Almost a local boy, having moved to Luton at the age of 14, the young Bruce Rioch was tempted to Kenilworth Road by scout George Martin and signed professional forms in September 1964.

Making his debut later on that month in a League Cup tie, Rioch was in and out of the side during his first two years at the club while he learnt his trade, but was at the top of his profession when the Hatters walked away with the Division Four championship in 1968.

Showing blistering power, while attacking from deep, and a hammer shot, Rioch blasted 24 goals during that promotion-winning campaign and became the darling of the terraces. He started off the following season in the same vein and although a cartilage operation cut his appearances it was obvious to everyone that he was far too good for Division Three and as the club's back-to back promotion attempts petered out, transfer speculation abounded.

The final choice of club, Aston Villa, was a strange one as they were in Division Two at the time but they were prepared to pay £100,000, a record for the division. 'Rioch for England' chanted the Luton supporters during his time at Kenilworth Road, little knowing that he would eventually turn out 24 times for Scotland, the birthplace of his father, and lead them to the World Cup finals.

Luton Town league debut: November 28th 1964 v Southend (home) lost 0-1.

Last Luton Town appearance: April 30th 1969 v Watford (home) won 2-1.

Luton Town league appearances: 149 Goals 47