By Will Foster

The quiet, humble Irishman working as a welder at Vauxhall in the 60s and 70s had an interesting past. Not long before, he’d been one of the finest full-backs on either side of the Irish Channel. He’d played for the old Belfast Celtic side in his younger days, and though 30 when he moved to England, had established himself in his adopted home town as a First Division footballer. He was christened as Thomas, but everyone called him Bud.

If they did manage to get him talking about his playing days he might have revealed that he was particularly proud of keeping Stanley Matthews quiet when they faced each other. He may even have spoken about the remarkable game in August 1956 against Wolves, when the Hatters went toe to toe with one of the great sides of the era at Molineux and were unlucky to lose by five goals to four. Or how Charles Jeyes forked out £8,000 to sign him from Ireland, a notable sum for an older player. It proved money well spent.

Bud Aherne was born in Limerick in 1919. A move north after leaving the army saw him join Belfast Celtic before a riot at Windsor Park in 1949 led to the closing of the club. It was then he received his call from Jeyes and made the move to Bedfordshire, becoming a regular in the side for the next six years and being part of the Hatters team that won promotion to the top-flight for the first time. He was a fast and mobile defender and known as one of the game’s best volleyers.

He was 40 by the time Town reached the FA Cup Final but missed out due to injury. He was capped by both Northern and Southern Ireland during his time at Kenilworth Road and spent a short time on the coaching staff after retiring as a player.

In later life Aherne was heavily involved with the St Joseph’s club, who he helped become one of the top teams in the area, and he could often be found on the bowling greens or golf clubs of the town. His sense of fun was apparent even after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Asked by his wife Eileen which of his sons he’d played golf with, Bud, struggling to recall the name, replied, ‘the fat one.’

A packed St Joseph’s church for his funeral in January 2000 attested to his popularity. It was attended by many Town greats. Wally Shanks, a long-time team mate, said, ‘he was a very hard, 100 percent type of player. A nice guy and a real Irishman.’

Did you Know?

Bud failed to score for Luton in his 288 games. Of outfield players, only fellow Irishman Seamus Dunne (326) played more without a goal.

Below: Captain Bud Aherne shakes hands with Notts County's ex-Hatter Jack Taylor.