Jimmy Husband.  15th October 1947 – 9th March 2024

News has reached Kenilworth Road of the sad passing of Jimmy Husband at the age of 76 after a short illness.

Born in Newcastle, Jimmy was a highly regarded schoolboy footballer, and after playing for England schoolboys, was left with the choice of many clubs who coveted him. In 1963 he opted for League champions Everton.

Jimmy became a regular for the Goodison Park side, picking up several England under-23 caps, appeared in an FA Cup final in 1968 and won a League Championship medal in 1970. He would doubtless have picked up a full England cap but manager Alf Ramsey was averse to using wingers which was where he predominately played at the time.

Jimmy was fast and skilful with an eye for goal and became Luton manager Harry Haslam’s final piece in the jigsaw, in December 1973, as the Hatters sought successfully to win promotion to the top flight.

Scorer of many vital goals during that season and the next four years for the Town, Jimmy finished his career, along with many others, in the North American Soccer League.

His record of 48 goals in 162 first team games in Hatters colours confirmed his value to a side containing the likes of John Aston, Jim Ryan, Peter Anderson and the Futcher twins.

On his return to the UK, Jimmy settled in mid-Bedfordshire where he ran a pub and was a welcome guest of the club in 2005 for the Kenilworth Road Centenary celebrations.

Our condolences go out to all his family and friends.