Luton Town – Focusing On Those Who Can Call Themselves – One Of Our Own – Ricky Hill
Continuing with our ongoing series which focuses on the plethora of decent players the Hatters scouting regime brought to the club, players that could quite aptly fall under the terrace chant of:
“He’s One of Our Own”
I’ve selected Ricky Anthony Hill as the seventh player to be featured.
Ricky Hill wasn’t just a talent he was, in my opinion, the most talented home-grown player I’ve had the pleasure of watching strut his stuff at Kenilworth Road.
Hill wasn’t just a midfield powerhouse, there was so much more to his game, his vision of the game was outstanding and more a man of his physique he possessed a subtle touch many other lacked.
Born in Paddington, London, on 05-March-1958, Hill was discovered playing for John Kelly Boys’ Technology College, in Neasden, by none other than David Pleat who, at the time, was Luton’s reserve team coach.
The gifted midfielder signed for the Hatters in 1975 and was to go on to make 436 league appearances scoring 54 goals in a period that spanned 1976 to 1989.
During his time with the Hatters, Hill was to earn 3 full England caps, making his debut against Denmark in September 1982.
Hill played a major role in helping Luton Town become the Second Division Champions, in the 1981-1982 season and was also a pivotal part of the Hatters side that won the League Cup Final, against Arsenal, in 1988.
In 1989 he left Kenilworth Road to join the French club, Le Havre and also went on to play for Leicester City, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Chertsey Town and Cocoa Expos.
Hill made a brief return to Kenilworth Road, as the Hatters manager, in July 2000 but despite his best intentions he was to preside over only two Luton wins as the club ended up being relegated.
Ricky Hill, to me, the best home-grown player I had the pleasure to watch in the flesh, a colossus of a player who served the club so well.
As for footage of Ricky in action, I’ve chosen the following.
Firstly, an epic encounter against Manchester United that took place on 2-October-1982
And secondly, an epic day at Villa Park, on 13-April-1985 when an FA Cup Final appearance beckoned after Ricky gave Luton Town the lead against Everton…………….but it, sadly, wasn’t to be.
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