'Skipper Mike Keen gets a Hat-Trick to Shatter Luton'
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2025 5:35 pm
Team: Springett, Brady(P), Nash, Hazell, Brady (R), Keen, Morgan (I), Collins, Leary,
Bedford, Morgan (R).
Attendance: 5,175
The R’s had lost 0-2 at Carlisle the previous week, but the 6th November 1964 was certainly
a memorable ‘Friday Night is Rangers Night’ occasion! A report of the match follows:
‘One down after 13 minutes, Rangers staged a ruthless, second-half blitzkrieg at Loftus Road
on Friday night. And the man behind the goal-storm? Who else but skipper Mike Keen, the #
half-back whose lethal shooting power has brought him 10 goals this season, including three
against Luton.
Keen stamped his personality all over this game. He slammed in two penalties with contemptuous
ease, flicked in another goal with his head and laid on another two for his inside-forward Brian Bedford.
Luton took the lead in the 13th minute when Peter Springett allowed a feeble shot from Pleat to sneak
into the net. And they still looked capable of taking at least one point home even after Bedford had
soared above their defence to nod home the equaliser from Ian Morgan’s cross.
Then came the two disputed penalty decisions in favour of Rangers. Keen ended all controversy by
planting each ball coldly and methodically into the net. Luton were down but not out.
Trailing 1-3 they still weren’t prepared to concede defeat so Keen marshalled his attack and prepared
to deliver the death blow. Four goals in less than 10 minutes was the result.
In the 72nd minute, Keen brought the ball upfield with the Luton defence shrinking before him. A long
defence-splitting lob found Brian Bedford who had an easy chance to beat Tinsley from close range.
Three minutes later teenager Roger Morgan crashed in number five after the unhappy Tinsley had punched
clear. In the 78th minute it was Keen again. His long, accurate throw-in found Bedford in an easy position
to complete his hat-trick.
Just to tidy things up Keen decided to complete his own hat-trick and his perfect header from an Ian Morgan
centre was a fitting climax to a night of personal glory.
Andy Beattie – the new Wolves manager – was at the game keeping an eye on Keen and right-half Tony Hazell.
On this form these two must rate as the best wing-half pair in the Third Division. Small wonder that manager
Alec Stock has said that they are not for sale.
Luckless Luton have now gone 16 games without a win. Before the game was over Keen, the Morgan twins,
Bedford and Hazell had ripped their defence to shreds and reduced the whole side to a shell-shocked shambles.’
Two junior members were entertained as guests of the Club: W. Gamble from the local Cleverly Estate and
C. J. King of Old Oak Common Lane. Also in attendance that night was the legendary Ivor Powell from Bath City,
FA Cup opponents the following week.
Many thanks to Bradleyog for kindly donating his mid-60’s scrapbook and to Gordon Macey (RIP) of course
Bedford, Morgan (R).
Attendance: 5,175
The R’s had lost 0-2 at Carlisle the previous week, but the 6th November 1964 was certainly
a memorable ‘Friday Night is Rangers Night’ occasion! A report of the match follows:
‘One down after 13 minutes, Rangers staged a ruthless, second-half blitzkrieg at Loftus Road
on Friday night. And the man behind the goal-storm? Who else but skipper Mike Keen, the #
half-back whose lethal shooting power has brought him 10 goals this season, including three
against Luton.
Keen stamped his personality all over this game. He slammed in two penalties with contemptuous
ease, flicked in another goal with his head and laid on another two for his inside-forward Brian Bedford.
Luton took the lead in the 13th minute when Peter Springett allowed a feeble shot from Pleat to sneak
into the net. And they still looked capable of taking at least one point home even after Bedford had
soared above their defence to nod home the equaliser from Ian Morgan’s cross.
Then came the two disputed penalty decisions in favour of Rangers. Keen ended all controversy by
planting each ball coldly and methodically into the net. Luton were down but not out.
Trailing 1-3 they still weren’t prepared to concede defeat so Keen marshalled his attack and prepared
to deliver the death blow. Four goals in less than 10 minutes was the result.
In the 72nd minute, Keen brought the ball upfield with the Luton defence shrinking before him. A long
defence-splitting lob found Brian Bedford who had an easy chance to beat Tinsley from close range.
Three minutes later teenager Roger Morgan crashed in number five after the unhappy Tinsley had punched
clear. In the 78th minute it was Keen again. His long, accurate throw-in found Bedford in an easy position
to complete his hat-trick.
Just to tidy things up Keen decided to complete his own hat-trick and his perfect header from an Ian Morgan
centre was a fitting climax to a night of personal glory.
Andy Beattie – the new Wolves manager – was at the game keeping an eye on Keen and right-half Tony Hazell.
On this form these two must rate as the best wing-half pair in the Third Division. Small wonder that manager
Alec Stock has said that they are not for sale.
Luckless Luton have now gone 16 games without a win. Before the game was over Keen, the Morgan twins,
Bedford and Hazell had ripped their defence to shreds and reduced the whole side to a shell-shocked shambles.’
Two junior members were entertained as guests of the Club: W. Gamble from the local Cleverly Estate and
C. J. King of Old Oak Common Lane. Also in attendance that night was the legendary Ivor Powell from Bath City,
FA Cup opponents the following week.
Many thanks to Bradleyog for kindly donating his mid-60’s scrapbook and to Gordon Macey (RIP) of course