20 Questions: Luton Town

Author Rob Hadgraft joins us for a chat

Feb 21, 2025

Friday 21 February 2025

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NEXT HOME GAME: Blackpool – Saturday 1 March, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Cambridge United – Saturday 22 February, 3pm

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Luton supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

County haven’t played Luton since the year we were relegated to the sixth tier in 2012-13 but the clash of the Hatters could return to the fixture list next season, either in the Championship or League One. Of course, we could avoid them completely as well, which might be preferable considering we haven’t won any of the last 15 meetings. November 1968 was the last time we beat Luton - a 2-0 win in front of over 13,000 at Edgeley Park thanks to second-half goals from Freddie Goodwin and Bill Atkins. Author and Luton fan Rob Hadgraft (click here to check out his books) joins us today for a natter on the Hatters. (The fake ones!)

Today’s edition is sponsored by Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters. A big thank you to Karmen and Aaron. They’re celebrating their first year at their Hazel Grove showroom with a special offer. From 23 February until 23 March, every order placed will enter into a free raffle for a chance to win a luxury hamper.

Thanks also to P&M Financial Ltd who sponsor our Luton Town content on the website. If you’re in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire or London and need expert mortgage or insurance advice, call 0800 634 9250 or email admin@pm-financial.co.uk.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 216.74 miles

Total steps so far: 353,516

Total raised so far: £2,270

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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Luton currently play in the Championship, which is the second tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

It’s a very competitive and stressful place to be. Ignoring the fact that nobody seems able to score against Burnley, anyone can beat anyone else in this division. You never quite know what’s around the corner. We gave Sheff United a right old battering recently (but still managed to lose!) when we were 24th and they were top.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Luton.

I was born in Luton but most of my six decades watching them has involved commuting in from elsewhere, so that’s a lot of car mileage totted up. Matchday means I’m required to wear at least one item of Luton merch for luck, and I have to visit a certain ‘lucky’ Starbucks halfway through my journey to Kenilworth Road, and then a certain ‘lucky’ chip shop later in the trip. I always take my seat at five minutes to three, ready for the agony to commence. Time and again these superstitions fail to help us at all, but they are hard habits to shake!

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

Watford. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘the M1 derby’. Usually a very close and bad-tempered affair but since 2023 we’ve squashed the Hornets twice (2-0 and 3-0) with rip-roaring displays that had our old ground rocking. Not so fondly remembered is the 1997 clash when we had to field a makeshift side and Watford went 4-0 up in the first half-hour. The atmosphere turned toxic, with Luton fans pounding the roof of the home dugout, berating our manager Lennie Lawrence for what was going on. A day or two later Lennie had the dugouts switched to the other side of the pitch to prevent a repeat!

What’s your best memory following Luton?

Lots of golden moments down the years, but the very best are three-fold: (a) Reaching the Premier League via a Wembley shoot-out just nine years after being in non-league; (b) Winning away at Manchester City in 1983 to preserve our top-flight status and send City down; (c) Lifting the 1988 League Cup at Wembley after a 3-2 thriller against Arsenal.

What’s your worst memory following Luton?

Probably the day in 2008 when the authorities dished out ludicrously harsh points deductions (they knocked off a grand total of 40 points in eight months!) which played a huge part in the three successive relegations that took us clean out of the Football League altogether. During five years in the Conference there were some seriously bad episodes - a couple of defeats at rainswept Braintree come to mind. On those days it felt like we were being beaten by a pub side, although with hindsight that now seems a tad disrespectful!

If Luton Town was a TV show, which one would it be?

Has to be the BBC programme Casualty. Our injuries have been ridiculous over the last year or so - every week there seems to be a minimum of four or five first-teamers unavailable.

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

Kenilworth Road, affectionately known these days as ‘The Kenny’. It’s very old-school, tight and seriously lacking in comfort. But the atmosphere is excellent most games, and it was truly delightful to see the prima donnas of the Premier League struggling to come to terms with it all. We’re moving to a new town centre stadium shortly (Power Court) which is much-needed, although the history and romance of the old place means it will be very sadly missed.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

No doubt you have every right to call yourself ‘The Hatters’ but I’m afraid we at Luton think of ourselves as the genuine article! But seriously… County’s rise from the sixth tier to League One has been highly impressive. When I think of County the first name that springs to mind is your former manager Danny Bergara, whose coaching career started at Luton in the early 1970s. He was a Uruguayan who apparently only gained a UK work permit by working as a driver for one of Luton’s directors (allegedly)!

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

Luton and County haven’t met very often in recent years, and I’ve never visited Edgeley Park, although I was nearby in 1996 when I spent a long weekend in your area. On the Saturday I watched Luton lose 1-0 at Oldham, and on the Sunday I ventured into Stockport to take part in the Boddington’s 10K road race which was staged from Heaton Moor rugby club. It was my fastest 10K run for three years, so I must have enjoyed the surroundings! As a fan of the band 10cc, I remember going to look for Strawberry Studios in Stockport that day too.

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Luton have had?

Current first-choice kit is orange shirts with a vertical white stripe down one side of the chest. It was unveiled for the Premier League season and is a throwback to an early 1970s kit of similar appearance. It’s probably my all-time favourite, although the 1988 white shirts/black shorts combo was rather classy.

If Luton were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

Take your pick from broadcasters Nick Owen and Cerys Matthews, poet John Hegley, cricketers Monty Panesar and Sir Alistair Cook, and comedienne Niky Wardley.

What’s the most interesting fact about Luton Town we might not know?

The idea of wearing orange kits is said to have come from comedian Eric Morecambe, who spent a few years as a club director. Eric reckoned our players would spot their colleagues quicker if they were wearing bright orange, and it would improve their passing! He was only half-joking with this theory, but the club took him up on the idea.

Who’s your all time Luton hero?

Have to go for David Pleat, who built a wonderful team which romped to the second tier title in 1982 and stayed in the top flight for ten seasons. Fairly recently there was an occasion when David phoned me up, but couldn’t get through and left a voicemail – I wanted to keep that recorded message for posterity, but it got deleted by accident!

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Luton’s fanbase?

These days the ground holds between 11 and 12,000 and for the past few seasons just about every game has been a sell-out, or very close. Back in 1974-75 when I started attending regularly there were occasional crowds of 20,000-plus. The fanbase is big and widely spread. We’ve taken over 40,000 to Wembley a couple of times, and I’ve bumped into fellow Hatters all over the globe. We’re noisy, boisterous and fiercely loyal, which could be a reflection of the fact Luton is historically a gritty, working-class town. No Southern Softies here, mate. The intensity and passion comes from surviving all the bad times together, as well as enjoying the highlights.

What’s your manager like?

Although nowadays I live around 100 miles away from Luton itself, amazingly our new boss Matt Bloomfield lives in the same town as me (so I’m told)! As I write this, he’s been in charge for seven games and we’ve not won any of them, scoring just four goals. Not sure what happened to the so-called ‘new manager bounce’ factor. However, he’s clearly young, hungry, well qualified and very articulate, and seems fully committed to the cause. There are a few green shoots appearing and maybe we’ll swerve relegation with one of our dramatic late runs.

What’s your owner like?

For the past 17 years the club has been run by LTFC 2020, a consortium of genuine long-term supporters who have worked wonders in truly difficult circumstances. In terms of stability the club appears to be in better shape than it has been for decades.

What’s it like for a night out in Luton?

The Bricklayers Arms is a good LTFC pub, but Luton town centre is broadly speaking not a great place to spend an evening in. Many like to nip down to nearby Harpenden where you can have a pint and bump into the likes of Mick Harford!

What’s the best thing about being a Luton fan?

Being part of a fanbase that has seen just about everything, good and bad. There is a tremendous spirit and camaraderie about this club. Many of our regulars are Lutonians who have moved away for whatever reason, but remain fully committed and wouldn’t dream of supporting anyone else.

What’s the worst thing about being a Luton fan?

The town itself has a bad image and the central area is not exactly Milan or Monaco. But changes are afoot and a massive contributor will be our new Power Court stadium, which might be ready in 2028 apparently. Detailed plans have been passed and look tremendous, and the ground and all its associated facilities will rise from the ashes of an ugly piece of land bang in the middle of town. Huge kudos to the board for not going for one of those draughty, soulless out-of-town monstrosities. It promises to be a big win for the community as well as the football club.

What are your hopes for this season?

At the time of writing we sit 24th in the Championship with no wins in 12 games, but we’re not adrift of the pack. The big priority is therefore to escape a second successive relegation and get the Kenny smiling again. In the last 18 months we’ve chalked up only 16 wins from 77 games in all competitions. Many of the defeats in the Prem were seen as forgivable because we were the classic plucky underdogs. But here in the Championship that isn’t the case and with the new stadium around the corner we’re desperate not to sink any lower.

➡️ Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

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Photo of the day

Hardcastle Road, Stockport

County fans enjoying the sunshine on the opening day of this season, ahead of our 2-0 victory over Cambridge. The return fixture takes place tomorrow.

If you’re currently planning to buy a house, here’s a guide to boosting your deposit

The UK property market can be daunting, especially for first-time buyers who are looking to get onto the property ladder. One of the biggest obstacles for many is saving for a deposit. However, there are several government-backed savings schemes available to help make homeownership more accessible.

1) Lifetime ISA (LISA)

The Lifetime ISA is a flexible savings account that allows you to save up to £4,000 each year, with the government adding a 25% bonus (up to £1,000 per year). This makes it a very popular option for first-time buyers. The funds can be used either for buying your first home or for retirement.

Key Features:

You must be aged between 18 and 39 to open a LISA.
The property you are purchasing must be worth £450,000 or less.
You can use the funds after 12 months of saving, but there are restrictions if you use the funds for anything other than your first home or retirement.
The bonus is paid annually, and any money you withdraw from your LISA for other purposes (e.g. non-property-related) will incur a withdrawal penalty.

This scheme is ideal for younger buyers who are planning ahead and want to benefit from the 25% government bonus.

2) Help to Buy: ISA

The Help to Buy: ISA was a popular option for first-time buyers until it closed to new applicants in November 2019. However, those who already have a Help to Buy ISA can still benefit from it. The government will add a 25% bonus to the savings you’ve made towards your first home, up to a maximum bonus of £3,000.

Key Features:

You can save up to £200 per month into a Help to Buy ISA, and the government will contribute £1 for every £4 you save.
The bonus can be used towards properties costing up to £250,000 (or £450,000 in London).
You must be a first-time buyer, and the funds must be used for a property purchase.

Although the scheme is no longer open to new applicants, it remains a useful option for those who opened an account before the deadline.

3) Shared Ownership Scheme

The Shared Ownership Scheme allows you to buy a portion of a property (usually between 25% and 75%), and pay rent on the remaining portion. This can make it easier to get onto the property ladder, as you only need a smaller mortgage and deposit.

Eligibility:

You must be a first-time buyer or someone who used to own a home but cannot afford to buy one now.
The property must be within your local authority’s shared ownership scheme.
Your household income must be £80,000 or less (or £90,000 in London).

This scheme is particularly beneficial for buyers in expensive areas, where full ownership of a property might be out of reach.

4) The First Homes Scheme

The First Homes Scheme is a government initiative that aims to provide new homes for first-time buyers with a discount of at least 30% off the market price. In some areas, the discount could be higher, depending on local needs and affordability.

Key Features:

Available to first-time buyers and key workers.
The homes are sold at a discount compared to local market prices.
There are restrictions on reselling, with the discount remaining in place for future buyers.

This scheme is designed to make homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers, particularly in high-demand areas.

5) The Deposit Unlock Scheme

The Deposit Unlock Scheme is a newer option that helps buyers with a deposit of just 5%. This is particularly beneficial for those struggling to save a larger deposit. The scheme offers a mortgage guarantee to lenders, allowing them to offer loans to buyers with a smaller deposit, reducing the amount buyers need to save upfront.

Key Features:

Available for both first-time buyers and home movers.
Buyers only need to provide a 5% deposit.
Available for newly built homes.

This scheme is a great option for buyers who have a smaller deposit but want to access the benefits of a standard mortgage.

In addition to government-backed schemes, there are also some innovative options from lenders that can help homebuyers secure a mortgage with less upfront capital.

For example, one lender offers a 100% mortgage, meaning you can borrow the full value of the property based on the historic rent payments you’ve made as a tenant. This can be a great opportunity for renters who have a strong payment history but may struggle to save for a traditional deposit.

Another lender offers a 95% mortgage, with the remaining 5% being provided in the form of a loan. This reduces the deposit amount you need to save, making homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers.

Some lenders also allow landlords to gift the deposit as equity towards your mortgage. This is an excellent option for buyers who have family members willing to assist with their deposit but don’t want to provide the funds outright.

These flexible options can be invaluable in helping you reach your homeownership goals, especially if you’re struggling with saving a large deposit. Be sure to discuss all available options with a mortgage advisor to determine which route best suits your financial situation.

P&M Financial can help you navigate these saving schemes and choose the one that’s best for your circumstances. If you’re looking for expert advice on saving for your home, securing a mortgage, or understanding which schemes you’re eligible for, get in touch today and let them guide you every step of the way.

➡️ Visit pm-financial.co.uk for further details.

Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers from 12pm till 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks or a bite to eat.