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, John Ryan, Syd Owen, Marvin Johnson, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Hatton, Steve Buckley,Chris Coyne, Ron Baynham, John Still, Jack Bannister, Ricky Hill, Chris Nicholl, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Don Givens, Gordon Turner, Brian Stein, Jesse Pye, Raddy Antic, Joe Payne, Max Dougan, Alan Slough, Ray Whittaker, Dave Pacey, Milija Aleksic, Ron Davies, Sandy Davie John O’Rourke, Les Sealey, Bob Morton, Wally Shanks, Gordon Riddick, Billy Bingham, Herbert Moody, Adrian Alston, Reg Pearce, Keith Allen, Jimmy Ryan, George Cummins, Rodney Fern, Harry Walden, Billy McDerment, Scott Oakes, Bert Mitchell, Kingsley Black, Mike Harrison, Matt Tees, Jimmy Husband John Collins, Billy Waugh, Steve Howard and Robert Hawkes and Mark Pembridge
For the latest in our series we are covering the career of a former goalkeeper, Bernard Streten.
Streten came to Kenilworth Road after coming to the attention of the Hatters playing as an amateur for Shrewsbury Town.
His Hatters career began in 1947 and ended in 1957 but during this period he made 276 league appearances and his abilities were rewarded with a colitary England cap when he played between the posts in an international fixture against Ireland, with England winning 9-2.
Although with the Hatters for ten years, his figure of 276 league appearances would / should have been higher bit it should not be forgotten that during his time with Luton, there was the small matter of two other goalkeepers, at varying times, to compete with, namely Ron Baynham and Iorwerth Hughes who also played for England and Wales respectively.
Not the tallest in stature, Bernard made up for his lack of inches with his outstanding agility and was a firm faourite of the Hatters support.
Bernard’s last game for Luton Town came against Tottenham Hotspur, on 02-Feb-1957.
Retirement saw Bernard move to Mundesley with the history books showing that he was tempted out of retirement to play for Kings Lynn.
Aware from the glare of football, Bernardbecame a publican in the village of Bacton and passed away, in Norwich, back in 1994.
Bernard Streten – Mini Fact File
Name –Bernard Reginald Streten
Date of Birth – 14-January-1921
Place of Birth – Gillingham, Norfolk, England
Position – Goalkeeper
Playing Career – Notts County, Shrewsbury Town, Luton Town, Kings Lynn, Wisbech Town, Cambridge City
International Career – England (1 cap)
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Bernard Streten, 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 Sol Davis as suggested by Chris Murton.
COYH’s
Tottenham Hotspur v Luton Town?
Tottenham to Win!
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Town – Ron Baynham – RIP
I just remember Bernard Streten, he was a lively character and a crowd favourite.When the team warmed up before the game in front of the KR Terrace the crowd threw sweets, which he collected and put in his cap in the back of the net.
He was replaced by Ron Baynham and he left soon afterwards.