Johntylad
Midland League Division One
Posts: 274
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Post by Johntylad on Jun 17, 2014 8:24:28 GMT 1
Anyone know anything of this chap..? Trying to track him down. Salop born and played for us in the early 60s before moving onto Swindon. A Luton Town legend for the goals he scored there including this one against Mansfield in 1968- but also being a bit of a rogue! read the comments below this cheeky lob- Most of been able to find out so far is he was last heard of living in Wolverhampton- any help appreciated!
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Post by siabod on Jun 17, 2014 9:33:30 GMT 1
Think he got on "The wrong side of the law" before his transfer to Swindon and perhaps again after. (Alleged)
Great talent.
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Post by davewill on Jun 17, 2014 10:00:06 GMT 1
From Wiki
Graham Edward French (also known as Graham Edward Lafite) is an English former professional footballer, who was best known as a winger for Luton Town.
French started his career as an apprentice with his home town club Shrewsbury Town, and signed professionally in 1961. The talented young winger became an England youth international, and Chelsea boss Tommy Docherty was interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge – however, Docherty was put off by French's suspect temperament, and he signed for Swindon instead. He left for Watford a year later, who let him go after only four games to join non-League Wellington Town (Telford Utd)
Later career A shooting incident in a pub in 1970 resulted in him serving a three-year prison sentence.[1][6][7] Luton Town gave him the chance to return on his release, but prison life had taken its toll on French, and he was unable to regain his place in the team.[1][6] A short loan spell at Reading proved to be a last hurrah, and he soon left to play in the United States with the Boston Minutemen.[8] He only made three appearances for the Minutemen, and spent two years out of the game before reappearing in 1976 with Southport under the assumed name of Graham Lafite.
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Johntylad
Midland League Division One
Posts: 274
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Post by Johntylad on Jun 17, 2014 10:02:12 GMT 1
thanks for the replies..this much ^^ I know but after all remains a bit of a mystery...
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Post by scooter on Jun 17, 2014 12:35:04 GMT 1
From Wiki Graham Edward French (also known as Graham Edward Lafite) is an English former professional footballer, who was best known as a winger for Luton Town. French started his career as an apprentice with his home town club Shrewsbury Town, and signed professionally in 1961. The talented young winger became an England youth international, and Chelsea boss Tommy Docherty was interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge – however, Docherty was put off by French's suspect temperament, and he signed for Swindon instead. He left for Watford a year later, who let him go after only four games to join non-League Wellington Town (Telford Utd) Later career A shooting incident in a pub in 1970 resulted in him serving a three-year prison sentence.[1][6][7] Luton Town gave him the chance to return on his release, but prison life had taken its toll on French, and he was unable to regain his place in the team.[1][6] A short loan spell at Reading proved to be a last hurrah, and he soon left to play in the United States with the Boston Minutemen.[8] He only made three appearances for the Minutemen, and spent two years out of the game before reappearing in 1976 I don't think we with Southport under the assumed name of Graham Lafite. I don't think he was local, I thought he came here after already being in trouble at a previous club as a yong trainee (Huddersfield ?) I have talked about him with a Town player who there at the time and it seems he was pretty wild, boozing, gambling partying etc. No idea where he is now though though
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Post by The Shropshire Tenor on Jun 17, 2014 13:58:22 GMT 1
"An unsavoury man with synthetic glamour" according to the judge at his trial.
Played for the England team that won the Little World Cup in 1963 and one of the most naturally gifted players I've seen in a Town shirt. A big man, around 14 stone, but with quick feet and a brilliant dribbler.
Born in Wolverhampton and an apprentice with us making his first team debut at 16.
Got 3 years for attempted murder when he was 25 and playing or Luton.
There was an article about him in the Winter 2008/09 issue of Backpass magazine, at that time his whereabouts were unknown.
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Johntylad
Midland League Division One
Posts: 274
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Post by Johntylad on Jun 17, 2014 14:17:05 GMT 1
Thank you- appreciated!
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Post by garyhcricket on Jul 28, 2014 20:20:03 GMT 1
Hi
Looks like there are 2 of us looking for Graham....I have found that he now lives in Yardley, but does not welcome visitors (was told this by someone who knocked on his door and was not welcomed). I'm after an autograph but have put him in the very difficult/impossible category, but maybe someone knows more ?
Gary
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Post by garyhcricket on Jul 28, 2014 20:21:34 GMT 1
P.S Any idea of Alan Rivers current whereabouts ?
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Johntylad
Midland League Division One
Posts: 274
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Post by Johntylad on Jul 28, 2014 20:48:52 GMT 1
Hi Looks like there are 2 of us looking for Graham....I have found that he now lives in Yardley, but does not welcome visitors (was told this by someone who knocked on his door and was not welcomed). I'm after an autograph but have put him in the very difficult/impossible category, but maybe someone knows more ? Gary Yardley in Birmingham? I had just about given up tbh as any reports I did get didn't sound good
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Post by albionshrew on Jul 28, 2014 23:29:17 GMT 1
Whatever happened to Graham Turner?
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Post by scooter on Jul 29, 2014 0:13:16 GMT 1
Whatever happened to Graham Turner? i don't see the connection - GT has retired to his home in Herefordshire
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Post by salopiankiwi on Jul 29, 2014 6:07:09 GMT 1
I seem to remember that Graham French was a relative of the then Town Manager, but can't remember who the Manager was!
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Post by garyhcricket on Jul 29, 2014 7:46:34 GMT 1
Yes, Yardley in Birmingham, but doesn't seem a very happy chap !
Do you have anu idea where Alan Rivers is now ?
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Johntylad
Midland League Division One
Posts: 274
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Post by Johntylad on Jul 29, 2014 9:33:35 GMT 1
Yes, Yardley in Birmingham, but doesn't seem a very happy chap ! Do you have anu idea where Alan Rivers is now ? I'm afraid???not mate
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Post by albionshrew on Jul 29, 2014 21:53:46 GMT 1
Whatever happened to Graham Turner? i don't see the connection - GT has retired to his home in Herefordshire No connection at all. Maybe there's an element of humour in my comment somewhere? Maybe not…
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Post by lancsman on Jul 30, 2014 12:01:01 GMT 1
Hi all. Yes Graham French was an undoubted talent. I remember seeing him play at the Meadow and was showing full backs and half backs clean heals at will. He got into the international set up and played a few games and exhibited his skills at that level. Unfortunately, his ethics re training and punctuality were extremely questionable. He also courted the criminal fraternity and that above all was his downfall.
Why is it that players who can turn up with their talent and do the business without so much as a by your leave are the ones who get into trouble off the pitch.......George Best comes to mind.
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Post by lancsman on Jul 30, 2014 12:01:47 GMT 1
Hi all. Yes Graham French was an undoubted talent. I remember seeing him play at the Meadow and was showing full backs and half backs clean heals at will. He got into the international set up and played a few games and exhibited his skills at that level. Unfortunately, his ethics re training and punctuality were extremely questionable. He also courted the criminal fraternity and that above all was his downfall.
Why is it that players who can turn up with their talent and do the business without so much as a by your leave are the ones who get into trouble off the pitch.......George Best comes to mind.
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