For the latest in our ongoing 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 and Robert Hawkes
For the latest in our ongoing and, hopefully, comprehensive series, we’re going to take a brief look at the career of Mark Pembridge, as nominated by Tony Byfield.
Pembridge, a Welsh international was the product of the Hatters extensive scouting system, a group of individuals that served the Hatters magnificently in identifying talent across the four home nations.
Mark joined Luton Town as a trainee in 1989, after the club were guided in his direction by Cyril Beach, who operated in South Wales.
With his undoubted talents being nurtured on the training ground, the young Welshman was to make his debut, for the Hatters, on 01-January-1991.
From the moment he made his debut, it was obvious that the Hatters had a star on their hands and young Mark was to become an ever-present in the side.
Occupying a left-sided midfield position, Pembridge soon became a fans favourite with his tenacious, but skilful, style winning over the support.
He also possessed a fierce shot which helped the player to score six goals during his seventy appearances, in all competitions, for the club.
Sadly, with the Hatters dropping down a division and needing to secure some finance, Mark’s Luton career came to an end in the summer of 1992, when the board accepted a £1.25 million offer from Derby County.
After leaving Kenilworth Road Mark’s career continued to blossom at Derby and also at the other clubs he played for – Sheffield Wednesday, Benfica, Everton and Fulham.
Mark Pembridge – Mini Fact File
Name – Mark Anthony Pembridge
Date of Birth – 29-November-1970
Place of Birth – Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Position – Midfield
Height – 5 feet 7 inches
Youth Career – Luton Town
Playing Career – Luton Town, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, Benfica, Everton, Fulham
International Career – Wales (54 caps)
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Mark Pembridge , 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 Bernard Stretton as suggested by David Davies.
COYH’s
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No!
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Luton Town – Another Episode Of The Great FA Cup Debate
i have just realised you haven’t done Sol Davis legendary his tackle at Stoke alone qualifies him and what about forgetting to celebrate when he finall got his first goal against Bradford i think.
on the list of to be done, thanks for the nomination
Mark was a super player from back when we had talent in abundance in our youth teams an a proper scouting team taking the best boys from Scotland Wales an Ireland and England sadly long gone an replaced by local talent only bad move there. Sadly lost to bad owners misfinancial dealings but a real proper player.
i sometimes ponder how many good players we lost courtesy of misfinancial dealings!
I remember Mark and Kerri Hughes playing football in my back garden at my daughters first birthday party in August 1987 when they were apprentices, I have it on video.
I last saw Mark at a friend’s wedding in the nineties, he is a humble and good guy.
I really like Mark Pembridge, he was good in the tackle and drove forward with the ball . Remember especially a goal at Villa Park hit with such force from edge of penalty area theat the goalkeeper never moved.
Another of the great young talent we had to sell to survive.
I would like to put forward John Groves from the 1950’s team.
Don’t think you have covered him yet.
Noted