The Fall and Rise of Luton Town

ENG 45mnts 2023

Luton.Town.The.Fall.and.Rise.ENG.twb22.mp4

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In 1988 Luton Town's players climbed the Wembley steps to lift the League Cup. Thirty-five years on, another generation of Luton players were celebrating in the same part of north London, this time toasting promotion to the Premier League. But the journey the club has been on between those two Wembley appearances is like no other in English football. Many Luton fans consider the 1980s to be the golden period in the club's history. Brian Stein's last-minute winner in that League Cup final to seal a 3-2 win over Arsenal was the highlight of a decade of top flight football that saw three top-half finishes. David Pleat had overseen the club's promotion in 1982 and assembled the majority of the squad before his departure in 1986. The team was filled with players who'd come through the youth system at Luton, several going on to represent their country, bringing pride to Lutonians. 

Luton did follow up that 1988 League Cup success with a return to Wembley in 1989 in the same competition. But they lost to Nottingham Forest. And the club had started to struggle in the league. Despite David Pleat's return as manager, Luton were relegated in 1992. It was the final season of the old First Division, meaning the Hatters missed out on Premier League football despite signing the agreement that helped form the competition. Turbulent times continued. They did reach an FA Cup semi-final in 1994, losing to Chelsea. But in 1996, they slipped into the third tier. A resurgence was short lived, losing to Crewe Alexandra in a play-off semi-final in 1997. And in 1999 came the first of the financial problems that would dog the club for the next decade. Administration. In 2001, Luton were relegated again - falling into English football's bottom tier for the first time since 1968.

Spearheaded by a managerial team of Joe Kinnear and Mick Harford, Luton gained promotion back into Division Two in 2002. But a second administration soon followed - the club's second in four years. A mysterious consortium bought the club and chairman John Gurney made headlines with some of his proposed changes, including adopting a new name of London Luton FC, merging with the Milton Keynes-bound Wimbledon and building a 70,000-seater stadium with an F1 track attached. Then there was 'Manager Idol.' Inspired by the popular singing contest Pop Idol where fans voted to determine the outcome of the contenders’ fate, Gurney decided this is how Luton would appoint a replacement for the popular Kinnear and Harford.Despite players and season ticket holders voting to re-appoint Kinnear, Mike Newell was given the job. 

By 2004, Luton had new owners again. And despite his chaotic appointment, Newell delivered on the pitch, leading The Hatters to the League One title in style, amassing 98 points. Life back in the Championship started with a 10th-placed finish. But more trouble was around the corner.In 2007 Luton were relegated. Things got even worse in League One. Another administration and this time a 10-point deduction. Financial collapse loomed. But out of the gloom, came a ray of light. A consortium called Luton Town 2020 Ltd bought the club. Changes in the boardroom weren't going to prevent relegation. Luton slipped into League Two. And it got worse. The club were deducted 15 points by the Football League ahead of the new season for a failure to agree to a CVA. Five more points were added for that third administration in nine years. The FA got involved too. They added 10 points for past financial irregularities following a two-year investigation. In response to criticism in this documentary, the FA say they conducted a full and thorough investigation at the time in relation to transfers and contract negotiations involving Luton Town. They charged the club, various club officials and intermediaries. The FA also said an independent regulatory commission subsequently imposed various sanctions, which included the club’s 10-point deduction, and this decision was upheld by an independent appeal board following an appeal. Despite that magical day out, Luton were unable to overcome their points deductions. They fell into non-League for the first time in 89 years....