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 Billy McDerment
Before I start my brief synopsis of the career of Harry Walden, as suggested by Trevor Powell, I thought I’d share a comment I received relating to a piece, in this series, relating to Bob Morton, from his widow, June:
“Thank you for your lovely comments on Bob. It is so nice he is still so fondly remembered.
June Morton (Bob’s widow)”
It is little things like that that keeps my interest in continuing to be the editor of this site so high.
However, now it is the time to focus on Harry Walden.
Walden was on the books of Luton Town Football Club from 1961 until 1964, making 116 appearances for the Hatters in all competitions.
Signed from Kettering Town, Walden was a tricky winger, blessed with pace, after joining Luton Town he was immediately thrust into first team action. Unfortunately, an elbow injury curtailed his first season with the club.
Thankfully, Harry’s injury had cleared up by the start of the following season, 1961/1962, with the winger soon showing his initial burst of form, after joining, was no fluke.
Sadly, a further injury, suffered during the 1962/1963 season, in March, saw the Hatters miss the influential winger and Luton Town were relegated to Division Three.
In 1964, the Hatters hierarchy made the decision to let Walden leave, opting to partake in an exchange deal that saw Walden join Northampton Town with Billy Hails and a fee of £3000 coming the other way.
Walden enjoyed a decent spell with Northampton Town, helping the Cobblers to get promoted to the top-flight of English football.
His career finished with another spell with Kettering Town before retiring from football.
Sadly, Harry passed away, aged 77, on 23-September-2018.
Harry Walden – Mini Fact File
Name – Harold Bertram Walden
Date of Birth – 22-December-1940
Place of Birth – Walgrave, England
Position – Midfielder
Playing Career – Kettering Town, Luton Town, Northampton Town, Kettering Town
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Harry Walden, 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 Billy McDerment as suggested by Chris Winter.
COYH’s
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