Where Are They Now?                                   Profiles of ex-Luton players

Ian Feuer

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Height: 6 ft 07". Weight: 14 st. Born: Las Vegas, 20.05.1971. Nationality: United States of America. International Honours: United States of America: 1 full cap.

Giant American goalkeeper Ian Feuer was born in Las Vegas on May 20th 1971 and the 6 ft 7" shot-stopper would go on to become a huge favourite at Luton Town.

Feuer became one of the first American goalkeepers to sign for a European team - and the first in Belgium - when he signed for FC Brugge in 1988.  During this spell with the Belgians, he joined First Division rivals RWD Molenbeek on loan in 1991 and he made 19 League appearances before returning to his native United States to join Los Angeles Salsa - where he won the 1992-93 Rookie Goalkeeper of the Year award.

In 1994 he was on the move again as West Ham United made the move to take Feuer to England in a £70,000 deal - making him the first American goalkeeper to sign for an English Premier League team.  He did, however, fail to make a single first-team appearance with the Hammers and in February 1995 he was loaned to Peterborough United where he made his League debut and went on to enjoy a successful loan spell, playing in a total of 16 League matches.

Feuer in action for the Hatters.

Feuer then joined Luton Town on a three-month loan in September 1995. After enjoying much success in 14 League matches for Luton, the club purchased his contract outright in December for £600,000. Feuer would experience a great run at Luton, in fact being named "Player of the Year" and "Fans’ Player of the Year" as well as runner-up for the best goalkeeper in the Division for the 1995-96 season. His success at Luton would continue until August 1997, when he tore a muscle in his shoulder in a match against Southend United. The injury brought to a halt his impressive streak of 90 consecutive League appearances. Sidelined by injury, Feuer was forced to watch as England Under-21 International goalkeeper Kelvin Davis assumed goalkeeping duties and played well enough that when Feuer returned to fitness, he would be sold to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer in March of 1998 after 85 League appearances for the Hatters, much to the disappointment of the Luton fans.

Speaking exclusively to Lutonfc.com about his time with the Hatters, Feuer said, "One of the biggest regrets I have was leaving Luton.  I never wanted to leave, but at the time things were different and after long discussions with the then manager (Lennie Lawrence), I felt that my time was limited and we were on two different wave lengths.  A lot of it was my fault!  I was so passionate about the club.  Every little thing that went wrong with it got to me!  I remember when I was injured and was watching the derby against Watford and we lost 0-4 (it hurts to say that!), I was so frustrated at not being able to be out there and it affected me for weeks!  I have learned from it since and have become a thousand times better for it."

Speaking of his rise to becoming a professional, Feuer said, "I left my home when I was 16 and had a friend who knew a few football people over in Belgium.  He got me a trial with one of the top teams, FC Brugge, and they signed me as an apprentice.  A year later I became the third choice goalkeeper, and then the following year I was second choice.  I then got loaned out to RWD Molenbeek in the same Division and played about 20 games for them.  I then got spotted by West Ham United and the rest is history!"

Back in the United States, Feuer was runner-up for the New England Revolution "Player of the Year" award during the 1998-99 season.

Feuer salutes the Rushden fans after helping them to a draw with Leeds.

In December 1998, Feuer answered an SOS call from Rushden & Diamonds, who were experiencing goalkeeping troubles ahead of a big FA Cup clash with Premiership side Leeds United.  He gave a tremendous performance to earn the side a 0-0 draw at home and then nearly helped cause an upset in the replay at Elland Road as the Diamonds took the lead before eventually bowing out 1-3.

After these two brief appearances, Feuer moved back to the United States as he joined Colorado Rapids.  His stay with the club was brief as he moved back to Britain to join Cardiff City on a monthly contract in December 1999.  He was used as a backup goalkeeper at Ninian Park and failed to make a first-team appearance before returning to his first English club, West Ham United, in February 2000.  He made 3 Premiership appearances for the Hammers prior to being released at the end of the season.  He then signed for Wimbledon where, for the second time in his career, he became understudy to Kelvin Davis.  After 5 League appearances in just over 2 years for the Dons (during which time he had a loan spell with then Premiership side Derby County, playing 2 matches) Feuer had brief spells on trial with Wycombe Wanderers and Premiership giants Arsenal and on non-contract basis' with Tranmere Rovers (2 appearances) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (0 appearances) before returning to the United States where he became a goalkeeping coach and continues to train with MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy.

Feuer in the United States.

Continuing his exclusive interview with Lutonfc.com, Feuer said, "I am currently training with the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS (January 2004).  I became a free agent last year when all of the ITV Digital stuff happened.  Nobody really purchased or could sell during that transfer period, so I was forced to come back to the United States for financial reasons.  I still have high hopes of coming back because playing in the Premiership with West Ham United and Derby County and being on trial with Arsenal for three weeks and impressing them so much that I was a whisker away from signing with them really boosted my confidence!

"At the moment I am coaching goalkeepers and I am really enjoying it and getting great results!  I would love to come back to Luton Town as player/goalkeeping coach!  I still feel I have a good 6 or 7 years left in me to play though, so I wouldn't train the other goalkeepers too well if you know what I mean!"

Profile By:  James Garley