Read, Dougan, Jardine, Slough, Branston, Moore, French, Buxton, Allen, Rioch, Whittaker. 11  names to leave Luton fans of a certain age misty eyed with memories of the team that started a resergence back through the divisions, beginning with the 1968 Division 4 (now League 2) title win.

In today’s game of large squads and player rotation it’s remarkable to consider that seven of the side appeared in 40 or more league games. Among those was the goalkeeper Tony Read, who had started his time at Kenilworth Road in quite a different fashion.

Though he had joined both Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough as a ‘keeper, strong competition for places had led to him volunteering to play up front. It was while doing so for Peterborough Reserves against Tottenham, scoring past Pat Jennings no less, that he was spotted by Town boss George Martin who promptly splashed out £800 for his signature in March 1965.

Oddly, despite this goalscoring prowess, Read was signed as a ‘keeper and in particular to replace the great Ron Baynham who, no longer able to play through the pain caused by a leg injury, had just retired. In keeping with the fortunes of the club at the time it was only when Read arrived that it was spotted that his foot was broken. Martin was aghast, decreeing, ‘it never rains but it pours.’

By the time Read was fit again Colin Tinsley had taken ownership of the goalkeeper’s jersey. However during an injury crisis George Martin remembered his keeper/striker and picked him as a forward in the League Cup game against Brighton. He then turned to Read again for a trip to Rochdale, thinking that his height and strength would help protect and free up John O’Rourke.

Though he was penalised early on, forgetting his role in the team and punching a ball launched towards him, the plan was succesful with O’Rourke scoring first and then Read adding a second after the hour. It started an excellent scoring run in which he managed 11 in 21 games, including a fondly remembered hat-trick against Notts County at Kenilworth Road.

But then almost as soon as the dalliance with goalscoring glory had begun he was back between the sticks, making his debut as a goalkeeper in a home game against Stockport and in a 2-0 victory. It was the first of 69 clean sheets for the club, a number bettered by only Mark Tyler, Ron Baynham and Les Sealey. It would also mark the end of his time further up the pitch, save for a few sporadic starts and substitute appearances.

The arrival of Allan Brown as manager brought new challenges. Brown was determined to find a Scot to keep goal and it began a tradition of Read seeing off challengers to his jersey. Over the years Colin Tinsley, George Ramage, Ron Swan, Billy Taylor, Sandy Davie, Alan Starling and Keith Barber found themselves unable to dislodge Read, who would eventually make 229 appearances over seven seasons at Kenilworth Road.

He was born in Haydock in Lancashire in 1942. While at the club he would design and build his own house in Chalton. He was also given the job of having Graham French live next door, the club’s directors thinking the more mature Read would be a good influence.

‘Graham was a lovely man but it was a nightmare,’ Tony told Hatters’ Heritage in a 2022 interview, ‘when we were playing Watford away he threw a party the night before. Air hostesses, the works. I told him Graham, come on, we have a match tomorrow.’  French apologised and sent the revellers home.

Though he lost his place to Sandy Davie for most of the 1969/70 promotion winning season under Alec Stock he had the pleasure of watching Malcolm Macdonald first hand. ‘He was the fastest player I’d ever seen. I gave him a 25 yard start in a race and he still beat me!’

By the time Read had turned 30 he’d won his place back but wasn’t enjoying the game. He was also suffering from an injury to his right knee. Despite interest from Millwall and Cambridge he took the decision to retire. ‘I just wanted to end at Luton. Luton served me well and I had a lot of affection for them.’

He owned a 2nd hand car business in Park Street and became the landlord of The Old Bell in Greenfield in 1976. He remained a familiar face at Kenilworth Road, attending every week as a member of the Century Club and in his role as a Hospital Commentator. He also often played for the Luton Old Boys XI, helping to raise money for charity.

Tony retired to Dersingham in Norfolk where he has spent many years perfecting his golf swing and where he still lives. He deserves his place as one of the club’s greatest goalkeepers.

Below: Tony in his distinctive green jersey