Gordon Reginald Turner(7 June 1930 – 23 December 1976) was an Englishfootballer,who was best known as aLuton Towncentre forward.He is Luton Town's all-time top goalscorer, with 243 in the League and 276 overall.[2]
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gordon Reginald Turner | ||
| Date of birth | 7 June 1930 | ||
| Place of birth | Doncaster,West Riding of Yorkshire,England | ||
| Date of death | 23 December 1976[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1949–1964 | Luton Town | 406 | (243) |
| 1964–1967 | Wisbech Town | ||
| 1967–1968 | Kettering Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
editLuton Town
editBorn in Doncaster, the son of aHull Cityprofessional footballer, Turner began his own footballing career as a right sidedmidfielder.During hisnational servicein theRoyal Navy,two Chief Petty Officers, bothLutonians,saw his raw talent and tipped offDally Duncan,the manager ofLuton Town.Duncan happened to know the teenage Turner's father, having played alongside him for Hull—whether or not this influenced his judgement, Turner was signed on as an apprentice in 1949.[3][4]
He made his debut on 9 December 1950, in a 4–1 defeat atCoventry City,playing in midfield. However, the following season, he was given the opportunity to play up front and soon began scoring many goals, including a hat-trick in his fourth game.[3][4]
Over the next few seasons Turner developed into Luton's star player—he scored 32 goals during the1954–55season to secure top flight football atKenilworth Roadfor the first time, and continued to help Luton hold their own in theFirst Division.[3][4]
Turner was dropped from the team for theFA Cupfor the1958–59 seasondue to injury—despite Turner's absence, Luton marched to the final atWembleyto faceNottingham Forestin theirfirst Cup final.Despite Turner's return to fitness, Luton named an unchanged side, meaning Turner was still not picked. Luton lost 2–1.[3]
Turner's last Football League match came on 25 April 1964, as Luton beatWatford2–1 at Kenilworth Road. By his final game, he had scored 243 league goals for the club, and 276 in all competitions. Both of these figures stand as club records in 2009.[3][4]
Later career
editAfter he had retired from the League, Turner joined his former Luton team-mateJesse PyeatWisbech Town,where Pye wasplayer-manager.He then spent a season atKettering Town,scoring 37 goals.[3]
Turner contracted motor neurone disease when he was 41, and died two days before Christmas in 1976 at the age of 46.[3][1]