Luton Town Football Club

Information wanted about players, and photographs from Victorian times

THIS PAGE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SITE SINCE IT WAS PUBLISHED IN 2015, AND WE ARE THEREFORE RE-PUBLISHING IT. ed. 

Brian Webb writes:

I am researching Luton Town Football Club (LTFC) in the Victorian era.  I am publishing my findings on my website thestrawplaiters.com

You will see that there is an Ancestry button on my site to enable people to check if their ancestors played for LTFC or were on the committee.  St. George’s School had a very good team in 1890/91 and gave LTFC some tough games.  So tough that LTFC invited four Masters to play for them.

I am keen to gather information on all the men who were involved in the club at this time.  I will also do a piece on the School for my website.  I wonder if anyone has any photos of Harpenden footballers in 1890/91 or the St. George’s School team.

I see from your excellent site www.harpenden-history.org.uk that there are some names familiar to me.  The names of Steabben and Samwells in particular.  There was an Arthur John Steabben and William Alfred Samwells on the LTFC committee.  I wonder if there is any connection to the families mentioned on your site.

If anyone has any photos/ information do send them to Brian but please also send me a copy for our archives and website (please give us permission to add to the website if you are happy for this or add them yourself) – enquiries@harpenden-history.org.uk 

Comments about this page

  • Brian, there is indeed a connection between William Alfred Samwells (1863-94) and the “Samwells Family in Harpenden” on this site. William’s father Joseph Samwells (1825-75) was a younger brother of William Samwells (1823-1901) Licensed Victualler at the George Hotel (Colin’s great grandfather).

    By Anne Samwells (06/12/2023)
  • On further investigation, I have realized that the William SAMWELLS in my mother’s family tree could not have the William referred to in the article on Luton Town FC. My William, was born in 1913 (parents Fred and Lillian whereas the other William was a Committee Member in 1898. I am sure that they were all interrelated but have yet to establish the links positively. Hopefully more to follow.

    By Colin Gaskin (05/04/2015)
  • I believe that William Alfred SAMWELLS was related to my mother’s family who lived in Harpenden for many years, although I cannot at the moment determine that exact relationship. William’s parents were Fred and Lilian (nee LOWIN) married in Luton in 1913. Fred’s birth was registered in Luton in December 1886 but have not yet been able to trace his parents.

    By Colin Gaskin (01/04/2015)

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