Earlier this week, it was announced that Alan Slough had sadly passed away, aged 73.
Saddened by the news, I refrained from penning a quick article to announce the news, instead preferring to wait and write an article deserving of his contribution to Luton Town Football Club.
Alan, like myself, was a Lutonian, born on 24 September 1947.
He signed for Luton Town in 1965 and went on to make 275 league appearances for the club before his talents alerted Fulham and he moved to West London in 1973.
Alan stayed at Craven Cottage until 1977 before joining Peterborough United, where he remained until 1981 before a return to London beckoned with Millwall.
The classy midfielder ended his career in non-League football with Weymouth.
Alan first came to my attention when I first began to attend Luton matches, at Kenilworth Road, with my dad in the 1967/1968 season, the season in which Allan Brown guided the side to the Division Four title.
As an impressionable 6-year-old, I instantly began to realise that some of those that performed on the Kenilworth Road were to become my early heroes.
In that first season I attended Kenilworth Road, Bruce Rioch instantly became my hero, a powerful midfielder with a penchant for pushing forward and scoring some spectacular goals.
But journeying home, to Limbury Mead, on the bus, my dad and I used to discuss the game and while I enthused about Rioch, my dad urged me to watch what he called an unsung hero, Alan Slough.
Over the following seasons, I could see what my dad was on about, Slough was the cog in the Luton midfield that made the side tick, keeping things simple, winning the ball, making the pass, and getting the team moving forward.
In those years, it is fair to say he became one of my favourite players and when it was announced he was moving on to pastures new, I was gutted.
Alan was one of a rare breed, born in this town of ours and going on to make a name for himself at not only our club but also others.
His passing is a sad event and all I can say is thanks for all those pleasurable moments you gave us Alan now is the time to RIP.
COYH’s
Derby County v Luton Town?
Derby County to Win!
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – You Believe It Is On The Cards
Hi Mad Hatter,
Yes indeed, Alan Slough was one of the unsung heroes for Luton in the mid to late 60. Like you I was from Limbury Meads (and used to Captain a schoolboy team ‘Meads United’ back in the day). My Grandfather used to take me to all the home games (+ Watford away), and can remember the Graham French goal where he rolled the ball by our goalie (Phil Read or was it Sandy Davey…I cannot remember which) before going on a dazzling dribble and slotting it in at the other end.
Lots of memories of times past and thank you so much for your article on Alan.
Best regards,
Steve Tierney
my pleasure, did you have a sister called Kim?
Hi MH, like you l well remember Slough from that exciting era and was also sad when he left.I really thought he would be a one club mam but apparently Haslam wasn’t keen on him.Just. a small point , when he returned to London it was at Millwall not Fulham and made 14 appearances
Thanks AlanR, it was a typo caused by being interrupted by er’indoors 🙂 corrected now.
Hi Mad Hatter,
Yep,….my sister Kim and I lived along Ashfield Way until 1974. Work took me to Cornwall and she is living near Exeter.
lol we were in the same class together at school
Yes the good old days true Luton Legends through the 1960’s Tony Read ( who I remember played as goalie and center forward) Sandy Davie, Fred Jardine, John Collins, Alan West, Graeme French, John Moore, Barry Fry, David Pleat, Max Dougan, Bobby Thompson, Terry Branston, Brian Lewis, Don Givens and Mike Keen etc etc The good old days
and as I may have mentioned, the era when I first became a visitor to Kenilworth Road.