~~The Early Days~~~~
Luton Town were formed in 1885 when two local clubs, The Wanderers and The Excelsiors, merged. Nine years later they became founder members of the Southern League and finished second behind Millwall in their first two seasons. The following year they were given the opportunity to play in the second division but had to decline due to financial troubles – mainly due to the fact that the majority of clubs were Northern and the travelling costs would be too high. Within a few seasons Luton became the first southern club to have professional players, paying (what would now be) 25 pence a week to three players, although the whole team were being paid within a year.
~~Early Twentieth Century~~~~
In 1905 Luton moved to their Kenilworth Road stadium and have remained there to this day. It later became infamous as one of four clubs in the football league to have plastic surfaces, although a league ruling in the early nineties meant they had to scrap it.
At the end of the First World War Luton found themselves back in Division three where they stayed for seventeen years.
~~1930’s~~~~
After finishing runners-up to Coventry, Luton were denied promotion as only the champions were granted it but the following season (1935) they won the championship with centre forward Joe Payne scoring 55 goals, over half of the teams total tally for the season. This surpassed all expectation even from the lad who’d scored a record ten goals on his Luton debut against Bristol Rovers a year earlier.
Luton’s progression was good and were actually top of the second division when war brought the postponement of football in 1939.
~~1950’s & 1960’s~~~~
Due to war and re-establishing the team, Luton’s fortunes during the 40’s were poor but they gradually built a strong side and won promotion to the top flight for the first time in the 1954/5 season. This form was built on and within three years had finished in the top eight, a record at the time. A run in the FA Cup was to follow the next year only to be defeated in the final against Nottingham Forest, 2-1.
Unfortunately this success was short lived and Luton found themselves relegated back to the old Second division the following season. Worse was to follow and within four years they found themselves in the depth of division four. After this slump the club pulled itself together and a championship win in the 67/68 season was followed but continue improvement well into the mid seventies when a succession of high finishers and several promotions, including many club records for winning runs and undefeated periods were made, Luton found themselves back in the first division.
~~Mid to late 1970’s and early 80’s~~~~
Again however this was not to last and the following season they finished twentieth and were relegated again. A few average seasons came to an end with the appointment of David Pleat who built a team in two years that walked the division two title in the 81/82 season, to return to the big time. The next few years were to see Luton establish themselves in the first division although they needed a last day win against Manchester City to survive. A single goal by the recently departed Barcelona manager, Roddy Antic was enough to save them and condemn City to the drop. This was followed the now famous ‘Pleat Jig’ where the manager ran on the pitch at the final whistle to congratulate his players. Over the next few years Luton lost Pleat to Tottenham Hotspurs but managed a record 7th place, still their highest finish to date.
~~Ray Hartford and the Glory year~~~~
The following season saw the appointment of former assistant, Ray Hartford and the 1987/88 season was by far the most successful in the clubs history. Another excellent finish in the league (9th), a run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and a defeat in the final of the Simod Cup was good on its own, but we can’t forget Luton Towns finest hour. As an Arsenal fan I remember Arsenal making it to Wembley to defend their Littlewoods Cup against an improving Luton side. Both teams exchanged early blows but it was George Grahams Arsenal that led comfortably 2-1 with ten minutes to go. Several missed chances, including an Andy dibble penalty save to deny Nigel Winterburn, came back to haunt the Gunners as two late goals for Luton meant they’d be taking back the third biggest trophy in English football, a competition that was taken a lot more serious in those days. The clubs only disappointment was that a nationwide ban on English clubs denied them their rightful first place in European competition.
~~Late 80’s and 90’s~~~~
Luton returned to Wembley to defend their trophy the following year but were beaten by a strong Forest side.
The early nineties saw many relegation battles and Luton twice had to beat Derby on the final day to stay in the top division, something they failed to do two years later when relegation became a catalyst for several miserable years, several managers and ultimately the unbearable slip down the bottom division (now division three, after the new Premiership was formed in 1993).
Financial troubles were also hitting the club and chairman Cliff Bassett’s cash injection kept the club afloat into the millennium.
~~The last few years~~~~
Joe Kinnears appointment as the manager changed the fortunes for the better and his shrewd dealings in the transfer market had instant success as Luton finished second the following season to gain promotion back to the second division. A comfortable season last term and a top half finish were respectable for their first efforts and have potential to be built on for a bid to return to the first division next season.
~~Present Day~~~~
Despite the strong finish last season the club appears to be in complete turmoil. When Mike Watson-Challis retired in May an unknown consortium was given running of the club but their actions have been met by anger from the clubs supporters.
Firstly they sacked popular manager and assistant, Kinnear and Mick Hartford, without giving reasons and have since put forward views on merging the club with Wimbledon and possibly also changing the name to London Luton.
It is apparent to all concerned that this oddball consortium, lead by John Gurney, don’t have the clubs future at heart. Their reasoning behind the possibly merger with cash strapped Wimbledon was worse given Gurneys reasons that it was ‘an easy route back into division one’ and that he’d rather do it that way than ‘slug it out’. This isn’t what the fans want to hear; football is all about building a team, and gaining rightful entry into the next division – not through the back door.
Despite opposition from players and the supporters club, a vote has seen Mike Newell installed as the new manager. A move that many didn’t want. With all due respect to the former player the real fans wanted Kinnear back and the first choice Cotteriel turned the offer down. Newell’s record at his former club, Hartlepool, is not one to smile at. He joined them when they were coasting the division and managed to lose them the title, which resulted in his sacking after just six months in charge. Even the club captain has voiced his disapproval.
Personally I feel that Luton Town need to go back to their routes and install owners that feel as passionately about the club as the players and staff. Luton have a 115 year history which has seen them battle through tens of relegations and promotions and although they may not be the most glamorous club in the football league, they are one of the original founders and no real football fan wants to see them disappear for good.
by (1%):
20.02.2004 01:09
football? little shorts, right?
28.07.2003 22:32
A fine op. I remember Joe Payne scoring 10 goals in one match. He must have been some player. I remember that Kirk Stevens played for the side in the early 1980s. The present takeover situation is a mess. Thanks for your comments on my BB op. I am already suffering withdrawal symptoms...Paul
21.07.2003 22:03
It would be a tragedy to see this once great club go completely to the wall. Cheers, Darren.