Relegation hits most clubs hard. However, Luton Town’s Championship challenge ahead doesn’t seem to have led to much wringing of hands by Hatters supporters. But then this has always been a team that has been a little bit different.
There was a change from white to bright orange shirts in the 1970s. Then there was Luton’s plastic pitch in the 1980s. While the banning of away fans, after the infamous Millwall riot at Kenilworth Road in 1985, caused uproar. The spectacular ups and downs of the Hatters have been well-documented too. This is why there is a phlegmatic acceptance by fans of relegation into the Championship. Most Town fans have learned to appreciate perspective.
A Championship Challenge Luton Will Embrace
Among The Promotion Favourites
The Championship has always been competitive and replete with big sides. Next term will see the Hatters up against the likes of Leeds United, who are set to benefit from a massive cash injection. Among the other opposition will face are Sunderland, Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United. Recruitment will be equally competitive as Championship sides scramble to bring in suitable acquisitions.
Read More: Sunderland Recruitment: Transfer Window Must See Improvements
The Town will also be doing battle again with near neighbours and newly promoted Oxford United. The U’s have been on a similar journey to their neighbouts by dropping from the top flight into the Conference.
Luton will be among the promotion favourites – even if they lose, as expected, some of their best players. Already, midfield loanee Sambi Lokonga, who was outstanding for the Hatters last term, has returned to Arsenal, his parent club. He won’t be returning to Kenilworth Road. The Town will also be hoping to hold on to charismatic manager Rob Edwards.
A Strong Squad Already In Place
They will, though, probably still have most of their promotion-winning squad from 2022/23 in place for next term. As well as Tahith Chong, Thomas Kaminski, Chiedozie Ogbene and Teden Mengi. That quartet all had fine first seasons for the Hatters in the Premier League.
Read More: Derby County’s £60 Million Debts Highest Seen in Championship History
Recruitment, as has been proved with promotions from the Conference to the Premier League in a decade, is a strength as a club. So, Hatters’ fans will be expecting exciting new names to come in that will complement an already strong squad. But, learning from their own history, and that of other teams, they will be cautious regarding how much they do spend.
“No Bad Eggs”
For this Luton Town Championship challenge, CEO Gary Sweet and chief recruitment officer Mick Harford will be looking to bring in the right people. For the hierarchy, being a good player is not enough. They want good human beings too. Andros Townsend publicly said, when he joined the Kenilworth Road outfit, that there were “no bad eggs” in the squad.
Big Plans Ahead
Relegation from the Premier League does mean that, financially, Edwards’ team will benefit from parachute payments. This is timely, too, as the Hatters plan their move to a new stadium at Power Court near the centre of the town by the end of this decade. Despite relegation, things are looking bright for this unique club from Bedfordshire.
