Good afternoon and welcome back to Kenilworth Road.
A warm welcome as well to our visitors today, Stockport County – the ‘other Hatters’. It’s a fixture that has taken on a bit of added interest this season, not least because we’ll be seeing each other again in a few weeks’ time under the arch at Wembley for what will undoubtedly be a special occasion for both clubs.
However, there’s no distraction from the job in hand this afternoon. This is League One football; there are points at stake and at this stage of the season they are as important as they come.
It’s been a positive week for us on the pitch. Football sentiment has a habit of shifting quickly, and after a run where results didn’t quite match the effort and application, we’ve had two wins that have given everyone a lift. Perhaps more importantly, they’ve reinforced the direction of travel and some added belief in what is being built.
The game at Wycombe last weekend was always going to be a difficult one. They’ve made a habit of turning Adams Park into a tough place to go, they’re well organised, and they understand their strengths. We had to be disciplined, we had to be patient, and we had to stick to the plan.
Exeter on Tuesday night, in a different way, presented another tricky test. They’re a side that play good football, one of those teams that can beat anyone and sometimes defy where they sit in the table because of the way they approach the game. They ask questions of you; they move the ball well and they’re well coached. It made for an entertaining contest and, on the night, one where we showed resilience and quality in the moments that mattered.
Across the two games, there were a number of positives for us. The most pleasing, without doubt, was seeing Eli back out there. It’s been a long road for him but having him back involved has been a real boost – not just for the team, but for everyone. It was also great to see Sverre get his introduction at the very end, too. They’re small steps individually, but big for a player we have high hopes for, and collectively, they increase the positivity and hope in what we’re nurturing.
Today presents another challenge. Stockport are, as the table testifies, a very good side, well organised, and they’ve shown throughout the season that they are capable of competing at the top end of the division. They’ll come here with some confidence and belief, which we will need to match knowing that a win suddenly places us tucked in behind the pack with everything still to play for. That’s the position we want to be in – giving ourselves a real chance as the season reaches its climax.
I’m particularly pleased for Jack and Chris. They’ve gone about their work in a diligent, honest and consistent way, and that’s not always easy when results aren’t immediately reflecting the effort being put in. They’ve stayed calm, stayed focused, and we’re now starting to see the benefits of that approach. There’s an identity beginning to take shape – something that supporters can recognise, something that reflects the values of the club. It’s not the finished article by any means, but it’s a foundation, and there’s more to come. That’s the important thing.
And a big congratulations, and the very best of luck, to the five – potentially more – of our players who head off on international duty after today’s game. It’s a tremendous reflection of the quality in this squad and something we should all be proud of.
Away from the pitch, the support in recent weeks has been excellent. Wycombe stands out in particular – we felt for you shielding your eyes against the sun for long periods – but the backing was there from start to finish. That consistency of support, home and away, makes a difference. As we’ve often said, it gives the players energy, it reinforces the connection between the pitch and the stands, and it’s something we never take for granted.
We’ve also seen some positive engagement with our supporters’ groups, and we’re committed to building on that. The Luton Town Supporters’ Trust continues to play a hugely important role in the life of the club. Their events and their ongoing support are all valued, and we want that relationship to keep evolving. That includes continuing to invite scrutiny where it’s appropriate – whether that’s around finances, kit design decisions or engaging with them on Power Court – and also looking at ways to develop a more meaningful commercial relationship with them as a shareholder in the Club.
After their pre-Christmas player event in the Eric with Kal, Clicker, Nahki, Teden and Josh, they have another one on Monday evening with three of our current Academy coaches. Paul Benson, Alex Lawless and Ronnie Henry – and one of our own in Jake Howells, who recently brought his six-year-old son Ronnie to a game for the first time – will reminisce about that first all-important promotion back to the Football League as 2013/14 Conference champions under John Still.
We also recently held a really constructive meeting with Loyal Luton Supporters’ Club, bringing some committee representatives together with the team's leadership group and Jack and Chris. It was exactly what these meetings should be – open, honest, frank, and focused on moving things forward together. That dialogue is important and it will continue.
Last night, we entertained our friends from Scandinavia – today’s match and match-ball sponsors – in a meeting where we shared ideas and thoughts on how we can embrace our overseas supporters better, particularly at Power Court.
In a similar vein, we’ve been working closely with Hatters Heritage on how we ensure the club’s history is properly represented and protected as we move forward. That includes discussions around heritage assets, museum provision and naming, making sure that what makes Luton Town unique is not only preserved, but celebrated in the right way. More news on how we get more people involved in this in due course.
Looking ahead, our Fan Engagement Board will be established and operational from next season. That will bring together a broader cross-section of supporter voices in a structured way, ensuring that engagement is not just reactive but ongoing and meaningful. There’s more detail to come on that, but it’s an important step in strengthening the relationship between us and you, our supporters.
Attention is already turning to Wembley, and ticket sales have been exceptional. Already over 28,000 sold, at the time of writing, is a fantastic effort and a real reflection of the commitment and passion for this game, especially with so many families expected to be at the game to potentially experience the national stadium for the first time. Thank you to everyone who has secured their seat. It promises to be another special occasion for us, and one we can all look forward to.
Turning briefly to the wider game, we will be submitting our annual accounts this month, as we always do. As ever, we continue to plan responsibly and with a clear focus on sustainability. While we prepare for different scenarios, our current planning reflects the realities of League One, even as we ensure we are ready for whatever may come next. Once submitted, the Trust will be invited to examine them and ask questions of our CFO Tom Schofield and others, as they do every year.
What is becoming increasingly clear across the division, however, is the ever more concerning financial landscape. The figures being reported by clubs are, in many cases, eye-watering. Significant losses are being recorded, and player wage inflation over the last two seasons has risen sharply – in some cases dramatically. As things are, it’s simply not a sustainable model, and there is a growing recognition across the game that something needs to change.
There are ongoing, productive discussions around regulation and self-regulation amongst ‘League One owners’, and while there are differing views across the leagues and stakeholders, the objectives are clear.
Further ahead, the Independent Football Regulator will begin to have a significant influence on the game over the next two to three years, starting with its licensed ownership modelling and a fresh look at owners’ and directors’ tests. We warmly welcome its arrival as the game clearly needs better governance.
Our position, as it always has been, remains consistent. We will do everything we can to operate within a financially sustainable model. It’s not always the easiest path, and it doesn’t always deliver short-term advantages, but it is the right one for the long-term health of the Club. It also aligns with our plans on the football side where we need to re-introduce some old-fashioned basic Luton principles into the squad to enable us to retain our rising ambitions. Frankly, this is why our new stadium is so critical to our future.
Finally, a word on Power Court. This is a particularly important period in the development of the project, with several key commercial components coming together at the same time. That includes appointing our construction management contractor and our primary site contractor, structuring funding agreements and progressing a range of commercial and procurement activities – all of which needs to synchronise harmoniously. It’s an intricate process, involving multiple stakeholders, and it requires careful integrated management to ensure everything aligns, but it’s all in a very good place.
The work is being approached professionally and diligently, with great care, by the whole project team, with every aspect subject to detailed scrutiny by independent auditors and technical consultants on behalf of lenders and authorities. No project of this scale gets this far without full and proper scrutiny by independent bodies, all of which we’ve calmly embraced and delivered satisfactorily.
We’re pleased with the progress being made. Over 80 per cent of the piling is now complete, the substructure for the West Stand is well underway and the general construction process is sound and on budget. As in any construction project of this scale, there will always be external factors beyond our control that we must keep a watchful eye on, but so-far-so-good and we’ll soon see the structure rise from the ground.
With the changing landscape, Power Court is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and the town itself. It’s our best and only opportunity to elevate both to the outside world and one we simply must take if we truly want to be ambitious for both.
The future is bright – and it might feel even brighter come full-time this afternoon.
Come on you Hatters!
Gary
