Luton Town Football Club
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The Crest

The Squad...

M. Watson-Challis

TM:     Joe Kinnear
TC:     Mick Harford

  1.    Mark Ovendale
  2.    Aaron Skelton
  4.    Matthew Spring
  5.    Russell Perrett
  6.    Marvin Johnson
  7.    Adrian Forbes
  8.    Kevin Nicholls
  9.    Stuart Douglas
10.    Carl Griffiths
12.    Chris Coyne
13.    Stuart Fraser
14.    Andrew Fotiadis
15.    Matthew Taylor
16.    Carl Emberson
17.    Emmerson Boyce
18.    Adam Locke
19.    Steve Howard
20.    Peter Holmes
22.    Dean Brennan
23.    Jude Stirling
24.    Scott Ward
27.    Paul Hughes
28.    Jean-Louis Valois
29.    Kent Karlsen
30.    David Bayliss
31.    Kevin Street
32.    Lee Mansell
33.    Ian Hillier
34.    Dean Crowe
35.    Ahmet Brkovic
36.    Robert Gillman

The Kit 2001/2002...

Home Shirt
Home Shirt

Luton Town: The Squad

The Squad

Honours:

1988-89: Littlewoods Cup Finalists
1987-88: Simod Cup Finalists, Littlewoods Cup Winners
1981-82: Division 2 Champions
1967-68: Division 4 Champions
1958-59: FA Cup Finalists
1936-37: Division 3 Champions

Records:

  • Record Attendance: 30,069 v Blackpool FC, FA Cup 6th Round Replay, 04/03/1959
  • Record Win: 12-0 v Bristol Rovers FC, Div 3(S), 13/04/1936
  • Record Defeat: 0-9 v Small Heath FC, Div 2, 1898
  • Most Consecutive Games Without Defeat: 19, 1968/69
  • Most Consecutive League Wins: 9, 1977
  • Most Consecutive League Defeats: 8, 1899-1900
  • Record Goals In A Game: 10, Joe Payne, v Bristol Rovers FC, Div 3(S), 13th April 1936
  • Record League Goals In A Season:
    Player: 55, Joe Payne, Div 3(S), 1936-37
    Team: 103, Division 3 (S), 1936-37
  • Record League Goals: 243, Gordon Turner, 1949-64
  • Record League Points: 88, Division 2, 1981-82
  • Record Appearances 550, Bob Morton, 1948-64
  • Oldest Player: Dally Duncan, 39 years-old, 1947
  • Trevor Peake, 39 years-old, 1996
  • Youngest Player: Mike O'Hara, 16 years-old 32 days v Stoke City FC, October 1st 1960
  • Record Transfer Fee Paid: £850,000 to OB Odense FC for Lars Elstrup, August 1989
  • Record Transfer Fee Received: £2,500,000 from Arsenal FC for John Hartson, January 1995


The Stadium

Kenilworth Road:
Home of Luton Town Football Club
Kenilworth Road Address:
Kenilworth Road Stadium,
1 Maple Road,
Luton,
Beds,
LU4 8AW

Capacity:   9970 (all seated)

The Table:

Team

Plymouth
Mansfield
Luton
Rochdale
Hull
Scunthorpe
Shrewsbury
Cheltenham
Rushden
Hartlepool
Kidderminster
Darlington
Exeter
Southend
Swansea
Oxford
Bristol
Macclesfield
Carlisle
Lincoln
York
Leyton Orient
Torquay
Halifax

Pld

33
32
32
33
34
34
34
30
34
32
31
33
32
32
34
34
32
33
31
32
31
31
33
33

W

21
18
17
15
15
14
14
13
13
13
13
11
11
11
10
9
10
9
8
8
9
8
7
5

D

7
6
6
11
10
11
9
11
10
7
7
8
8
7
9
11
8
10
11
11
8
8
11
11

L

5
8
9
7
9
9
11
6
11
12
11
14
13
14
15
14
14
14
12
13
14
15
15
17

F

48
54
61
47
48
61
48
44
44
47
39
43
33
38
42
42
32
30
35
33
37
42
30
23

A

23
33
42
37
34
43
42
34
42
34
32
50
49
38
52
45
37
41
38
45
52
55
51
52

Pts

70
60
57
56
55
53
51
50
49
46
46
41
41
40
39
38
38
37
35
35
35
32
32
26

Fixtures 2001/2002 Season:

Sat Feb 23 York City H
Tue Feb 26 Lincoln City A
Sat Mar 2 Torquay United A
Tue Mar 5 Leyton Orient H
Sat Mar 9 Rushden & Diamonds A
Sat Mar 16 Kidderminster Harriers H
Sat Mar 23 Halifax Town H
Sat Mar 30 Swansea City A
Mon Apr 1 Mansfield Town H
Sat Apr 6 Hull City A
Sat Apr 13 Macclesfield Town H
Sat Apr 20 Shrewsbury Town A

The Gaffer

Joe Kinnear

In February 2001, Joe Kinnear became the third manager (of that season) of Luton Town Football Club, succeeding Ricky Hill and Lil Fucillo at the helm. He began his football career with non-league St. Albans City before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 1965. A reliable defender, Joe collected 26 international caps with the Republic of Ireland. Joe spent 10 years at White Hart Lane,before joining Brighton and then moving into coaching.
His first job was as Head Coach of the United Arab Emirates, where he spent 6 years. In 1992, Joe took charge of Wimbledon FC, a club with no home ground and few supporters. He led "The Crazy Gang" to several top half finishes, 2 cup semi-finals but most seasons, Wimbledon were struggling in the relegation zone.
In 1999, Joe was forced to quit football management after he suffered a heart attack. In 2000, he returned as Director of Football of the Second Division side Oxford United. However in 2001, Joe, frustrated at the lack of ambition and finance at the club, swopped the Manor Ground for Kenilworth Road.

And his Assistant...

Former Luton favourite Mick Harford returned to Kenilworth Road as Joe's first-team coach, leaving Wimbledon FC to team up with his former boss. As a player, Mick joined Luton Town in 1984 from Birmingham City, scoring 81 goals in 186 appearances, before leaving for Derby County in 1990. He rejoined Luton in 1991, scoring 12 goals in 31 appearances. In his career, Mick represented Newcastle United, Bristol City, Chelsea, Sunderland, Coventry City, Wimbledon and England.


Club History

On April 11, 1885, Luton Town Football Club was formed through an amalgamation of two existing clubs, The Wanderers and The Excelsiors. The first ever Luton Town team consisted of 6 players from one club and 5 from the other and the clubs' colours were navy blue and pink. Luton became founder members of the Southern League in 1894, before turning professional in 1897 when they were elected to play in the Second Division of the Football League.
However, financial difficulties meant that Luton had to resign its position from the League just three years later. Consequently, the club became the first club to join and leave the English Football League.
The club moved to its current home, Kenilworth Road, in 1905 after spells at Dunstable Road and Dallow Lane.
In the 1900s, the clubs nickname was 'The Straw Plaiters', reflecting Luton's long-held association with the hat trade, but has since been altered to 'The Hatters'.

The Players....Profiles

Mark Ovendale Mark Ovendale was Luton’s first signing since coming out of receivership, costing £425,000 from Bournemouth. He started well for Luton, but then an injury put him out,allowing a rejuvenated Nathan Abbey come back into the team.From then on Ovendale had to compete with Abbey as managers and fans tried to decide which one was the better keeper. One of the most impressive aspects of Mark Ovendale is his superb professionalism, urging players on from the touchline, on the pitch and in the dressing room. A team player and a great asset to Luton Town.

  • Birthplace: Leicester
  • DOB: 22/11/1973
  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • Signed: 08/08/2000
  • Previous Clubs: Bournemouth, Barry Town

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    Matthew Spring A competitive midfielder, Matthew Spring is one of Luton's classiest players. In September 1997,at the age of 17, he made his league debut as a sub against Bristol City. A tough tackler and an inspired passer, Matthew has been ever- present and has scored some spectacular long-range goals. He is now one of most senior players at the club with 172 appearances and is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

  • Birthplace: Harlow
  • DOB: 17/11/1979
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Signed: 01/08/1997
  • Previous Clubs: None

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    Matthew Taylor In the 2000-01 season, Matthew Taylor was voted Player Of The Year by Luton's fans, the players made him Players’ Player Of The Year and he received Goal Of The Season for his halfway line volley against Cambridge United, all at the age of 19. On the opening day of the 1999-00 season and only just 17, Matthew made his league debut against Notts County. His preferred positon is left wing-back, where his attacking runs and fierce shooting make him a persistent threat. One of the brightest talents at the Club.

  • Birthplace: Oxford
  • DOB: 27/11/1981
  • Position: Defender
  • Signed: 01/08/1998
  • Previous Clubs: None

    		•

    Jean-Louis Valois Jean-Louis Valois, joined Luton Town from Lille, after helping them achieve promotion to the French top division in 1999-2000. However, Jean only made 9 appearances and was released by the club at the end of the season. He signed for Luton in September 2001 and made his debut at home to Torquay, capping a man of the match performance with a stunning 25 yard strike in a 5-1 victory. Since then, Jean has been worshipped by the fans. His ability to go past defenders at will, his superb crossing and lethal finishing has given Jean his "legend" status.

  • Birthplace: Rhône, France
  • DOB: 10/15/1973
  • Position: Winger
  • Signed: 21/09/2001
  • Previous Clubs: La Duchère, Auxerre, Gueugnon, Lille

    		•

    Kevin Nicholls A defensively minded central midfielder, Nicholls was signed from Wigan in August, as a replacement for Paul McLaren, who joined Sheffield Wednesday. The initial fee of just £25,000 (which could rise to £150,000 depending on appearances) is a bargain for a player of such promise. Kevin has captained the England under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s. Sharp,quick and physical, Kevin is very strong, a great passer and never one to shy away from a tackle.

  • Birthplace: Newham
  • DOB: 02/01/1979
  • Position: Centre Midfield
  • Signed: 03/08/2001
  • Previous Clubs: Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic


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    Chris Coyne Australian Chris Coyne joined Luton Town from Scottish Premier team Dundee, making his debut on September 18 at home to Lincoln City. Despite scoring an unlucky own goal in the closing minutes to give Lincoln a 1-1 draw, his performance impressed and since then, Chris has become a rock at the centre of Luton's defence. Coyne, 24, has eight Under-23 caps for his country.

  • Birthplace: Brisbane
  • DOB: 28/12/1978
  • Position: Defender
  • Signed: 17/09/2001
  • Previous Clubs: West Ham, Dundee

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