The chairman of a supporters’ group has paid tribute to the late Raddy Antic, saying his famous 1983 great escape goal at Manchester City was a “fairy-tale” made for the Hatters hero.
The Serbian passed away on Monday, aged 71, after a long battle with pancreatitis.
After a distinguished football career – in which he was the only person to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona – he will be most fondly remembered for scoring the goal that kept the Hatters in the top flight, inspiring manager David Pleat into a legendary beige-suited jig across the Maine Road pitch.
Luton Town Supporters’ Trust chief Tony Murray said of Antic’s death: “When I heard the news, I was absolutely gutted. He is very fondly remembered at Luton.”
A lifelong Hatter, who was there for that final day of the ’83 season showdown, which saw the hosts relegated as a result, Murray added: “That game against Manchester City, that was special. With the benefit of hindsight, the fact that he came on halfway through the second half for Wayne Turner, it was like a fairy-tale thing for him. It was set up for him.
“He was the one that scored the goal to keep us up and he’ll always be fondly remembered.
“We couldn’t believe it because we had a never say die attitude and positive attitude but, underneath it all, we thought ‘we’re down. We’ll just have to come straight back’.
“But once that goal went in it was fantastic, the relief. But those four minutes until the final whistle were probably the longest four minutes of my entire life.
“That goal and staying up set the platform for the success of the rest of the 80s because it proved that we could compete with the best.”
In a tribute on the club website, Hatters chairman David Wilkinson said of Antic: “Although he was an excellent player our main memory of his time with us boils down to one kick, and what a kick! Those of us who were there that day will never forget the tension being released by Raddy’s goal and Pleaty’s subsequent joyful jig.
“I remember watching many tearful City fans leaving the stadium and wondering if we were ever going to be let out, although we didn’t really care. The joy being somewhat diminished by the atmosphere on the way back to the station, but it soon picked up and still gets my heart beating faster nearly 40 years later.”
Captain of the side in 1983, Brian Horton, told the club’s website that learning of Antic’s death, “knocked me for six.”
He added of that goal at Manchester City: “I watched it again last night. I watched it a great deal, and my son sent me a video this morning, where Raddy scored somewhere and I’m running up to him.
“That day will live in the memory of all the fans and all the players that took part in that game. I still live in Manchester and went to manage Man City after that. I always remind them when I do their supporters’ branches about that day, because that was incredible wasn’t it?
“Three or four minutes left and Raddy pops up with the goal and David is running on the pitch. It’s just amazing, but it wasn’t just that one day. The first year we won the league by a mile. We were the best side by a mile.”
Former team-mates Ricky Hill and Paul Walsh also tweeted their condolences for their former friend.
Club historian Roger Wash wrote in an obituary to the former player: “Raddy though will always be remembered in Bedfordshire as the man who made it possible for David Pleat to set off on his famous jig across the Maine Road pitch! Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Pleat signed Antic from Real Zaragoza in 1980 and last year he was the guest at a Hatters Heritage evening where he spoke of the Serbian as one of his best ever signings. In an interview with talkSPORT, the former Hatters boss said: “He was a great, great man,” adding: “He became one of the most popular players that ever played for Luton Town, regardless of the goal that he scored and Manchester, which people remember him for.”
Nigel Green, the chairman of Save Our Town, added of that famous strike: “Raddy was elevated to hero status within the club,” adding: “Raddy didn’t start the match and came on as a late substitute which, at the time considering he was a defender, had Town fans questioning manager David Pleat’s judgement.
“History shows it was a good decision and, in the post-match euphoria, Raddy was typically unassuming when interviewed by John Motson television, playing down his newly-found heroic status amongst the Luton faithful.
“I had the privilege to meet Raddy in December 2018 at a Luton Town club function. Still the quiet man, he talked of his days at Luton Town with great affection and in a post dinner interview with David Pleat had those assembled enthralled with his life at the Town and in football. Rest in Peace Raddy.”
