LUTON TOWN'S GREATEST EVER PLAYERS - GOALKEEPER

Submitted by Andrew McMellon (@andrew_mc84)

Host of My Best Eleven Podcast, Journalist and Pundit (https://mybesteleven.podbean.com/ & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosPHLqTf7KuZfKVtlVLy0Q)

As we delve into trying to work out Luton Town's greatest ever players, the most obvious place to start is in goal. The club has never struggled to grow or sign good quality keepers and below are a list of some of these who stick in the memory of fans...

Jake Findlay A Scottish goalkeeper who was there at the early part of Pleat’s career. Jake was a player who has been selected as goalkeeper in numerous Best Eleven’s and he has been often likened to a goalkeeper ahead of his time by his use of his feet when needed. He played the majority of his career at Luton and his career ended due to (according to reports) a broken thumb which he could never shake.

Les Sealey Nicknamed ‘The Cat’, Les was a character and half. He has been mentioned as selling cars, TV’s and clothing from the back of his car at training when at Luton, Man Utd and West Ham but as a player, he was an amazing goalkeeper. He was unfortunate to not play for the club during the 1988 League Cup Final win but did get to play 12 months later in the loss to Nottingham Forest. Unfortunately, Sealey died at a young age whilst working at West Ham as a goalkeeper coach.

Kelvin Davis Home grown talent from Bedfordshire who has had the most prolonged and sustained career at the top level on this list. He worked his way through and took up the sticks during the difficult mid and late 90’s but soon became a favourite due to his ability in the air and ground. Went onto play for Wimbledon, Ipswich, Sunderland as well as Southampton, where he currently works as a coach. Importantly, he won numerous player awards at clubs including PFA and Supporter Awards, showing how loved he was by all.

Juergen Sommer A huge player with a massive personality. He was not afraid to mix it with others when he came to the club and fought for his position in the mid 90’s. A US international who would have got more caps were it not for Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel. He was between the sticks for the famous FA Cup run in 1994 and left the club sadly soon after to QPR (where he is also remembered fondly).

Simon Sluga The club’s record ever signing, and Croatian international who has represented his club at Euro 2020 and potentially World Cup 2022 too. He has played numerous games at the club and must be credited with gaining at least 12 points each and every season due to his shot stopping ability.

Ron Baynham A man who played in goal for England whilst at the club and who played for the club a total of 388 times (at a time when the number of amount of games was less). He was in goal for the 1959 FA Cup Final and was unlucky in that game to concede in the manner which he did. When he played for England, he never lost and played with the household names such as Sir Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse.