Luton – The Legends Series – Billy McDerment

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

And Harry Walden

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Will we ever, in the modern game, see the likes of Billy McDerment again?

Billy was a unique footballer, a player that never managed to secure a regular position in the Hatters side but was quite capable of playing in a number of positions without ever letting the side down.

Indeed, the record books show that during his spell with Luton Town he played in every outfield position apart from inside-left.

Born in Paisely, Billy’s career started with a club called Johnstone Burgh before being noticed by Leicester City. But in six-years at Filbert Street, Billy only made 23 league appearances.

In June 1967, the Hatters persuaded the Foxes to part with Billy for what is described in the record books as a substantial fee.

With Allan Brown in charge of the Hatters, playing in a variety of positions, McDerment was an important part of the team that, in my first season of following Luton Town, earned promotion to Division Three from the fourth tier of English football.

He was never the first name on the team sheet, but Allan Brown knew, wherever and whenever he asked him to play, he would do more than a decent job, exactly the same as a certain Paul Madeley used to do for Leeds United.

Billy only remained at Kenilworth Road for two seasons, making 50 appearances in all competitions and only getting on the scoresheet once, but the Kenilworth Road faithful certainly appreciated his contribution during his time with the club.

Ater leaving Luton Town, Billy signed for Notts County but didn’t quite lie up to expectations and a move back to Scotland beckoned with McDerment playing or Greenock Morton (who I can remember Luton playing in a friendly some time during my early years) before spending time at St Mirren.

Sadly, Billy passed away on 13-December-2021, but he will always be remembered by the Hatters faithful.

Billy McDerment – Mini Fact File

Name – William Stirling McDerment

Date of Birth – 05-January-1943

Place of Birth – Paisely, Scotland

Position – Versatile / Utility

Playing Career – Johnstone Burgh, Leicester City, Luton Town, Notts County, Greenock Morton, St Mirren, Beith

If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Billy McDerment, 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 Scott Oakes as suggested by Mad Hatter.

COYH’s

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