Mick Harford celebrates scoring for Luton Town against Manchester United in 1985. Photo: Getty Images/Mark Leach
Mick Harford has a rare distinction. The powerful centre-forward – a man considered by those who played against him to be the greatest footballer of his time and many eras – scored one of the goals when Luton Town beat Manchester United for the last time in March 1987.It was a far post shot past United goalkeeper Gary Bailey, who probably isn't on any list of the greatest goals of all time. But Harford remembers it with some pleasure.
“But I always remember the game against Manchester United,” he says. “It was always a great day, the game you were looking forward to from the moment the matches were called.”
Harford scores the ball in back post when Luton beat United in 1987
Harford speaks to Telegraph Sport on his way to watch the league match between the two sides, a match which has been resumed after a hiatus of 31 years. Currently a Luton ambassador, after three spells in the dugout (most recently in 2022 when he held the reins temporarily after Nathan Jones left for Southampton), he is driven to Manchester by his good friend Tony Coton, who turns out to be scout. for United.
It's a rebirth of the connection between the two clubs that was unexpectedly strong during Harford's time. On the day of Luton's final victory, there were three United-linked players on the pitch. Ashley Grimes was a United youth team player, while Mal Donaghy and Les Seely continued to play for them. Although, if Sir Alex Ferguson had had his way, Harford would have joined them too.
“There were a lot of rumors going around that he wanted to sign me,” Harford recalls. “He wrote in his book that he did make an offer, but David Pleat [Luton manager until 1986] didn’t want to sell me. I never had a say in the matter. This would never happen in today's game. It's one of those things I would really like to play for them. But I didn’t do it.”
Watching footage of the game 37 years later, it's clear what Ferguson saw in Harford. He combined his fearsome reputation with the skills of a master, abilities evident along the way to his goal. He is given a long ball on the edge of the United penalty area. He puts the ball on his chest and deftly pushes it to Brian Stein on the left flank. By the time Stein checks and passes the ball back to Peter Nicholas for a cross, Harford is already making his way across the box to the far post to accept the invitation to score.
Harford in action during Luton's last win over United in 1987. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo
“I'm not sure 'incredibly mobile' is a term I would use to describe myself,” he says. “But I quickly covered a few yards.”
Not that it was easy that day. At the center of United's defense was Paul McGrath, a player who made even a strong man swallow a little harder.
“I am regularly asked the question: which central midfielder have you had the most difficulty playing against?” He says. “And without the slightest doubt it was Paul McGrath. Look, I played against [Mark] Lawrenson, [Alan] Hansen, fantastic centre-backs. But there is no doubt that Paul was the best. He wasn't just a fantastic footballer, he was truly cool. He'd leave you some.”
As he does before Harford's goal, arriving late to smash his boot into an opponent's ankle in a challenge that would set alarm bells ringing in Stockley Park these days. Although Harford, despite attempting ligament surgery on the field, simply gets up and runs away. No doubt he was planning revenge.
“Playing against United, there was no need to motivate anyone,” he says. “You're up against [Brian] Robson, [Norman] Whiteside, McGrath, [Kevin] Moran, who are always ready to play. It was always difficult. And if you were not prepared for this, you would be shocked.”
However, in those days Luton had one exceptional advantage. Although there was already talk of building a new stadium outside the city, Kenilworth Road had recently been equipped with artificial turf. And Harford admits it really helped.
“Teams just weren't used to it, mostly the bounce,” he says. “But we trained on it all week leading up to the home game. We knew how to play on this, we knew how to frustrate teams and make their task more difficult. We tried to open them from a large area, tried to play quickly, move them quickly. And if we couldn’t finish the game, then there was plan B: to win it back at my discretion.”
On the bench that day was simply Alex Ferguson, who was in the early stages of United's rebuild. In the other, Luton manager John Moore. As characters they were very different: one was loud and energetic, the other quiet and studious. Moore succeeded David Plet last year and was due to retire next summer.
“He was in charge of the youth system and was a brilliant coach,” Harford says of Moore. “He did a great job, I really liked him. But I'm not sure he liked being the main man. He liked being in the background. But you can tell what a good manager he was: we finished that season in the highest league position Luton have ever held.”
Harford managed Luton in 2019 – one of three spells on the bench at Kenilworth Road. Photo: Getty Images/Clive Mason
His coaching was evident in the match against United. Having taken a two-goal lead (Stein scored the second), Luton found themselves under siege. Robson pulled the ball back for the visitors but Luton held on to the lead and his game management was exemplary.
Whiteside, Robson, Fergie: “I remember they were all very nice, then we all had a beer in the bar,” recalls Harford. “After that we Luton boys went into town. But then we went out into the city every Saturday evening. Ashley took us to Irish pubs. The locals always brought us some drinks. Honestly, I don't remember ever having to buy a drink when we won. Good times.”
And while alcohol consumption will undoubtedly be significantly reduced, Harford sees no reason why celebrations should not break out again after Saturday's match at Old Trafford.
“It’s going to make it harder for us,” he says. “Rob [Edwards, Luton manager] will prepare them for a C grade. And while we can't underestimate anyone, I believe we'll go there with the right attitude and be able to upset them. I would really like my album to be finished.”
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