For the latest in our ongoing series covering those who have achieved legendary status among the support, we feature another former player 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 and Steve Foster
The latest Hatter to be featured is Mike Keen, as suggested by Chris Winter.
Keen signed for Luton Town in 1969 after playing for Queens Park Rangers, where he made his name, for over a decade.
While at Loftus Road, Keen made a colossal 393 league games and scoring 39 goals for the West London club.
Keen was only to remain at Kenilworth Road until 1972, but the cultured midfielder brought something different to a Luton Town team that were rising through the divisions.
Although, when it comes to physique, he wasn’t the bulkiest of players, he didn’t shirk challenges and had the ability to push Luton forward with some pinpoint passing.
The side, managed by Alec Sock, also benefitted from his natural leadership abilities and the Hatters finished second in the Division 3 table, behind Orient, to secure promotion.
However, after 144 league appearances, Keen was to move on joining Watford, a club he was also, later in his career, to manage.
During his time at Kenilworth Road, Keen scored 11 league goals, can anyone recall any of them?
Sadly, Mike Keen passed away, after a short illness, in April 2009 aged 69.
Mike Keen – Mini Fact File
Name – Michael Thomas Keen
Date of Birth – 19-March-1940
Place of Birth – High Wycombe, England
Position – Midfielder
Career – Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town, Watford
Managerial Career – Watford, Northampton Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Marlow
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Mike Keen, 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 – Ian Buxton suggested by Philip Carter
COYH’s
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Luton Slip Down Tight Championship Table After Tuesday Night Results
I suggest Lars Elstrup for you Legends series. Now that should be entertaining!
Added to the list
Thank you. Lars’ Wikipedia entry etc make for interesting reading.
From memory I think most of his goals came at corners from headers.
What about Graham French.
Does anyone know where he is now?
Was just looking through some memorabilia at my grans house and after googling my gramps name came across this thread. Love it!
Thanks, please feel free to visit our site regularly
Can I suggest my all time favourite Luton player Malcom McDonald ?
Added to the list
Mike Keen had a sports shop in High Wycombe in the early ’80s and I often delivered parcels to him. I asked him how things were with him away from football and he asked if I was a QPR supporter. When I said Luton his mood changed. I do recall him getting a bit of stick from certain sections of the crowd. I think he was a bit of a “Marmite” player but I liked him. Didn’t know he had passed RIP.
Fair to say the best part of his career was with QPR, but I thought he galvanised our club when he was playing, but, sadly, you can’t please everyone.
Scored the only and winning goal for Luton at Watford in December 1970. “Legend” 👍
Nice One Remeber Keen as a cultured midfielder under Stock. Other suggestions for this series: Alan West , Peter Anderson, Matt Tees Bob Hatton Marvin Johnson and Bob Hatton , Regards, Alan R
i’ll add them to the list
You can’t feature Mike keen without mentioning his playing mate John Collins. I’m not sure that in line with your feature on Keen that with him or Collins were the 2 most loved players that era ,but both worth a mention. How about winger Mike Harrison and our own Best , Graham French
There are two short videos on YouTube of both halves of the game I mentioned. Search for Watford 0 Luton 1 1970 first half. Proper football!
tanks for the info, I’ll take a look