James Bennett

James Bennett

Born in Luton in 1850 and baptised at St. Mary’s Parish Church, James was a ‘Bonnet Blocker’ by trade and was elected onto the Luton Town Committee in late 1885, at a time when they were under pressure due to the poor performance of certain members.

James would give thousands of hours of his time to the new Luton Town Football Club, serving as a gateman, umpire/linesman and regular attending committee meetings, another of those without whom there could not have been a club. He stepped down in 1897 and was recorded as a ‘Straw Hat Blocker’ in 1911, living at 87 Dumfries Street.

He lived to the grand old age of 94, celebrating a Diamond Wedding anniversary with his wife, Ann in 1935.