Having made their way back to the top-flight after a 30 year absence, no doubt the champagne corks will be popping in Luton for most of this summer.
Just nine years ago, the Hatters languished in the fifth tier of English football, a club that was still recovering from an extended period in administration. A club that very nearly went to the wall.
So before we assess how well, or otherwise, Rob Edwards’ side will apply themselves among the elite there is an obvious and necessary point to make.
For a club that is now exceedingly well run, and for a fan-base who have remained loyal through some very dark and troubling times, Luton’s promotion to the Premier League, via a tense penalty shoot-out at Wembley, should be wholly celebrated.
It is a feel-good story in a sport that has a scant supply of them.
Football, however, doesn’t tend to stand still for too long to allow for sentimentality.
Already, behind the scenes at Kenilworth Road, the wheels will be in motion regarding Luton’s summer transfer strategy that will likely involve mostly loans and bargain buys, despite their windfall.
Existing players meanwhile will be enquiring about improved contracts now they are Premier League stars, while clubs who are higher in the pecking order will surely be taking a close look at 20-goal man Carlton Morris and Luton’s outstanding centre-back Tom Lockyer.
Moreover, there will be grave deliberations about how a defence made up of players with Aldershot and Nuneaton on their C.V. will cope next season when facing Mo Salah, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
If that sounds overly pessimistic though, thankfully recent history offers a genuine cause for hope.
Of course, nobody is expecting Luton to feature heavily in the Premier League winner odds for 2023/24, and the age-old cliché will hold true that 17th will ultimately be an amazing final standing.
Yet in latter years, clubs that have come up via the Play-Offs have done slightly better than that, with four of the last six staying up and even staking a claim in mid-table.
Morning, Hatters 👋
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 29, 2023
We’ve got a party today! 🎉#COYH pic.twitter.com/8OYW6p8Nfx
Of the two that immediately returned to the Championship, both times that was Fulham, firstly by essentially purchasing an entirely new squad, then later staying far too faithful to their open, attacking mandate.
The others, as evidenced by Nottingham Forest this term, endured sustained periods of struggle, but eventually prevailed, leaning on togetherness and fortitude.
And should the Hatters avoid the mistakes Fulham made twice-over, they have every chance in extending this trend.
They have a defence that was breached only 39 times this season, at a rate of a goal every 106 minutes, and even if admittedly they now face much tougher fare, it highlights how well organised Edwards’ back-line is, a priceless commodity for any promoted side.
They have goals too, in the aforementioned Morris and moreover, they have a clear and defined blueprint that plays to the strengths of their leading men.
Add in a tight ground and vociferous fans and suddenly it feels somewhat unjust that a team who only days ago came up, are already being widely tipped to drop. Indeed, there could be some real value in their Premier League odds for next season.
Luton, the great survivors can survive. It’s in their DNA and that should not be under-estimated.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
