News has reached Kenilworth Road of the sudden and sad death of Alan Garner at the young age of 69.
Walworth born Alan joined local club Millwall from school but made only two League appearances for the Lions before being released in 1971 and snapped up by the Hatters on the recommendation of scout Harry Haslam who had been trailing him.
Alan had to bide his time initially but when Chris Nicholl was sold to Aston Villa in March 1972 he immediately stepped up to the first team where he eventually formed a solid central defensive partnership with John Faulkner.
A stylish and skilful centre-half with the added benefit of a prodigious long throw, Alan was ever present in the Town side that won promotion to the top flight in 1974 before losing his place to the teenage prodigy Paul Futcher.
After 112 first team appearances for the Hatters, Alan moved to Watford in February 1975 where he played over 200 times and won promotion twice. Finishing his Football League career at Portsmouth, Alan then went on to play for Barnet, Chesham and Barton Rovers before hanging up his boots to concentrate on his local double glazing bisiness.
At one time Alan had an executive box at Kenilworth Road and, although preferring the golf course, always kept an active eye on anything to do with the Hatters and was a welcome guest to a game alongside old playing colleagues Peter Anderson, David Court and Ken Goodeve a couple of seasons ago.
Our condolences go out to wife Sylvia and all his family and friends.