So sad to see, late yesterday afternoon, that the former Luton Town manager, Joe Kinnear, had passed away, aged 77.
I guess it is a sign of old-age that sees so many of those you were acquainted with pass away, time stands still for no man.
Joe managed the Hatters from 2001 to 2003 arriving at Kenilworth Road after leaving Oxford United.
Appointed as the Director of Football, many thought he would oversee the football side of matters at the club but Joe had other ideas.
With the Hatters doing their utmost to avoid relegation from the old Division 2, Joe obviously believed he could do better than the then incumbent of the managerial role, Lil Fuccillo and took over the managerial role himself axing the former Luton legend.
Now whether that was a wise move is up for discussion but the change in the managerial hot seat did not stop the Hatters from being relegated and the club ended up in Division 3.
Relegation saw Kinnear make wholesale changes at the club, many of those that played a part in our relegation season were released and Joe set about overhauling the squad, bringing in players he believed could take the Hatters straight back up.
Among those who signed on the dotted line were the duo of Steve Howard and Kevin Nicholls, two players who were to go on and become Luton legends.
Kinnears’s strategy worked with the dream of bouncing straight back realised when Luton Town finished second in the table, behind the division winners, Plymouth Argyle.
However, thoughts of securing back-to-back promotions failed to materialise with the Hatters finishing a poor ninth place in the table the following season.
Following the end of the above season the Hatters changed ownership when a consortium, fronted by John Gurney, took over the club. The change of ownership saw both Joe and his assistant, one Mick Harford, sacked soon after.
The sackings were done in strange circumstances with Joe later suggesting his letter confirming his axing had the signature of a Northampton Town employee on it.
Joe, in my opinion, deserves credit for our turnaround in fortunes and, after being axed by Luton Town, he was soon to return to management, taking over the role at Nottingham Forest before joining Newcastle United some four years later.
RIP – Joe Kinnear
COYH
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Manchester City to Win!
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
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I remember Joe’s tenureship with great fondness he rebuilt the togetherness between players and supporters at a difficult time along with Mick.Bad owners wrecked what I feel would have been a resurgence under him and Mick he was badly served by owners.Yet was still able to lay foundation that won’t be forgotten by supporters. We know he was badly treated by the owner remember the ballot that wasn’t to remove him!!!! RIP Joe a great manager.