Last week, with the news feed being slower than anticipated, I ran an article relating to the many goalkeepers that Luton have, down the years, had.
The article – luton-best-ever-between-the-posts – asked you to nominate, as the title suggested, the keeper you believe is the best the Hatters have ever had.
One name that featured heavily was Milija Aleksic.
On the back of the above I thought I would do a little feature on the keeper.
Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Aleksic of Yugoslavian descent, Milija’s professional career began in 1968 when he signed for Port Vale.
However, it is fair to say that Aleksic was not an instant success playing for non-league Eastwood and Stafford Rangers before moving to Plymouth Argyle in 1973.
While on the books of the Pilgrims, Aleksic only made 32 league appearances and was loaned out to both Ipswich Town and Oxford United.
But in November 1976, Harry Haslam signed the keeper, and his career was on an upward curve.
Aleksic, or Elastic as he was referred to by the Luton Town support, remained at Kenilworth Road for three seasons, endearing himself to the support with some fine displays.
However, in December 1978 one of the big boys of the top-flight of English football offered Luton £100,000 for the player and Luton accepted, Aleksic had made 77 league appearances for the Hatters during his stay.
After signing for Tottenham, it was expected that the keeper would go on to become a household name, but he was to go on and only make 25 league appearances for the North London giants, courtesy of fierce competition for the green jersey from Barry Daines, Mark Kendall and, latterly, Ray Clemence.
Matters were also not helped when he had to spend a period on the side lines after breaking his jaw in a collision with the Manchester United striker, Joe Jordan.
But it was at Tottenham that Aleksic earned his first medal, playing for the Tottenham team that beat Manchester City in the 1980/1981 FA Cup Final with Aleksic playing in the final and the replay.
While at Tottenham he was also credited with making the save of the 1979/1980 season, as can be seen below:
In 1982, Milija returned to Kenilworth Road making 4 league appearances before dropping down into non-league football with Barnet while in his latter years, after emigrating to South Africa, he also played for Wilts University and Durban City.
Sadly, Milija passed away on 17-October-2012 aged just 61.
A fine goalkeeper who, in my view, never progressed as far as he should have in the game.
COYH’s
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I remember Aleksic well …. He was a cult hero for the Oak Road Enders. Luton had a tradition of good keepers in those days & Milija continued that tradition. His mistake was choosing Spurs at that time. But who was going to turn down a London glamour club? He was certainly good enough for the first division … but Spurs were THE glamour club at the time & the spotlight shone on them fiercely. Aleksic needed a less glamorous club away from the harsh glare of the London media … and less competition for a place in the team. A lovely guy who always had time for the fans & a spectacular & very good keeper.