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To kill the urban myth first off, John Lukic was not a survivor of
the Munich Air Disaster of 1958 (unless his mother had the longest
recorded human pregnancy) - although there was a stewardess of that
name on the flight. He displaced David Harvey and despite a
challenge from a young David Seaman, was Leeds' first choice keeper
for 4 years. With Leeds relegated and Lukic keen to press for more
recognition, he asked for a transfer and found himself immediately
dropped. Arsenal were more than happy to take him off Leeds' hands and
he enjoyed great success there in the late 1980s.
Howard Wilkinson brought him back to Elland Road to replace the
ageing but popular Mervyn Day, and Lukic had a superb season in
1991-92 as Leeds took the Championship. With the introduction of the
backpass rule, both Lukic and his defence suffered, and the chopping
and changing of the defence in front of him can't have helped his
confidence. He made a couple of horrendous blunders in 92-93 and one
in particular sticks out: without an away win in the league all
season, we were 1-0 up at Hillsborough with the last few seconds
ticking away. Lukic came for it, spilled it and Wednesday
equalised. And then there was the famous "floodlight" incident at
Ibrox.... Even so, he started the 93-94 season in goal but was
replaced by Mark Beeney. He won his place back towards the end of the
season and returned to Arsenal when Nigel Martyn was signed. He
continued to play for Arsenal, covering for David Seaman in the
Champions League and Premier League and acquitting himself well
despite his age. He finally retired from playing in summer 2000. He's
subsequently done some coaching for Arsenal, but not on a full-time
basis and is back in his native Chesterfield.
R Hietaniemi says: Hello! I am a Finnish footie fan and do really
love John, the only thing that makes me sorry that his career seems to
be over now. I don't ever give up hope to see him somewhere,
someday. If someone has significant information about him please email
me I would be really happy! (BlondKeeper@hotmail.com).
Richard says: His son John is in my form at Brookfield Community
School.
Phil Austin says: john luckic (his son) is my best mate.
S Bacon says: Amy Lukic one of his daughters is in my class at
St. Elphins school.
Sarah says: please tell me what john is up to now?
Chris Haggerty says: i am a Leeds fan and have been for years, my
hero was always Lukic! i even got a signed pair of is gloves for xmas
as my auntie worked at ellend rd! i also once seen him in the co-op in
Beeston near Elland Rd!
Sue says: Used to work at Arsenal while he was there and shared a
few drinks with him , and others, along the way. Really nice chap and
many were sad when he left.
Steve says: was his mother in the munich air disaster, and it was
maybe his sister who survived?
dave lavender wit 3 arms says: john was gud fellow a community man
his famous saying was suck my bald egg!!!!!
Ray says: i know john well he's a good mate of mine i went 2 his
house the other week. i also know mel from the leeds 91 92 team. plus
chris, eric, the uva john and rod he wos great with the ball at his
feet, a magician. I still remember Johns lil jink oh ah
Kevin says: I remember John from my schooldays at Newbold Green
School in Chesterfield. It was the middle of the winter, a time when
nobody wanted to be between the sticks, that is except John. He
stopped everything that was fired at him, we could never score with
him in the opposition's goals. I always knew he would be a pro, but
the best thing was to see him play for the team he had been a great
fan of for all those years, Leeds United. Good luck with your future
coaching career John. All the best KRD.
joe breslin says: oh ar my eggs av hatched that is wat john used to
say when we went to the ragleys in sheldon ! what a keeper he was an
good luck to him in his new profession - a radio maker at bishop
auckland
Mr Asquiff says: i saw john outside the blyth spartans training
facilities which are adequate, wen i asked 4 his auotgraph he sed 'ok
u dave prinsepp lookey likey'
Joseph Kirk says: I was sat next to him on a train today in
sheffield. I didn't talk to him though.
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