Luton – The Legends Series – Bob Morton

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 and Les Sealey

The latest ex-Hatter to be granted status in our legends hall of fame is Bob Morton, as nominated by Tony Byfield.

Unfortunately, once again, we’re in the realms of time whereby I’m having to try and do justice to a player I never actually got to see playing courtesy of being too young.

However, delving into the history books, I have to admit that I should have covered the Luton Town career of Bob Morton, a lot earlier, after all the statistics speak for themselves.

Bob holds the record as the player who has made the most appearances for the Hatters, 495 in the league and a staggering 550 in total, is that a record that could ever be beaten?

A one club man, Bob came to the attention of Luton Town after playing for the local side, Waterlows (trivia point – my late mother used to wash their kit when she worked in a launderette). Luton’s interest was confirmed when Bob signed amateur forms for the Hatters in 1945 and with the war having ended, he signed a professional contract in 1946.

A versatile player, Rob’s debut came on 30-October-1948 when, playing as a centre forward, he was part of the Luton team that beat West Ham United 1-0.

But Bob was never going to be solely a centre forward, he was to prove very efficient as a wing back and there is an argument as to which was his best position, many believed that playing in both positions seriously affected his chances of becoming an England international, although perhaps it should be added that international selections were far and few between for players performing in our neck of the woods.

Playing as a forward, Bob scored 48 league goals, for the Hatters, in his 20-year spell at Kenilworth Road.

Bob’s time as a Hatter came to an end in 1964 when, at the age of 38, he left and joined nearby Bletchley Town as their player manager.

Sadly, Bob passed away, aged 74, on 06-May-2002, while living in Edlesborough, a town he had made his home.

Bob Morton – Mini Fact File

Name – Robert Hendry Morton

Date of Birth – 25-September-1927

Place of Birth – Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, England

Position – Wing Half

Youth Career – Waterlows, Luton Town

Playing Career – Luton Town

Managerial Career – Bletchley Town

If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Bob Morton, 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 Wally Shanks as suggested by Geoff Averill.

COYH’s

Previous article by Mad Hatter

Luton – The Legends Series – Les Sealey