Hatters part company with John Still
It with much regret that Luton Town Football Club announce the parting of company with manager John Still by mutual consent.
After an inconsistent past 12 months of performances and results on the field, all of the Hatters’ Board felt, with a heavy heart, that a change in manager was necessary in order to turn around the team’s fortunes which has seen the Town slip to 17th place in the League 2 table.
John departs Kenilworth Road with the Club’s very best wishes together with enormous gratitude in recognition of his achievements during his tenure and the Board wishes to place on record its sincere thanks for the work undertaken by John both on and off-the-field. He earned the respect of all those he worked with, as a football manager of incredible knowledge and ability, and as a man of great warmth and dignity.
John was the man who achieved what many seemed was an impossible task: getting the Town back in to the Football League. But, in his first full season, the Hatters stormed to the Conference title, playing with a style and swagger that saw the team break numerous club records along the way.
But John did more than just that: he united those around him and helped bring the Club closer to its fans. In a short space of time, after years of built-up tension and irritation on the terraces, John instilled a confidence into the team and pride back to the Club and the supporters. And that is a feat too immense to quantify. Thank you, John.
The search is now underway for John’s replacement. Academy and development manager Andy Awford will take care of first team affairs until further notice, with the existing backroom staff also remaining at Kenilworth Road.
Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet told lutontown.co.uk: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank John for everything he has brought to Luton Town.
“We have shared some unbelievable moments in this Club’s history together – ones which will never be forgotten.
“The decision to make a change was a unanimous one by the Board but one of the most difficult since we took over as custodians in 2008. We are genuinely saddened that our partnership with John has come to an end earlier than we expected.
“We had hoped John would be with us for the longer-term but now attention turns to finding the next man for the job.”
John Still added: “Naturally I am hugely disappointed to be leaving Kenilworth Road but I would like to thank everyone involved at Luton Town for making my time at the Club an enjoyable one.
“The Board of directors have been fantastic every step of the way, all of the staff – on the football side and behind the scenes – have been unbelievably supportive and the fans have been nothing short of incredible.
“The Conference championship season is one which will live long in my memory and I was proud and honoured to have played a part in bringing Luton Town back in to the Football League.
“I wish the Club all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond.”