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, Steve Foster, Mike Keen, Ian Buxton, Lars Elstrup, Peter Anderson, Graham French, Alan West, David Moss, Terry Branston, John Aston, Paul Futcher and John Ryan, Syd Owen, Marvin Johnson, Malcolm MacDonald and Bob Hatton
The latest subject of our series is Steve Buckley as suggested by Ben Grilli.
Steve Buckley first came to my attention as I entered my teenage years.
By now I’d started to realise that there was more to the game than strikers who scored goals by the hatful and those that played elsewhere in the side were valued commodities.
Steve arrived at Kenilworth Road, in 1974 from Burton Albion, signed by Harry Haslam, a swashbuckling full-back whose game was not just about defending but also using his strength, pace and ability to get forward, down the flank and playing his part in instigating attacks.
One thing that impressed me was his physique, muscular and solid are two words that instantly spring to mind, not many opposition wingers got the better of our Steve.
Unfortunately, Steve’s abilities were always going to attract interest from elsewhere and, sadly, Derby County were to end Steve’s Luton career when, in 1978, the Hatters accepted a bid of £165,000.
His career at Luton Town had spanned 123 league appearances during which time he scored on 9 occasions, but during his time with us he had done enough for many to label him as one of the best left backs Luton Town had ever had.
While at the Baseball Ground, Steve’s career continued to prosper with the full back going on to make 323 league appearances and going down into Derby County folklore by winning player-of-the-season award on two separate occasions.
One of the mysteries surrounding his career is how, when he was in his prime, he never won an international cap, he was certainly deserving of one.
Steve didn’t score many goals for the Hatters but here’s a montage of him hitting the net in a fantastic game against Charlton Athletic, courtesy of LUTON VIDS
Steve Buckley – Mini Fact File
Name – Steven Buckley
Date of Birth – 16-October-1953
Place of Birth – Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England
Position – Defender
Youth Career – Nottingham Forest
Career – Borrowash Victoria, Burton Albion, Luton Town, Derby County, Lincoln City, Boston United
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Steve Buckley, 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 – Chris Coyne suggested by Dave Howard
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – All For One And One For All
One of, if not the best left backs l have ever seen playing for Luton. Fearless, 100% commitment and a shot like a missile.
Can’t argue with that, a monster of a player!