After revealing that it was my intention to revive the ‘Legends Series’ it took no time at all for the suggestions to drop into my editorial inbox.
I announced my intentions via the following article – time-to-resurrect-the-legends-series – and all those players previously covered can be accessed via the link above.
Already, courtesy of the re-launch, I have covered – Ron Futcher – Stuart Douglas – Jean Louis Valois – Enoch Showunmi – Iain Dowie – Paul Walsh – Ron Davies – Peter Nicholas – Kirk Stephens – Liam George and – Tim Breacker – while also, in an off-shoot series relating to those who impressed while on loan with Luton Town Football Club, I have covered – Rory Allen – Sean Dyche – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Steve Sutton – Jaroslaw Fojut – David Geddes – Ethan Horvath – Cody Drameh – Issa Kabore – Cameron Carter-Vickers – and – James Bree – with more in the ‘loan’ series to follow.
However, the next subject in the ‘legends’ is James Justin, as suggested by Dave Jones.
When it comes to a local lad making good, James Justin is the perfect example.
Not only was James born in Luton, but he attended the same school as my children, Putteridge, while also paying, as a youngster, for Crawley Green, just a stones throw from my humble abode.
His footballing skills were recognised at a very early age with James joining Luton Town at the age of seven.
During his younger days, in the youth set-up, the young defender was part of the Luton side that beat the legendary Bayern Munich, in the Aarau Masters, in 2009.
Progressing, appearances in the U18 side, when just 16-years-of-age, were to follow with, occasionally, James playing the central midfielder role.
Seen as definitely one for the future, James signed his first professional contract in November 2015.
His debut for the first team came in the last game of the 2015/2016 season, against Exeter City, coming on as a substitute in thee 83rd minute, in a game the Hatters won 4-1.
The 2016/2017 season saw James break into the first team, making his full debut, as a left-back, in the EFL Cup tie against Aston Villa.
His full league debut came soon after in September against Doncaster Rovers.
James progress was recognised after he had made just 14 appearances for the club when he was awarded a new 30-month contract.
Now established at right-back, the popular player scored his first goal for Luton Town against Accrington Stanley, in April 2017.
The progress made by James was such that in July 2017, the club rejected a bid, said to be of £1,000,000 from Nottingham Forest for his services.
Two further contract extensions followed, the first coming soon after the bid for his services from Nottingham Forst and the second when Luton Town won promotion, triggering a clause in his existing contract.
But the 2017/2018 season saw James restricted to 22 appearances, courtesy of niggling injuries he picked up.
The following season was to be James last at Kenilworth Road, but what a season it turned out to be for the Hatters, taking advantage of an injury to Dan Potts, the right-back slot became his on a permanent basis and he went on to make 53 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals, as Luton Town achieved back-to-back promotions.
That season James won the Luton Town Young Player of the Season, for a second time.
Unfortunately, in June 2019, James bade farewell to Kenilworth Road, signing for Leicester City for a reputed £8,000,000.
After making a total of 114 appearances, scoring 6 times, the home-grown, exciting right-back, had moved to pastures new.
Currently, James is enjoying Premier League football with Leeds United, who he joined in August 2025 for a fee said to also be £8,000,000 but also with the possibility of another £2,000,000 in add-ons.
Mini Fact File – James Justin
Full Name – James Michael Justin
Date of Birth – 23-February-1998
Place of Birth – Luton, England
Position – Full Back
Height – 6 feet 0 inches
Youth – Luton Town
Career – Luton Town, Leicester City, Leeds United
International Stage – England U20, England U21, England
But what are your memories of James Justin when it comes to his time with Luton Town Football Club?
Please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
Also, if you would like to see any players I have not covered in either the original or this series, please feel free to also drop their names into the same facility.
I currently have a long list of those you would like to see covered, but I promise they will get done this summer, even those suggested that played for the Hatters when I was still a figment of my parents imagination!
COYH
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Mad Hatter
Left school at 16 and spent nigh on 44 years in the Aviation industry both on the shop floor and in the offices. Writing has been a hobby / passion of his since Vital Football started and for the last decade the editorial role at Vital Luton Town has been…