After a longer than planned break, I am now in a position to continue with our ongoing legends series.
For the latest in our series covering those who have achieved legendary status among the support, we feature another former Luton figure who became a fans favourite.
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, Robert Hawkes, Mark Pembridge, Bernard Streten and Sol Davies
The latest in our series, as requested by you, our readership, is Gordon Riddick.
Born on 06-November-1943, Riddick began his career in the youth set-up, at Kenilworth Road before breaking in to the first team in 1962.
My own memories of Gordon are a little sparse as he was to leave the Hatters in the very year I first started venturing to Kenilworth Road with my late father.
He was a player that always gave his best but, for one reason or another, was never really appreciated by the Luton Town support.
During his Luton Town career, Gordon made 114 appearances and scoring on 17 occasions.
Once his career at Kenilworth Road came to an end, he joined Gillingham, signing for a record fee paid by the Kent based club.
Later in his career he was to play for Brentford, Charlton Athletic, Northampton Town and Orient.
But his time as a professional footballer effectively came to an end ater he picked up an ankle injury while with Brentford.
Although acknowledgedas a professional footballer, Gordon was also a keen cricketer, playing what was labelled as Minor Counties cricket for Hertfordshire and followers of Langleybury Cricket Club will recall his role as captai, groundsman, committee member and president for the club.
Behind the scenes he also ran a successful building firm.
Sadly, Gordon passed away on 24-August-2018, aged 74 years-of-age.
Gordon Riddick – Mini Fact File
Name – Gordon George Riddick
Date of Birth – 06-November-1943
Place of Birth – Langleybury, England
Position – Midfielder
Youth Career – Luton Town
Playing Career – Luton Town, Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Orient, Northampton Town, Brentford, Wealdstone
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Gordon Riddick, 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 Tony Thorpe as suggested by Mad Hatter.
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Town – The Great Money Splurge Debate
I can’t comment on his hatters career as he was no longer a hatter when i first went to KR (1975). I did however as a young cricketer just breaking through into first team cricket play against him. I understand as a player he was combative i can confirm he carried that competitive nature in his cricket with a dry sense of humour (sledging) certainly evident.
I remember Gordon very well. Midfielders didn’t exist in his day. You were either a half back or an inside forward.
He was an inside forward I want to say Inside left. The writer is correct he was not a ‘star’ player but a no nonsense workhorse, under appreciated by the majority of supporters. He didn’t score many but he set up plenty. Similar player to Tony Thorpe in work and provision, without much appreciation from the fans. Early to mid 60s from memory.
Jim Fleming. (Early 60s)
Noted
I saw Gordon score the equaliser in a 1-1 draw ant tge Oak Road end against Colchester in the mid 60’s (can’t remember the date). It was a bank holiday and Colchester were going for promotion so I guess it was Easter time and was the biggest crowd I’d ever been in at the Kenny – 15000 +
Morning MH, just been reading the comments made by rob about Morris and mehngi it seems that along with those who are still in rehab now maybe more players are still carrying minor issues going into the start of the season this along with his comment that 1 or 2 players may join this week. I for one am beginning to worry unless rob is contemplating promoting some of our younger players to the first team as a few have impressed preseason. Something I fully support then the likelihood of a good start to the season is a bit of a worry as we look well short in most departments now but what do others think ?
players out v players in doesn’t bode well. Successful seasons are invariably accompanied by a decent start, I too am worried!
I remember Gordon Riddick very well and the abuse he received from the crowd when he first appeared in the first team which was possibly only exceeded by that given to Danny Clapton. Gordon soon silenced the crowd and became a vital member of the team which showed the character of the man.