No Thanks – Stefan Oakes
Whilst we’re on the subject of my childhood, those who have read my book will know that for a while, I was a two-team child. For those who don’t know that, you’d best get on Amazon using the link provided…
Anyway, to stop me being bullied Dad told me I had to support a ‘big’ team so I picked Luton Town out of my Panini sticker album. From 1986/87 to the early nineties I followed both clubs, and one player I really liked was Scott Oakes. He came through at Luton and impressed me immensely, not only for his skills but also because his Dad was in Showaddywaddy, a record I had as a kid (my parents gave me their record players and a handful of their records to keep in my bedroom).
Years later, when I heard we were signing Stefan Oakes from Wycombe, I was delighted. Sweet delivery was the order of the day for this lad; I’d seen him play for them and he’d done damage against us. Many years later, perhaps I hoped to write an article thanking him for being part of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ that Peter Jackson signed.
Oh, how I would be disappointed. Oakes ambled around the field looking disinterested and confused. Jackson’s tactics surely didn’t help, if there were any. When Oakes did get a chance to deliver a ball, it was alright. At best. He was often injured, often missing and very rarely excellent.
He could have done more for us. I think we got a player at the wrong stage of his career and I’ve no doubt he was great for them. Just not for us. At all.
I think Ainsworth would definitely be a contender if the Cowleys went.
The only good thing I remember from Oakes’ time at Sincil Bank was a glorious 40 yard pass he made that led to the winning goal against Bournemouth in 2008. Was the only time that Jackson’s quote ‘His left foot can peel carrots’ seemed to be true.
It was Monday, under the sign of Taurus (see birth chart on May 2, 1988). The US president was Ronald Reagan (Republican). Famous people born on this day include Alireza Haghighi and Lara Liang.