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, Robert Hawkes, Mark Pembridge and Bernard Streten
For the latest in our series we are covering the career of Sol Davis as suggested by Chris Murton.
I’m always grateful when I receive nominations for this ongoing series and it kind of made my day when Chris Murton proposed I cover Sol Davis.
Sol made 229 appearances for the Hatters between 2002 and 2009 and was one of those rare breed of professionals that always give you at least a 6 or 7 out of 10, a fearless tackler and a player who wasn’t afraid to venture forward and assist the attack.
Born in a horse racing town, Cheltenham, Sol’s first experience, as a professional, came with Swindon Town for whom he made circa 130 appearances before Joe Kinnear enticed him to move to Kenilworth Road in August 2002.
After some more than competent performances, Sol made the left back position his own and soon became a fans favourite. Such was his commitment, he received the coveted ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ award when the team were promoted from League One in 2004/2005.
It was the same season in which Sol got on the score sheet netting twice in the successful campaign.
Unfortunately, with the reign of Joe Kinnear over and with Kevin Blackwell in charge, his career at Kenilworth appeared to be winding down and he found himself on the transfer list.
A loan move to Peterborough United followed but was cut short when Sol picked up an injury.
However any thoughts that Sol would be leaving the club were put to one side when, after Blackwell had been axed, Mick Harford sought to utilise Sol’s expertise as the Hatters desperately tried, unsuccessfully, to avoid the drop into League Two.
With the club sliding down the Football League ladder, Sol went on to make a further 24 league appearances in the season where they slipped into non-league football.
With cut-backs to be made in the clubs financial outlays, Sol was one of those players who were not offered a new deal and after seven seasons he let Kenilworth Road to join the MK Dons.
One instance, during his time with Luton Town, will never be forgotten with Sol, travelling on the club coach for an away game against Ipswich Town, suffered a stroke, for many it would have been a career ending medical condition but Sol battled through his rehabilitation period and made a successful return to the side.
In nominating Sol Davis, Chris Murton mentioned a tackle that Sol would always be remebered for, something akin to a tackle that, some might say, belonged to a long gone era.
As if by magic, I found a video of that very challenge for you all to re-watch:
Sol Davis – Mini Fact File
Name – Solomon Sebastian Davis
Date of Birth – 04-September-1979
Place of Birth – Cheltenham, England
Position – Defender
Height – 5 feet 8 inches
Playing Career – Swindon Town, Luton Town, Peterborough United (loan), MK Dons, Kettering Town (loan), Kettering Town, Arlesey Town, Warminster Town
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Sol Davis, 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 Gordon Riddick as suggested by Geoff Miles.
COYH’s
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Luton Town – The ‘C’ XI Revisited
