A month ago, regular visitors to Vital Luton Town may recall an article I penned about the late Alan Slough.
In the article – luton-town-alan-slough-an-unsung-hero-rip – I covered my admiration for a midfielder who was, to put it bluntly, a member of the team who did not get the praise he deserved.
Today, I thought I would do something similar with another midfielder, from a different era, who also did not get the praise he probably deserved – Alan West.
The article will also bring to light a fact that many of you may not be aware of.
Born on 18-December-1951, in Hyde, Cheshire, Alan began his career at Burnley, making his way through the Turf Moor academy.
In 1973, having attracted the attention of several clubs, Alan looked set to join Sunderland, but, at the last minute, the move was called off.
Alan was, amazingly, advised by the medical staff at the north-east club that he a medical condition which would leave him crippled if he continued to play.
The news obviously fell on deaf ears as Alan continued to pursue his career and joined Luton Town in the same year.
The move to Kenilworth Road saw Alan flourish and he was to spend eight seasons with the Hatters going on to make 285 league appearances and scoring 16 league goals.
He was never a prolific scorer but was a midfielder who could pick a sublime pass out, graft for the team, and encourage others merely by doing his job in impeccable style.
His traits saw him captain the club and Alan was an ever-present in the 1974/1975 season when the Hatters made a brief return to top-flight football.
Alan left Luton, in 1976, to try his hand in the North American Soccer League with Minnesota Kicks.
A return to England came in 1981 when Alan joined Millwall before trying his hand as the manager of Hitchin Town.
A religious man, Alan returned to Kenilworth Road and spent a spell as Club Chaplain before retiring in 2017.
As a youngster, I can also recall Alan, whilst playing for Luton, living on the same estate as me, Limbury Mead, and he was the perfect gentleman always accepting autograph requests and never afraid to stop, for a few minutes, to have a chat.
The word consummate professional applied to Alan and his contribution to the Luton cause should never be forgotten.
COYH’s
Luton Town v Middlesbrough?
Luton Town to Win!
Middlesbrough to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – Almost Fifty Years Ago
Hi MH, I was living on Marsh farm between 71/81 and I had a lot of mates around limbury so we used to see Alan West quite a bit. Your right a he was always friendly a stopped for a chat on a couple of occasions had a 5 min kick about with us….true gent….
they don’t make them like him any more
Hi mh, Alan became a pastor and continued to play football in luton in the North home counties league for Christians in sport. I played against him a number of times. And there’s truth in the old saying they never lose it. As I found often to my cost!!! An pride being years younger an still not able to play him!!!
🙂
KDH reminds me of Alan West. Both able to pick passes that others are incapable of delivering. Both find space to knit the defence and attack. It seems to me that KDH, like Alan West lacks a bit of pace. But what he lacks in raw speed he makes up for with his ability to think quickly and know where is teammates should be.
sometimes just reading the game can be one of a players biggest assets.
Played football with Alan a couple of years back (the walking variety) and he is a really nice guy. Also, he’s still got it. An absolute pleasure playing alongside him in midfield. Haven’t seen him since Covid, hope he’s okay. COYH
I hope so too, also I am glad this article is getting a response, hopefully there will be more, in a similar vein, to follow.
Hiya there, just to say that Alan grew up about half a mile from me on a small cosy estate in Hyde. He was a school year above me and whilst I passed my 11 plus Alan hadn’t, the year before me so we went to different schools. Alan went to a footy and school and had some great players around him. Our local lads side was outstanding but HE stood out a country mile. Burnley requested a trial whereby our team played one of their youth teams. They’d also been watching him locally. As far As I can remember, one of two others interested the Burnley scouts ( not me 😮) but Alan was taken on almost immediately!
We’ve ended up living in Norwich and 10 miles away in Hemsby we have a caravan. We get many holidaymakers from the Luton a nd almost of the Luton fans remember Alan with great affecrion. I don’t remember Als family being religious not him standing out as being religious himself….but hey ho ..as they say…God works in mysterious ways! Say hello to him if you see him 🙄😎
Seem to Remember a Game being Held up Whilst searching for One of Alan,s Contact Lenses…
Thorough Gentleman….. Quality Midfielder…. Played for Luton and God .. Bless Him
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Met Alan a few years ago whilst on holiday in Portugal .
Same Alan — such a nice and genuine man .
Pure class – on and off the field
one of a kind