One of our great men once said, “the stronger the team, the stronger the team”.
For most, he needs no introduction, and his words need no explanation. However, for those who read these notes today having gained entry with a younger concessionary ticket, what John Still meant by the sentiment was that everyone is a part of this team. Not just the 11 talented players starting and performing today – all of you. And, most importantly, you can all contribute to the strength of our performance by remaining strong, remaining positive and resolute.
There’s no better occasion to remember John’s wise words than today, as we face ‘the old enemy’, from down the road. At a time when the team on the pitch has endured a tough period – falling short of reaching our own pre-season self-assigned expectations – our ‘off-the-pitch’, wider team have had various important key roles to play in preparation for derby day.
Today, I’m asking us all to put thoughts of that disappointing run to one side and get behind the team the way only a Kenilworth Road crowd can. Even before kick-off – so our opponents come out to the unique, intimidating atmosphere that has the power to buckle any opposition. Just as we all did the last time the teams met each other at home – and we all know how that victory was the catalyst to push us on to an amazing end to the season. With the hope this could also be a turning point, let’s all play our part today to get the lads off to a positive start.
Following our uncharacteristically disappointing performance at Bramall Lane, we’ve had a fortnight to regroup and plan for today’s exciting match. After a below par spell, this particular fixture must be seen as a perfect challenge for us as there will be no shortage of motivation, desire or work-rate from the referee’s first blow of his whistle onwards.
The players and staff know the importance of a result this afternoon, even those who have only spent a few months in our environment who need to experience the old girl rocking – so let’s stick together today and bring the noise!
Today, we are all Luton.
That’s one of the things that makes this club so unique. We stand together when times are tough, and that’s what has seen us rise from the depths – as we did under the guidance of that great man, John Still – to the heights, under another great man, Rob Edwards.
Every second of Rob’s consciousness at the moment is totally dominated by finding solutions to help us improve, little-by-little, and, like most of you, Rob feels the intense pain when our performance levels don’t meet the high standards we have set ourselves.
I’m immensely proud of the manner in which Rob and his team has gone about their work these last few days, addressing meticulous detail, leaving no stone unturned, and it’s this approach that will make us stronger, more resolute and more determined to get it right.
Our coaching staff and players are doing that under today’s relentless commentary on social media, too. Generally, I, and we, tend to choose to avoid social media because it can be a distraction to the clarity and focus of us being efficient in our work. On occasion, however, it’s impossible to filter everything out and, whilst constructive supporter opinion is really valuable to us, being thick-skinned has to come with the territory.
I think we can all see both the good and the bad in the variety of platforms of opinion the internet provides – which is mostly good, of course. However, I often question the purpose, validity and balance of some usage – especially when it’s blatantly ‘fake news’ or ‘opinion’ created to attract clicks to boost an ego or to crave attention with no care for its accuracy, or consideration for its subject matter.
We frequently meet with John Still, and David Pleat, and seeing them and Rob together it is so apparent that their experiences, pressures and methods of doing the same job are quite different, separated by the characteristics of the three eras.
Indeed, David acknowledges in his recently released, and excellent, book that he’s happy to have managed at the time he did. Having discussed the matter with them, both David and John have admitted that they would struggle with the instantaneous and intense scrutiny – often falsely negative – that exists in and around today’s game, in general.
While we can’t change social behaviour, those of us in the Club can and will remain united in our unwavering support of our squad and coaching team while we learn and progress to our next goal. I would urge every one of you all to join us.
It’s within the very fabric of our Club culture to nurture and develop deep-rooted and ever-maintained values. With a respect for those people within our community fostering a track record for positivity, resilience, fighting back, overcoming those tough times and, ultimately, achieving what we’ve set out to do. We see ourselves as a big family, forging relationships amongst our kin on and off the pitch.
In absence of league matches, our Club’s social media content this last couple of weeks has been dominated by stories of heart-warming positivity. From welcoming 20-year-old supporter Holly Hamill to The Brache to bravely share her mental health challenges with our first team squad, to the inspirational visit of six-year-old Ellis Rudelhoff who, despite being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, brought waves of joy across the faces of Rob and the players.
We’re an essential part of what makes Luton such a unique town – as the world seemed to discover when we were promoted to the Premier League. We all connect!
This past month has also seen our staff run various daily distances to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, and last week our staff – including David Wilkinson, Mick Harford and Alex Lawless – joined the rest of the town to take part in the Love Luton runs.
On the day I pen these notes, Rob Edwards and David Wilkinson will accompany Mick Harford and David Pleat in participating in ‘Ron’s March’ in aid of Prostate Cancer UK from The Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Then, on 28th November, I, along with a number of brave colleagues and some of the leading lights of the Luton business scene are taking part in the CEO Sleepout. We’ll be curling up in our sleeping bags under the stars and the shelter of the rafters of the David Preece Stand to raise funds for local charities who support those who have no homes of their own and who are facing the impacts of poverty and exclusion, in and around Luton.
It would be wonderful if any of you could donate to any of these charitable initiatives, the details of which can be found below and on our website. Please give generously if you can.
But for now, let’s put charity to one side for 90 minutes and focus on the job in hand – roaring our team on to yet another victory against our biggest rivals. (Check those record books if you’re reading, Hornets, we’re well ahead in the history stakes and we intend to add to that today!)
Finally, to quote another famous ‘Stillism’, “Control the controllables!”
What we can control today is non-stop, ear-splitting noise and support for the lads on the pitch. So, stop reading these notes, and start singing – there’s a derby to be won!
COYRRH!
