Good evening and a warm, festive welcome to our final fixture at Kenilworth Road before Christmas and the final fixture of 2024.
In true Luton fashion, 2024 has witnessed many ups and downs. The rollercoaster rides of football – and, in particular, Luton Town – are what truly grips us, isn’t it? Without the emotional highs and lows of the beautiful game, I’m confident I and many others would all be watching another sport. Typically, just last week, in the space of three days, we endured disappointment and elation.
But, without doubt, our biggest victory of the year was played out on a Monday night fixture at the Town Hall, in front of a crowd of dignitaries, resulting in a massive home win for the Town but without a ball being kicked.
All of us present in the Council’s chambers, along with the many Hatters watching the live stream, were thrilled that our detailed planning application for a long-awaited new home at Power Court was given the final green light by Luton Borough Council marking the end of formalities on our new stadium journey as we celebrate the fact that no further permissions are required.
It’s another defining milestone in the delivery of our long-held plans for a new stadium against our seemingly disappointing season in the Premier League. In an ironic and bittersweet way, it was last season’s short visit to the top table which provided the resources for the redesigned bigger, more ambitious stadium which will provide the foundations for a longer Premier League visit next time.
First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone at the Council – councillors, planning officers, executive officers and the leader – who have all been amazingly supportive during the challenging but enjoyable process – to all of those who supported the applications.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your patience and support in enduring this long, extended process. Personally, I consider myself to be a patient person, but as we battled through the numerous challenges since the conception of our original plan, I’ve had to learn to put my eagerness and frustrations to one side. Patience truly is a virtue when you know you’re on the right track (on and off the pitch!).
And this presents the ideal opportunity for me to briefly elaborate on what comes next now we have no formal incumbrances.
Alas, whilst many may expect piling and brick-building to start immediately, there are still a few agenda items we need to tick off which we can only do when our decision notice is awarded.
Of course, in terms of physical constraints, we do have the small matters of relocating a sub-station and the diversion of the river before we can begin the physical work, which will just take a few months. The latter is more within our control but whilst we are forced to pay for the new sub-station, we are beholden to UKPN for its installation, switch-over and removal of the old one.
Meanwhile, as this work continues, we have an intensive period of appointing a master contractor – where I can inform you that the selection process has excitedly begun with the initial response being very positive.
Our core focus is structuring the necessary cashflow funding to help pay for the construction of the stadium itself until such a time that the residential development has been completed a few years later and, in particular, we are in dialogue with public bodies for some financial support for the site-wide infrastructure which is key to the town’s wider regeneration.
Working with the appointed contractor, we will also need to deal with the many conditions in the planning consent, section 106 agreements and, of course, to meet the numerous compliances set out by the various authorities.
At the same time, we will also be resubmitting new plans for the wider Power Court site – for the residential development – so we can establish a phased construction plan, starting of course with the stadium itself. The work for this masterplan has already been done and these will be made public in the not-too-distant future.
Anyway, enough of this detail, I hear you cry. The plan is to have ‘spades in the ground’ within about six months. From then we’re looking at approximately a two-year build, as long as we don’t experience any further unforeseen obstacles. Now, whilst this may suggest a potential 2027/28 season start, even after fitout and the necessary test events – which is indeed our ideal target – history would suggest that we may be prudent to hope for this but expect the season after.
Nevertheless, it’s a relief, and long time coming, that we have been given the go-ahead and through the excitement of the news comes the realisation that Kenilworth Road’s days are, sadly, numbered. Indeed, we may be down to fewer than 60 matches remaining in our old girl – and maybe fewer than 15-20 under the lights.
That’s why making the most of nights, and occasions, like tonight makes it all the more important to cherish. It’s also why, as part of Power Court’s designs, we intend to transport the intricacies and uniqueness of Kenilworth Road to our new home.
We all love her and have looked after her well, but last season showed us why we need to move on. We put up a fantastic fight against clubs boasting far superior facilities and associated funds in an attempt to keep ourselves alive at that level. When we re-join the Premier League, despite the odds, we have to stay there and Power Court – even the construction of it – will help enormously. I can’t stress enough how the new stadium will give us long-term sustainability as a Club, which has always been the priority for us.
On the pitch, this season has not gone as we had predicted – there’s simply no hiding from that. But as the players and staff, focus on finding consistency – especially in taking our home form away – in the camp, we do feel as though we have turned a corner, which would be more evident to all if it wasn’t for further injuries.
Indeed, if it wasn’t also for mind-boggling actions that lead to absence through repeated suspensions! This is certainly not the Luton way – at a time when all of our talent is needed the most. I won’t defend Liam for his actions last Saturday, and I can confirm he will be issued the maximum fine permissible for letting down our visiting supporters, staff and his team-mates.
As it stands, but subject to future rescheduling, this evening’s clash with Derby is the last to be played ‘under the lights’ in the evening this season. I know many of you will share a similar affection for evening fixtures here. There is something special, something atmospheric, about these games that makes us wallow in nostalgia. The sights, the smells and the sounds are all different, all unique, and all very Luton.
So while we look forward to our future at Power Court, we welcome once again to Kenilworth Road everyone who has travelled down the M1 from Pride Park, a stadium which had the task of replacing the much-loved Baseball Ground.
Two familiar faces who have happy memories of the Kenny in full voice will be in the opposition dressing room this evening. James Collins and Sonny Bradley were two magnificent servants for us, helping us with their significant contributions, on and off the pitch, as we rose through the divisions. We look forward to welcoming you back, but any pleasantries will be put firmly to one side once the first whistle goes!
Our consistent form at Kenilworth Road over the past few months has certainly given us cause for optimism and the busy festive period is often sighted as an important phase of the season, with matches coming thick and fast.
From the board down to the players, there is a collective belief that we are doing things the right way but also the understanding that we need to pro-actively take some positive action next month in freshening up the squad, as far as it’s possible to do in a winter window.
Before I conclude, may I just thank Jenn Smith for her notes in the last programme versus Stoke and, by contributing, she became the first female ever to write boardroom notes for the Club. This was not just a proud moment for her and her family, but also for me and her colleagues.
Finally, tonight – as is tradition – we welcome the brass band from the Salvation Army, who will supply a festive soundtrack to our matchday atmosphere. There will be a collection outside the ground, so please donate if you’re able to.
So that’s almost a wrap for 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support through good times and difficult periods over the past 12 months, it means the world to us supporters on the board who cannot always shout encouragement for the team around the country.
Please join me one last time before the new year in getting behind Rob, his team and the players, and remember to drink in the atmosphere that only Kenilworth Road can give.
COYH!
Gary
