Horace Pakes

Horace Pakes

Born Luton, Bedfordshire.

From his obituary in the Luton News 8th August 1946 edition -

“One of Luton’s best-known sporting personalities, Mr. Horace Pakes, former trainer of the Luton Town F.C., dies at his home, the ‘King Harry,’ 59, Hitchin-road, Luton, yesterday morning. He was 68. Mr Pakes had been in failing health for the past six months, and had been confined to bed for four weeks. He is survived by a widow and one daughter.

Mr. Pakes was connected with the Town F.C. for more than 40 years. For 30 years, while employed in the hat trade, he was trainer to the Reserve team, and in 1927 was appointed full-time trainer to the first eleven. He was very popular with the club and players, and was trainer when the Town were promoted to the Second Division. He retired from his position as trainer in 1938. In 1940 he became licensee of the ‘King Harry.’

The funeral will take place on Monday at 2.30p.m. at the General Cemetery.”

On his retirement in 1938 the Luton News sports editor commented -

“Throwing up the sponge. So Horace Pakes has thrown up the sponge. He has given the very best to the Town Club for over forty years, many of them having been given without fee or reward, or very little remuneration. In the old days I am sure that Horace held the job of trainer to the Town second string at a dead loss, but he probably thought that he was paying for his fun.

However, later he was promoted to first team trainer after spending some time attached as Reserves’ trainer, and he has made many friends among players at home and ‘abroad.’ 

Now he has yielded the sponge, and the job of first team trainer has been handed to Arthur Pembleton, who has been here several years and has thoroughly equipped himself for the job.

Horace could tell many tales of his pleasure and disappointments, and there was no man in the country more pleased than he when promotion was won last year. I am sure he will want to see the Club in the First Division, and although he will not be trainer, his interest will remain, for he will still be an active member of the ground staff.

He will do his job thoroughly, of course, and will add to the number of friends."