The head of a Luton Town fan group has hailed the unique post-Hatters managerial career of late legend Raddy Antic and admitted that supporters secretly hoped the he would return to coach the club.
The Serbian sadly passed away last week, aged 71, after a battle with pancreatitis, sparking an outpouring of tributes, not only in Bedfordshire, but in Catalonia, the Spanish capital and his homeland, who he led to the 2010 World Cup finals.
Town fans remember Antic fondly for scoring a dramatic late winner on the final day of the 1982/83 season to beat Manchester City in an old first division relegation do-or-die clash.
But he was equally revered in Spain where he is still the only man to have ever managed La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Luton Town Supporters’ Trust chairman Tony Murray said: “There was pride among Hatters fans that he went on to manage those clubs. He also won the Spanish double with Atletico Madrid in 1996 and he saved them from relegation when he went back for a second time.
“We were always secretly hoping that he would one day come back and manage us, but unfortunately it was never to be.
“But he came back a couple of years ago for an event and he had good things to say about Luton, considering he was at that level where he also managed Serbia as well.
“I would have thought that most footballer these days, if they could look back and have achieved what that guy achieved, they’d be so happy with their careers.”
Chairman of the Save Our Town campaign group, Nigel Green added: “Having gained his coaching badges Raddy went on to have a successful career in Spain managing a number of clubs including the ‘big three’ – Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. This feat was regularly talked about in reverential tones by many of the Luton faithful who continued to follow Raddy’s career.”
A former Yugoslavian international, Antic joined Luton from Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza and made 100 league appearances for Town in four years until he retired, to embark on a coaching career.
“I remember when we signed him, it was a big thing because he was our first ever foreign player,” said Murray, adding: “At the time, there was a big thing that British football wasn’t at the skill level that the Europeans were at.
“So, this Yugoslav player coming in was a big thing. I remember his debut at Upton Park against West Ham, and you could tell the guy was just class. He was one of these players who could head, use both feet and he was never rushed or hurried because of his positional sense and his timing. He had everything.
“As well as that, he was a very, very modest gentleman, but his influence on the Luton team when he played was just unbelievable. He brought a sense of calm into the game and we knew we would be keeping the ball.
“He could play in midfield or he could play in the sweeper role, that Italians called Libero.
“We also had Ricky Hill and Brian Horton, so we knew we had a great midfield.”
As he was at Manchester City in 1983, Antic was deployed as a substitute 49 times in 108 games for the Hatters.
Murray said: “He was our Mr Dependable on the bench. We knew if things weren’t going right or we needed to see the game out, Pleat would put him on.
“He was a very good all-round player and was probably one of the unsung heroes of the 81/82 side. It was probably one of the best campaigns I can remember because we only lost four games all season and we romped away with the second division title.
“He was just a classy performer and you knew when he came on that he would just control things. I don’t ever remember him making a mistake, he was just that good.”
Andy King, a member of the Hatters Heritage group, said of Antic: “I heard him speak twice recently and was touched by his modesty and humility. He had a great fondness for The Hatters. His family grew up here. He was a terrific guy and flew in from far and wide for reunions.”
