FA Cup winning goalkeeper and Luton Town icon Milija Aleksic has died aged 61.
Aleksic, who began his career at Stafford Rangers in the non-league, went on to make nearly 100 appearances for the Hatters.
A statement on the Luton website said: “Everyone at Kenilworth Road was saddened to learn of the sudden passing of former Hatters goalkeeper Milija Aleksic in Johannesburg on Wednesday…our condolences go out to his family and friends.”
After making his name with Stafford Rangers, which included winning the FA Trophy in 1972, he moved to Plymouth Argyle in 1973.
He won promotion with Argyle to Division Two before being bought by Luton manager Harry Haslam, initially as an understudy to Keith Barber.
Arriving in November 1976 at Kenilworth Road (pictured), the fans quickly grew a strong appreciation for Aleksic, nicknaming him ‘Elastic’ for his quick and instinctive reflexes.
He became the number one choice at the club over his two full seasons with Luton before earning a big money move at the time, which was a transfer to Tottenham for £100,000 in 1978.
Three years later, he won an FA Cup winners medal in the famous Ricky Villa final against Manchester City.
Ray Clemence’s arrival saw him frozen out of the picture in north London and he returned to Luton for a brief loan spell in 1982, before moving to South Africa in a coaching capacity.
Upon his sad death, he had been working at The Golfers Club in Johannesburg selling golf equipment.
Luton advanced into the first round proper of the FA Cup on Saturday, with a 2-0 fourth qualifying round victory over Cambridge United.
By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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