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 and Raddy Antic and Joe Payne
In the latest of our ongoing legends series, we’re taking a look at the career of Max Dougan, as suggested by Joe Fountain.
Dougan comes from an era when my path as a Luton Town FC supporter was just beginning, courtesy of my late father taking me to Kenilworth Road, on a regular basis, back in 1967.
At the time, as an impressionable youngster, my focus was on those that scored the goals, spending time in the school playground, emulating their feats.
Little did I know that, in less than eighteen months, I was to be directed towards the other end of the pitch, carving out a schoolboy career between the posts.
Such a move helped me to recognise the work of the defence in front of me, although with some of the lads I played with being bigger than me, I rarely barked orders at them for fear of retributions in the shower, afterwards.
Max Dougan, arrived at Kenilworth Road in 1966, primarily as a centre back but then moving to be a right-back that knew his job and was rarely barked at by the keeper such was his competence.
Surplus to requirements at Leicester City, where his appearances were limited by the fierce competition at Filbert Street, he made only nine appearances in three years, Dougan made his Hatters debut immediately after Luton Town had suffered a humiliating 8-1 defeat at the hands of the bottom club, Lincoln City.
A no nonsense defender Max stiffened up the defence and after moving to right-back the following season, he was an integral part of a Hatters side that stormed to the Fourth Division title, with my father enthusing that it was rare to see any winger get the better of the Scotsman.
Dougan’s time with the Hatters came to an end in 1970, after he’d made 118 league appearances and, in total, 132 games in all competitions.
After leaving the Hatters, Max enjoyed spells with the local non-league clubs Bedford Town and Dunstable Town.
Max Dougan – Mini Fact File
Name – Maxwell Spalding Dougan
Date of Birth – 23-May-1938
Place of Birth – Stoneyburn, Scotland
Position – Defender
Playing Career – Queens Park, Leicester City, Luton Town, Bedford Town, Dunstable Town
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Max Dougan, 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 – Alan Slough as suggested by Joe Fountain and Peter Walker.
COYH’s
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Luton Town – It Could Be Less Than First Anticipated
Rumour has it that Issa kabore of man city has flown out to Slovenia to join the team on a season long loan. He’s a wing back.
just waiting for the official confirmation, and for Marvelous
As I said rumoured but from a strong source.
They think it’s all over it is now he’s in 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
max dougan was a lot like john ryan who followed him at right back. pleasure to see him and john moore marshalling that side of the pitch. great memories. releived that nakamba has signed.COYH
As I said ” nudge nudge boys “
Well done Alan 😁 now we need to hear the kids loan is approved.an that’s the wing back sorted an then another forward.
Hi Chris that would be the ideal. Quite a squad coming together. Rumours are a keeper isn’t far off….
So you are hearing the same.
Elementary dear Chris….lol….
Arrh but will it be Heaton kaminski or someone else lol or both !!!!
Good question….
Has anyone else picked up an unseasonal bug? I feel absolutely crap 🙁
Sorry to hear that mh, get well soon are you going to do a new survey now 2 more players have joined as to who is our best signing so far 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
will do, although I’m limited to four selections by the site mechanics!
Don’t bother it would only go one way with 80% going to nakamba 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
it’d be a good exercise though!
See that Ryan Giles hasn’t gone to Portugal with wolves an is supposed to be closing in on joining Luton.
Next poll could be the winner of the last one, Chong, and the two that have just signed plus Giles when he signs on the dotted line.
Is Duggan a typo?
I am not aware that his name wasn’t actually Dougan.
very much a typo, thanks for pointing it out, now corrected 🙂