Behind the scenes the directors felt that promotion had been won far too early and their fears were justified with the Town rock bottom at Christmas, but the introduction of youth and a spirited fightback in the second half of the campaign ended with unfortunate relegation in a blaze of glory.

The brief stay at the top had its financial repercussions and by the middle of the following season only the eleventh hour sale of midfield favourite Peter Anderson prevented the club from folding.Haslam departed in early 1978 for the security of a longer contract at Sheffield United to be replaced by David Pleat who had started the campaign as reserve team coach at Kenilworth Road.

Pleat's first full season in control almost ended in relegation but his coaching skills and astute transfer dealings gradually came to the fore and after near misses of a return to Division One in 1980 and 1981 promotion came twelve months later in devastating fashion.The championship was won in great style with a brand of attacking football that was to become the Pleat hallmark.

Goals flew in at both ends as the Town became the darlings of the television companies in 1982/83 but it still took a last gasp win at Manchester City to prevent a quick return to Division Two.Visions of David Pleat skipping across the Maine Road turf after the 1-0 victory remain some of television's enduring images.

Unfortunately the Hatters were unable to build on this narrow escape and by late autumn 1984 were once again struggling at the wrong end of the table.Boardroom reshuffles and the loosening of the purse strings for David Pleat enabled him to buy the players necessary for long term survival.Amazingly most of these new players were 'cup-tied' as the Town fought through to the F.A.Cup semi-final where they were narrowly and unluckily beaten by Everton.