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 and Billy Bingham
The latest ex-Hatter to be granted status in our legends hall of fame is Herbert Moody as nominated by Steve Smith.
Now, when the name of Herbert Moody was nominated I’ll admit he was a new name for me.
Embarrassingly, I thought someone was winding me up, but upon embarking on a fact-finding mission, I found that was far from the case.
In fact, I found my fact searching experience very educational, uncovering little snippets about a player who, I can confirm, definitely, merits status as a legend.
Let’s hope I do Herbert Moody justice in this brief resume of his career at Luton Town FC.
The first exciting fact I uncovered about Bert, as he was affectionately called, was that he was born in Luton, in 1880, with his scoring prowess, albeit in the Southern League, being enough to see him entrenched in fifth place in the all-time Luton Town top-scorers list:
1 – Gordon Turner – 246
2 – Andy Rennie – 162
3 – Brian Stein – 154
4 – Ernie Simms – 122
5 – Herbert Moody – 104
6 – Steve Howard – 103
7 – David Moss – 94
7 – Jimmy Yardley – 94
9 – Mick Harford – 92
10 – Joe Payne – 87
Born in Luton, Bert went on to have two spells with the Hatters, donning our shirt between 1901 and 1905 and again between 1907 and 1912.
During his first spell with Luton, Bert made 63 league appearances scoring 15 goals and in his second spell in 169 games he managed to score 78 league goals.
In between Bert spent time at Leicester Fosse, where, once again, he was prolific in front of goal, scoring 11 goals in 54 league appearances.
During his second spell at Luton, Bert was the top scorer in 4 out of his 5 seasons with the club, but relegation to the Southern League Division 2, saw Bert move to Millwall where he finished his career retiring at the age of 40.
But Bert’s love for Luton never ended and he moved back to the town to work at the Vauxhall facility, in Kimpton Road.
Sadly, Bert passed away in 1959 aged 79.
Herbert Moody – Mini Fact File
Name – Herbert Moody
Date of Birth – 1880
Place of Birth – Luton, England
Height – 5 feet 9 inches
Position – Forward
Youth Career – Luton Stanley
Playing Career – Luton Town, Leicester Fosse, Luton Town, Millwall
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Herbert Moody, 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 Adrian Alston as suggested by Chris Winter.
COYH’s
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Luton Town – It Is All In A Place Name
I would like to nominate Bert Mitchell and Billy Waugh, whose nick name was The Rabbit.
Thanks in advance.
David Davies.
Thanks for the nominations, added to the list.
John Moody also played for Luton, 1884-1890 (see Hatter Heritage).
John is probably Herbert Moody’s cousin.
In 1891 John lived at 54 Chapel Street while Herbert lived around the corner in Regent Street.
Herbert Moody married Nellie Moody who was the daughter of John’ Moody’s brother George Moody!
At this point Herbert’s cousin George became his father-in-law!
Interesting acts, thanks Steven, a right old awkward family tree.