Bud Aherne

Thomas Aherne Date of Birth: Jan 26, 1919

Although born in Limerick, Bud moved to the North in 1946, after leaving the army, to turn out for Belfast Celtic.

Following the infamous riot in 1949, which ended with Belfast Celtic resigning from the Irish League, the Hatters were first to offer the established international full-back terms.

Bud gave the Town ten years service with many cultured and reliable displays and was proud of the fact that he was always able to keep wing maestro Stanley Matthews quiet each time they met.

After retiring from the professional game he looked after the Town’s youth side for a while but still continued to play for Luton Celtic until well into his forties. Bud passed away in 1999.