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, Max Dougan, Alan Slough, Ray Whittaker, Dave Pacey, Milija Aleksic, Ron Davies, Sandy Davie John O’Rourke, Les Sealey, Bob Morton, Wally Shanks, Gordon Riddick, Billy Bingham, Herbert Moody, Adrian Alston, Reg Pearce, Keith Allen, Jimmy Ryan, George Cummins, Rodney Fern, Harry Walden, Billy McDerment and Scott Oakes
For the latest in our ongoing and, hopefully, comprehensive series, we’re going to take a brief look at the career of Bert Mitchell, as nominated by David Davies.
Once again, I’m having to delve into the archives for information with Bert’s career spanning a period before I was born, hopefully I can do the man justice.
Bert Mitchell was on the books of Luton Town from 1951-1954 with the player making 106 league appearances.
During those 106 appearances Mitchell scored a staggering 41 goals, an extraordinary goals per game ratio for a winger.
Bert’s career started with his local side Burslem Albion before Stoke City took a chance on his skills.
But Mitchell only made a smattering of appearances before leaving to join Blackburn Rovers, spells at Kettering and Northampton Town followed, with his spell with the Cobblers proving to be the most successful where he made 81 appearances.
Attracted by his exquisite skills, the Hatters enticed Northampton Town to part with his services in a deal that saw a large sum of cash exchange hands and also with Jim Wilson moving in the other direction.
Although a winger, Bert had a very successful trait whereby he dipped his shoulders one way and stepped inside a dumfounded full-back to unleash a shot, scoring on many an occasion.
His shooting also saw him nominated as the Hatters penalty taker and the records show that while fulilling that role, he never missed, for the Hatters, from the spot.
After three years with the Hatters, Bert was once again on the move, his final career move, joining Middlesbrough.
Sadly, Bert passed away in 1997.
Bert Mitchell – Mini Fact File
Name – Albert James Mitchell
Date of Birth – 22-January-1922
Place of Birth – Stoke-On-Trent, England
Position – Winger
Playing Career – Burslem Albion, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Kettering Town, Northampton Town, Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Southport, Wellington Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Stafford Rangers
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Bert Mitchell, 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 Kingsley Black as suggested by Mad Hatter.
COYH’s
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Luton Town – The Sanitisation Of The Working Class Game
