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 and Wally Shanks, Gordon Riddick, Billy Bingham and Herbert Moody, Adrian Alston, Reg Pearce, Keith Allen and Jimmy Ryan
The latest ex-Hatter to be granted status in our legends hall of fame is George Cummins as nominated by Victor Crisp.
Once again, I’m delving into an era whereby, I’m relying on research data rather than personal memories, with George’s Luton Town career taking place before I was born.
But in covering a player from a different era, it does give me pleasure to learn a few facts about a player who was merely a name planted in my memory by my late father..
George played for the Hatters from 1953 until 1961 making a total of 209 appearances, in total, scoring 30 goals.
His career started in his native Ireland, with St Patrick’s Athletic.
His silky skills were soon noted, and several English clubs were after his services, but it was Everton that were to be the club he chose to join.
Unfortunately, his career somewhat stalled at Goodison Park with George making just 24 appearances for the Toffee’s in 3 years, mainly due to the Merseyside club having an excessive number of professionals on their books.
His spell at Kenilworth Road was far more productive, with George delighting the support with his skills and was, to all accounts, one of our best players during his era at the club.
His time with Luton culminated in an FA Cup Final appearance as the Hatters hopes of lifting the FA Cup were ended by Nottingham Forest, at Wembley.
George was also, during his time with Luton, rewarded with several Republic of Ireland caps, in all a total of 19 caps that saw him score 5 goals.
After tethering his ties with Luton Town, in 1961, George went on to play for Cambridge City and Hull City.
Sadly, while living in Southport, George passed away on 29-November-2009 aged 78.
George Cummins – Mini Fact File
Name – George Patrick Cummins
Date of Birth – 12-March-1931
Place of Birth – Dublin, Ireland
Position – Inside Forward
Playing Career – Everton, Luton Town, Cambridge City, Hull City,
International Career – Republic of Ireland
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of George Cummins, 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 Rodney Fern as suggested by Con Hope.
COYH’s
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Luton Town – Looking Towards A Clash With Forest In Robin Hood Territory
Another of the legendary 59 Cup Final team.
George Cummins was a frail looking No 10 with incicive passing skills, but if he was heavily marked he was ineffective.
Made no end of goals for others in the team with his vision and positional play.
I remember George stepping up to take a free kick against Man Utd at Kenilworth Rd – 1960 probably – two three yards outside the penalty area. I groaned thinking he wasn’t the right player to be taking the kick. He stroked the ball beautifully into the back of the net. Unfortunately, we still lost 3-2 against a United team full of stars, of course.