Perspective can alter the way we think about the game and the clubs we support. From a unique vantage point the sight of a goal, save or tackle can make any game unforgettable. Personally, the most recent experience of this kind came at Wycombe earlier this month when the contest reached its end-to-end finale.
With the score tied at one apiece, Elliot Lee tip-toed along the edge of the box before firing towards the bottom corner. The ball came hurtling towards me. I was certain, It was IN..! Until it wasn’t. Ryan Allsop’s contrary fingertips somehow turned it round the post. I had leapt in anticipation before returning to the concrete, head in hands. It was nothing special, but there’s something visceral about being in the firing line.
More impressive is my abiding memory of Luton’s last trip to Charlton almost eight years ago. One goal behind and with the clock ticking down, Claude Gnakpa galloped forward before poking infield to Andy Drury. From 25 yards out he struck, first time, into the top corner. The ball curling into the net gave the most satisfying rippling effect, like a pianist running their fingers across the keys. It was perfection.
I’m sure plenty of Luton supporters walked away feeling quite envious of The Valley; the embanked Jimmy Seed Stand and the two-tiered North Stand. A grand old stadium which had retained its atmosphere. The type of home we would like to be able to build.
Ironically, the ground has become something of a financial burden to Charlton in these times of austerity as their Belgian owner seeks to sell the club. Food, bottled water, electricity and WiFi are all reportedly being rationed at Floyd Road and their Sparrows Lane training ground in order to reduce operating costs.
Furthermore, the account of an employee who was allegedly refused permission to eat crisps at their desk, to cut down on cleaning, encouraged supporters to protest during the following home fixture against Fleetwood, bringing the game to a halt by throwing bags of crisps onto the field.
While the Addicks look impressive on the pitch, the supporters long for owners who will attend games, board meetings, and will pay staff bonuses they say they have been promised. It’s a despondency which Luton fans have felt under previous regimes, and a reason why we appreciate 2020 and their dedicated work over the last decade.
As football fans, we often want what we can’t have; whether it’s an expansive ground or committed board. In years to come, we’ll look at things from a different angle and be glad we persevered.
The above featured in This Is Our Town on 29/09/2018
On a late summer afternoon, Mick Harford sits in the garden of a West Common pub near his Harpenden home ready to discuss four decades in football; from his status as quintessential centre-forward in Luton's most successful team to his current role as the club's head of recruitment.
In the last 48 hours Harford has travelled to Doncaster and back, acting as short-term assistant manager to Nathan Jones. He has also driven to and from Oxford on a Sunday morning to fulfil his scouting responsibilities; such is his dedication to the Bedfordshire club.
"I'm not sure I really wanted to be there, in the dugout. It's been a long time. But Nathan asked me and he's my first port of call. It was actually nice yesterday, getting down to pitch level and seeing the intensity of it all again. We played very well. There's still a bit of naivety, but we'll sort it out."
According to 59-year-old Harford, who grew up on a Sunderland council estate in a family of seven, this hard-working ethos has laid the foundations for a productive career.
"I went for a trial at Sunderland as a teenager. They must've thought I wasn't good enough. I'm a bit of a realist. Having a setback at a younger age gives you more determination and makes you more driven. I left school and worked for three years as a plumber. I knew you had to start at the bottom and work your way to the top. I've always believed in that."
The Humbledon man honed his skills at Lambton Street Boys Club before earning a contract at Lincoln City in 1977. On the day that manager Graham Taylor left to join Watford, the signing of Harford was his parting act.
"We had some really good players at Lambton Street and a few of them turned pro. It was a boxing club and a football club. I did a bit of both.
"Graham Taylor came to watch us in the North East two or three times and we got offered a contract, which was very rare. I thank him for that. When I joined the England set-up out in Malta he was manager of the B team. We won 2-0 and Graham told me 'I finally got to manage you at last.' That was a nice thing for him to say."
Harford at Birmingham. Source: DT92
While Harford is also keen to praise Arthur Cox, the man who signed him twice, Ron Saunders, the one who revelled in the mischief of the 'Birmingham six', and Sir Bobby Robson, the man who rewarded him with two England caps; the most influential manager of the 20th century, Luton Town are the club with which he is synonymous.
In 1984 Harford sustained a severe lip injury while representing Birmingham City, requiring 100 stitches after a duel with Sam Allardyce. Consequently, he was sold to Luton. His first season in Bedfordshire was made remarkable by the F.A. Cup sixth round tie against Millwall at Kenilworth Road.
"Even the dogs were scared that night. We were warming up and could sense that something was kicking off. The ground was too full and it looked dangerous. You knew what was coming, but it was a different kind of intimidation. They weren't trying to get at us physically or mentally, they were just idiots."
In the first of six spells with the Hatters, two of them as a player, Harford starred in the team that won Luton's first major trophy in 1988. "We had a meeting at White Hart Lane after the F.A. Cup semi-final defeat to Wimbledon. Ray Harford said 'You've got to the F.A. Cup semi-final, the Simod Cup final, and this is your last chance. You can't blow it.'
"I came off at Wembley (in the League Cup final) because I'd snapped a bone in my ankle, but didn't know what it was for six weeks until I had an operation. I can remember seeing Brian (Stein) score and jumping up with Ray Harford and Darren McDonough. I could only hobble around afterwards. I remember saying to Fozzie 'wherever you are Foz, I'm behind you.' We had a great time on the pitch and then a brilliant night at the Savoy."
Harford with the Littlewoods Cup (1988). Copyright GettyImages
Derby paid £450,000 to acquire Harford in 1990, yet he managed to further endear himself to Luton supporters, scoring an 'intentional' own goal on the final day of the season which saved the Hatters from relegation and condemned his beloved Sunderland.
"No it wasn't deliberate, but I like the kudos I get from Luton fans, I'm glad I did it actually (grins). It saved Luton's skin and had no impact on Derby. I got loads of stick from mates back home, but relegation doesn't happen in one goal. It takes a whole season."
He returned to LU1 in the summer of 91'. His final stint as a Luton player started sweetly, scoring two goals in victory over Oldham, but ended bitterly in relegation. "That overhead kick goal is not something I'm renowned for. I prefer the tap-in, knowing where to run and being in the right place at the right time is what being a centre-forward is all about; Johnny on the spot."
"I remember vividly standing on the post at Notts County on the final day and the ball skidding past me. That made it 2-1. It was a sad day. The pitch got invaded. I thought about knocking a few lads out to be honest (laughs)."
Harford moved on to Chelsea, having scored 93 goals in 217 Luton appearances, and then Sunderland after one season in London. However, his time on Wearside was cut short when his young son suffered a road accident. Following a fallow year at Coventry he enjoyed the twilight of his career at Wimbledon under Joe Kinnear; scoring his final top flight goal at the age of 38.
"It was a day out at Center Parcs (at Wimbledon.) They ripped my clothes up and wrecked my hotel room, but I never got set upon like all the other new players." The forward was experiencing injury, but as one door closed another one opened. He became U23s manager as Selhurst Park, forging a partnership with Kinnear, and when the latter had fully recovered from a heart attack the pair took the reigns at Luton in 2001.
"Joe was a good manager and a friend of mine. We were in the position where (Mike) Watson-Challis was chairman. we had a decent budget and signed some good players. Stevie Howard, Kevin Nicholls, Chris Coyne, Valois."
Two strong forwards with imperious aerial ability, it is easy to draw similarities between Harford and Howard. "He wasn't that good, was he? Howie is a lovely fella. He used to set up play then he wouldn't get in the box, he was technically good enough to be a midfielder. When we got him fitter and running into the box, the goals came.
"We were flying and then John Gurney f***ed it up. I got sacked by a letter through the post. He wasn't paying anyone's wages, but he paid mine when I went in the board meeting. Joe got offered the manager's job four times and I got offered it three times. Pop Idol? It was an embarrassment to the football club."
"Mike Newell asked me to come back two or three times, but I wouldn't get involved until the new owners took over. Mike did a good job. He inherited a great squad and added to it well. I didn't want to leave Luton but Joe was persistent in taking me to Forest."
Harford was appointed Town manager in 2008 with the club in administration and sitting bottom of the League One table. "I knew it was going to be tough but I was up for it 100%. I still feel responsible for the club getting relegated into the conference. They moved me on at the right time. In fact, Gary Sweet sacked me in this pub."
"I thought we could overcome the 30 point deduction, especially after the way we played in the first game, but it wasn't to be. It was always tough looking at the table after a defeat and seeing that we were 15 points adrift. At least we brought some of the pride back by winning the JPT. People still tell me that it was one of the greatest days they ever had because of the circumstances. I haven't watched the game or that Eric Morecambe jig since; it's too embarrassing.
Harford with JPT (2009) Source: Pinterest
"It was hard to attract players at the start of that season. I'd say 'If you come and join us and you keep us in the football league you will become a legend at this football club.' You knew who was up for the challenge there and then, and Nico was, even though we knew we would have to nurture him though the season."
In January 2016 Harford returned to Kenilworth Road as head of recruitment, helping to craft the team which gained promotion from League Two in 2018. The success has given him renewed purpose.
"I enjoy it. I like watching games and putting things together; looking at structure and style of play. The manager has a remit and that shapes our recruitment process. His knowledge is first class, so he actually helps me.
"Isaac Vassell wasn't a bad find. It only took once to see Isaac's potential. His pace was unbelievable. I saw him score two goals and set two up. we were lucky to get him. We brought in Elliot Lee too. He was a bit chunky but we got him fitter. Elliot reminds me of Thorpey (Tony Thorpe), he can create things for himself. He twists and turns and doesn't need to look to anyone else.
"I'm so happy that the club's in a great place now. We believe we've got a good squad that can take us forward. I was delighted for Nathan and the staff when we got promoted because they worked their socks off and deserved it. We get magnificent support from Gary Sweet, 2020 and the board as well."
To Luton, Harford has an acute sense of belonging, a desire to influence others which is reflected by his involvement in the community. He has helped to organise an annual charity golf day at Luton Hoo in memory of dear friend Andy King. Last year the event raised £5,000 towards Transitions UK and CHUMS. He is also a patron of the Karen Trust; a retreat for terminally ill cancer sufferers.
"Karen was Mitchell Thomas' partner. She died about two years after their baby Lily was born. Me and Ian Wright are ambassadors. I go to the balls, walks, and runs. I also participate in fundraising events. She was a beautiful person and I'll always want to be involved."
Harford sits pensively with his large hands crossed and fingers entwined. "People get the wrong idea about me. I just absolutely love football. I loved training. I love going to work. I loved playing. People think I had another side to me which maybe I did, but I was a football fanatic. I would train until the cows came home."
He then takes a sip from a glass of coke, which doesn't seem the typical choice of drink for a retired pro: "I've got knee replacement surgery next week. I haven't had a drink for six weeks." There is cruel irony in the fact that a player who was so committed on the AstroTurf, before its detrimental effects were known, is in discomfort.
Harford told the Daily Mail in November 2017 that he had 'holes in his memory', a possible consequence of heading the ball which has been linked to early on-set dementia. "I'm surprised no one's been in touch with me to follow up. I guess I headed the ball more than anybody. I haven't got dementia but I have got some kind of memory loss. I talk to lads about games we played, nights out we had, and I can't remember. It's just the way it is, but I will always remember my goals."
So it’s over, and we can feel both pride and despair now that the dust has settled. In June Mike Whalley pithily proclaimed that England should approach the tournament with the attitude of “a man of his mid-30s attending an old school friend’s wedding: try to enjoy it, and don’t embarrass yourself” (WSC 376). In fact, England’s only indiscretion as a wedding guest was that they rather crudely caught the bouquet, barging past the other bridesmaids in a style synonymous with Harry Maguire at a set-piece.
It felt honourable to be represented by a team and manager who were so bold, so confident, but never believed their own hype and never exhibited any real signs of hubris; a group that knew their own limitations but never sunk into a self-pitying stupor. Yes, our first opponents were ‘only’ Tunisia, but this England team prevailed in the type of game where so many technically superior players of the past have suffered stage fright.
Kyle Walker’s flailing arm dragged us all back into a youthful state of intolerance; glaring anxiously at a screen and willing the men in red to ‘just break them down already.’ And then it happened. Kane scored again. It was robust rather than pretty, but sometimes sporting moments that seem modest can have such a sweet ineffability. “Get in there! Get me out there! To Nizhny Novgorod, we’re on our way!”
Only that wasn’t financially viable on this occasion, meaning so many of us undoubtedly made the mistake of watching the game in public with some insufferable attention seekers. Even though Panama were poor, England were ruthless and inventive. It felt so good even the pint-throwing parasites couldn’t ruin that sun-soaked afternoon in late June. Jesse Lingard scored a beauty and a 6-1 result meant England secured their World Cup record scoreline. All aboard Glenn Hoddle’s ‘love train’.
The essence of this England team was different, and it emanated from a manager whose affability is hard to ignore. First the nation derided the tabloid press’ hounding of Raheem Sterling; whose gun tattoo in memory of his father is concealed completely when he takes to the football pitch, not that it’s any of our business anyway. Next, Gareth Southgate’s encouragement of speed-dating style media access to the players helped deconstruct the myth that elite footballers are somehow impervious to life’s strains.
England YouTube channel Lions’ Den also brought levity to the fan experience. Supporters were given insight into the lives of the players who represented them and players were given the opportunity to drink something other than electrolytes and protein shakes; as host Craig Mitch offered each new guest a secret potion. Southgate deserves most credit for his handling of the team sheet leak, refusing to be drawn into a fight and rising above it all.
England were then defeated by Belgium in a game neither side wanted to win. It wouldn’t be the last time. With the Group G runners-up route looking most inviting, the salient memories of a drab game were Adnan Januzaj’s goal, and subsequent claims by Belgium ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois that he would have caught the effort which went beyond English counterpart Jordan Pickford.
The Three Lions then travelled to the Spartak Stadium for a Last 16 game against Colombia, intent on rectifying a woeful record of one win in their last 11 knockout matches. Los Cafeteros adopted a pragmatic approach which reflected the absence of star player James Rodriguez. In a fractious first half, Wilmar Barrios avoided a red card for a headbutt on Jordan Henderson despite VAR being in use. Colombia assistant manager Eduardo Urtasun’s unnecessary barge on Raheem Sterling at the interval gave the sense that tomorrow’s papers would tell of national injustice.
Just before the hour mark the man in black finally took exception to Colombia’s foul behaviour and awarded England a penalty. The irrepressible Kane picked himself up and fired down the middle to take the lead. Southgate’s men were in the ascendency up until the last minute of stoppage time when Mateus Aribe’s volley was stunningly saved by Pickford. Of course, Yerry Mina’s header from the following corner just had to bounce in off the bar, invoking that sinking feeling.
England rolled with the punches in an arduous period of extra-time which led to penalties. Both teams held their nerve until David Ospina called Henderson’s bluff. It was Argentina, West Germany (twice) and Portugal (twice) all over again. But Aribe hit the bar. Pickford’s pumping fists suggested this meant more than just a stay of execution. Kieran Trippier scored, then Pickford threw himself underneath Carlos Bacca’s effort, before thrusting a fluorescent green arm skyward and clawing the ball away! Dier’s nervous penalty squeezed under Ospina and caused an almighty bundle. It was inexplicable. It was ecstacy. It was our year; that thought genuinely seemed rational.
The Three Lions progressed to Samara and slayed Sweden with such ease that it made all the pre-match build up seem rather bathetic. The opposition were industrious but the men in red plucked up the heart and sinew to nullify Janne Andersson’s team. The headed goals of Maguire and Dele Alli were fantastic, but Pickford’s red-faced defiance was just as life-affirming; brilliantly denying Berg and then Claesson before offering out any blond-haired bastard who thought he might be hard enough.
Chris Waddle’s voice wobbled on the BBC World Cup Daily Podcast and we all felt, some of us for the first time, what it was like to see England fare well. Trippier’s perfect fifth minute free-kick at the Luzhniki Stadium would be the zenith of the campaign. The pendulum swung once Kane’s close-range effort was saved by the studs of wounded Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic. From the moment Ivan Perisic scored, time whizzed by with England living dangerously, and only slowed down when John Stones stopped to observe Mario Mandzukic’s astute finish. Over and out with nothing left to give.
England’s participation in the Third-Place Play-Off was, although obligatory, reminiscent of a boxer who had fought one bout too many; who could not go out on his own terms. Uribe was inches away from landing a knockout blow in the round of 16, and that would have removed most of the romance. It is difficult to know if the class of ’18 spurned a golden opportunity, or whether they deserve more credit.
