There has been a large amount of press coverage in relation to crowd behaviour during the game at Kenilworth Road against Oxford United on Tuesday 9th February.

In the days after the event, the Club declined to comment on the events in the media as we felt it unwise to speak publically until we had conducted our post match debrief, viewed the CCTV footage and had discussions with Bedfordshire Police.

During this time, we have also sought the views of a number of supporters who were sat in the area in question to give us a rounded and well-balanced view of what actually occurred, which in turn will allow us to make decisions as to any actions that the Club may need to take.

Our post match debrief found that over 140 seats were broken or damaged in Main Stand blocks E, F and G and the in Oak Road stand. Damage included cracked seats, backs of seats ripped off, and the wooden benches on which the seats are mounted, snapped in two. Toilet blocks in the Main Stand were also vandalised, with water pipes and toilet cisterns ripped from the wall.

Potentially, this could cost the club between £7,000 to £10,000 to complete all the necessary repair works to allow the ground to comply with it's safety certificate. Should the ground not comply with the safety certificate, the local council has the power to close all or part of the ground.

This extra cost, coupled with the Police and stewarding bill of over £15,000, meant that even though this was the highest gate of the season, it was one of the lowest in terms of net income.

When you consider that this loss of income comes on the back of three games lost over the Christmas and new year period, and during the present economic climate, it is money that the Football Club can barely afford to lose.

As mentioned above, the Club has reviewed CCTV footage of the incidents and sought the views of Club staff, stewards, Bedfordshire Police and, most importantly, supporters who were in the vicinity. This has clearly indentified to us a number of issues.

Vandalising Club property and attacking Club staff and Police Officers for any reason is not acceptable and those supporters who participated in this sort of behaviour are not welcome at Kenilworth Road.

We are therefore working closely with Bedfordshire Police in an attempt to identify those responsible and we are receptive to Bedfordshire Police's requests to take action against individuals if necessary.

However, some of the information that has been released to the press through various outlets is both incorrect and inflammatory.

Whilst there was an element of friction between a relatively small group of supporters and Club stewards, the Club categorically deny that Club stewards were under attack from supporters and similarly there were no reported incidents of Luton fans fighting amongst themselves.

As a Club we were therefore disappointed to see Police Officers, some in riot uniform, entering into the Main Stand which appeared to inflame, rather than calm, an already tense atmosphere.

Earlier this week the Club met with representatives of Bedfordshire Police to discuss how any such situations can be handled more effectively in the future. As a Club we believe that there are lessons that can be learnt by all parties from this game and we are committed to working with the Police to ensure incidents such as this never occur inside Kenilworth Road again.

During the meeting the Club gave Bedfordshire Police feedback that we have received from supporters in relation to the actions of a small number of their officers on duty that night.

In order to minimise any future friction, the Club is looking to convene a meeting with Bedfordshire Police and representatives of the various supporters Clubs. This meeting will serve to ensure that all parties are aware of how their actions impact on the Football Club and looking at agreeing a way forward which benefits all parties.

Unfortunately, these incidents have overshadowed what was an thrilling game and one that will live in the memory of Hatters fans for many years to come. The vast majority of supporters from both Luton and Oxford behaved impeccably and witnessed a wonderful advert for football at this level and an attendance and atmosphere that would not have been out of place three leagues above our own.

However, it was a small minority who not only give the Club and it's supporters an unwanted and undeserved reputation, but also cost the club a significant amount of money through increased police and stewarding costs and repairs.