article.
If you can think of anyone who deserves nominating for coverage in this ongoing series, please drop their name into the comment facility beneath this article.
My thanks go to those who have already nominated faces from the past, they will all be covered, in time.
Next up in the series will be – Ray Whittaker as suggested by Philip Carter.
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
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I remember Alan and one other Luton player who I can’t recall coming to my secondary school, Mill Vale in Dunstable to coach us in the early 70’s and giving me praise, he definitely was an unsung hero.
alan slough reminded me of nakamba, the way he ran the midfield. very tough player when needed. also had some greats of luton in the team. what a year winning the old 4th division was.happy days.COYH.
Alan was a former school friend of mine and I played alongside him in school football and cricket teams . A lovely bloke who was best man at my wedding . A lovely bloke and I was proud to call him a friend .
Thank you for this lovely tribute to my husband. My family and I miss him dreadfully but it means a lot to us all to read well deserved comments about Alan. He will always be remembered as a totally committed talented player who gave 100% to the game. Thank you Anne Slough.
It was my pleasure Anne, he was a wonderful footballer and a gentleman to boot, one of a rare breed.
An excellent midfield and a model professional footballer – great role model for young footballers – he also coached Dynamos BC who I played for around the late 60’s – some aspects of his coaching still remember today !!