Henry Mingay

Henry Mingay

Born in Luton in 1895, Harry had played local football but the more than competent goalkeeper had never seemingly come to the attention of the Town. Stationed in Blackpool in the RAMC during the Great War he went to watch a game and answered a call when the goalkeeper did not turn up and went in goal.

He was asked back once hostilities had ceased and for five seasons was the regular goalkeeper at Bloomfield Road in a side that kept narrowly avoiding promotion to the top flight. Thinking he was entitled to a benefit, he was turned down so asked for a move but the £500 fee was too much for the Town so he went to Clapton Orient who did not play him!

Finally coming home in May 1925 he found that he had to share goalkeeping duties with Arthur Purdy and then Bill Harper so was allowed to move to Watford who had a goalkeeping crisis.

Harry finished his playing career at Bedford and passed away in Luton in 1969.