Syd Owen

Sydney William Owen Date of Birth: Sep 29, 1922

After service with the RAF during the war, Syd joined his local club Birmingham on de-mob but due to the large number of professionals on the books at St Andrews at the time managed only five League appearances with the Blues.

Age 25 and needing to play football, Syd gratefully accepted a £1,500 move to Luton which proved money well spent as he went on to make over 400 starts for the Hatters and pick up a host of major honours.

Initially played at wing-half it soon became obvious that his strength in the air, cool distribution and leadership meant a move to centre-half and eventual captaincy. Leading the club to promotion to the top flight, playing for England in the 1954 World Cup and finally skippering the Town in the 1959 FA Cup final marked a glittering playing career.

Sadly, a spell in the hot seat at Luton was not successful but his next job, coach at Leeds during their glory years, was.

Syd retired in 1982 and died in Leeds in 1998.