Louis "Lucke" Matus began his playing career at Kensington Polytechnic as a center back. His team mates
included such well-known personalities as Lubbe Snoyman, Tommy Fitzgerald, Bobby Styles, Frank Carrol,
Sonny Raaf,Vicky Bowles and Ritchie Varley.
Lucke became a Foundation Member of Balfour Park in 1935, and after a kick in the eye prematurely ended
his playing career, he turned his thoughts to administration-serving as Chairman of the Balfour Park
football section from 1937 until 1951, and served as a member of the Southern Transvaal Football Association
Executive from 1947 until 1959.
Although his roots were developed with the amateur structure, Lucke had the vision to realise that
professional football was both inevitable and desireable. In 1959, Lucke formed Highlands Park
(Pty) Ltd. Immediately he started to assemble his playing staff
with hand picked players,
while
at the same time working hard on the construction of Balfour Park stadium.
To view an excellent Sy Lerman
article on his work at Highlands, click here.
Each piece of the jigsaw puzzle was put into place methodically before moving on to the next piece -
that is how Lucke Matus worked - and this method is what made Highlands Park the force that they
became. No stone was left unturned - the attention to detail set standards in this country
and all this was done behind the scenes. Lucke knew that the ultimate success by which the club would
be judged, would be on the field.
Lucke passed away in 1991, but his memory will remain forever, interwoven with the great football
club that he formed.
