I almost signed for Man Utd under Fergie but then I derailed their title bid

MICK HARFORD has fond memories of Manchester United at Kenilworth Road.

Luton's chief recruitment officer scored a header in the last league match between the sides in April 1992 – a 1-1 draw – not long after Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him for the Red Devils.

Mick Harford celebrates his goal against Man Utd as Denis Irwin looks on

Ferguson regretted not bringing the hardman – who had two spells with the Hatters – to Old Trafford as Leeds won the First Division title 32 years ago.

Fergie believed that Harford could have been the difference in United's bid to end their long wait, dating back to 1967, for the league title.

Harford, who also scored the last time Luton defeated today's opponents in 1987, looked back with pride as United arrived in Bedfordshire for their Premier League match.

Of his 1992 goal, he recalled: “David Preece was a fantastic player and had pinpoint accuracy. It was me and Denis Irwin at the far post.

“I got over him, the ball hit the corner of the crossbar, came back and I was the first to react.

“Peter Schmeichel was still on the ground, so great memories against United.”

Harford, who has had a 40-year association with Luton since joining from Birmingham in 1984, says his favorite position to score goals was at the back post.

And he scored a trademark strike against United in March 1987 when goals from the twice-capped England star and Brian Stein sealed a famous 2-1 win as Luton finished seventh in the First Division – the highest finish in the club's history.

Harford (right) struck early – he was involved in the action twice before popping up to volley Peter Nicholas' cross.

The former striker added: “Scoring against Manchester United is always something you remember.

Tom Lockyer receives a hero's welcome as he returns to the Luton field for the first time since his cardiac arrest

“They had world-class players like Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside. But without great teammates you can't score goals and we had some fantastic players too.

“I would try to hold the ball up, set up the play and get into the penalty area. And my favorite position was pulling away at the far post.”

It was during Harford's second spell at Kenilworth Road that Ferguson tried to sign him.

Harford said: “I wasn't aware of anything! If I had an agent, or now I did, I would have done that.

'The first I knew was when Sir Alex put it in his book.'

Luton's draw against United helped their hopes of staying in the top flight. But a final day defeat at already relegated Notts County saw the Hatters go down.

Harford said: “That was a brutal day. For us to go down and the Premier League to start the following season was a huge blow.”

Luton's Championship play-off final penalty shootout against Coventry last May sealed their return to the big time.

Harford has seen it all as a caretaker boss and in many other roles for FOUR separate stints since 2001.

Promotion, Football League Trophy success, 30-point deduction, relegation to the National League – and then the fairytale comeback that ended with promotion to the Prem.

Legend Harford is now Luton's chief recruitment officer

Harford, Chief Recruitment Officer since 2016, said: “I am so proud.
“Everyone has made a wonderful contribution, from the cleaning ladies to the manager, the board and the general manager.

“It has been a fantastic journey. It is a challenge that we have taken on and that we cherish immensely.”

Luton's astonishing story already had plenty of neutral factors pushing them to stay up, but then captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during their Prem match at Bournemouth on December 16.

Harford said: “It was a terrible incident. We think about Tom every day. It's always great to see him, he's doing great.

“Maybe we will get a little sympathy from the outside audience.

“But we are a good club and have the ammunition to give it a good chance.”

The 65-year-old Harford was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021.

After the radiotherapy treatment, he is now no longer allowed to take any medications as his condition is still being monitored.

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After everything Harford and Luton have been through, his tough reputation is a thing of the past.

Harford said, “I've completely softened over the years. I am very emotional. I cry when I watch Forrest Gump on TV!

“This is a special club. It would mean the world to me and everyone here to stay in the Premier League.”