Harford will forever be remembered for leading Luton to one of the club's greatest achievements, a victory over Arsenal in the League Cup in the late eighties. After two years in charge at Fulham he left the Londoners to become John Moore's assistant at Kenilworth Road, before taking over as Manager in June 1987 and steering the club through one of the most successful chapters in the club's history. In his first season he led the club to a top ten finish in Division One before they picked up their first major trophy with the famous victory over the Gunners. He also saw his side defeated to eventual winners Wimbledon in the semi-final of the F.A. Cup and watched them become runners-up in the Simod Cup. The following season he again took Luton to Wembley, where they lost the League Cup final.

As a player he appeared for Charlton, Exeter, Lincoln, Mansfield, Port Vale and Colchester but it was as a coach that he really made his mark in football, going on to be regarded by many as one of the finest coaches of his generation.

His career as a coach and manager took in spells with Fulham, Wimbledon, Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion, Derby, Luton and Blackburn Rovers, where as number two to Kenny Dalglish he coached the Ewood Park outfit to the Premiership title before taking over as manager himself. He was then persuaded to come out of retirement to take up a coaching role with Millwall under Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary and he played a major role in the Lions' Second Division championship success.

His many, many friends at Luton are saddened to learn of his death and our sincere condolences are with Ray's family during this difficult time.
 
A minute's silence in memory of Ray Harford will be held before Tuesday's Carling Cup match with Yeovil.