Spurs vs Luton | Boot in both camps | Mitchell Thomas

It was no surprise that Mitchell Thomas was David Pleat's first signing as manager in the summer of 1986.

Luton-born, Mitchell joined the Hatters from school under the old Youth Opportunities Scheme in 1981 - under the stewardship of David Pleat. A tall, powerful full-back who loved to raid forward, Mitchell made his first team debut in February, 1983 and impressed enough to earn an England Under-21 cap in October, 1985.

After making over 100 league appearances for Luton, Mitchell followed Pleat to White Hart Lane in the summer of 1986. He made his debut in the league opener against Villa and went on to make 54 appearances in that famous 1986/87 campaign where, prompted by Pleat's change of tactics to five in midfield, and fired by Clive Allen's club record 49 goals, we finished third in Division One, reached the final of the FA Cup and semi-finals of the League Cup. Mitchell also earned an England 'B' cap in October, 1987.

However, the arrival of Pat van den Hauwe and the form of Chris Hughton saw less opportunities for Mitchell and he switched to West Ham in 1991. By then, Pleat had returned to Kenilworth Road, and Mitchell would follow in 1994 and go on to make another 186 league appearances. He moved to Burnley in 1999 and ended his career at Turf Moor in 2002.