A recap of the new faces who have arrived ahead of the season back in the Football League
The Town have made two new signings since Saturday to take the number of new faces at Kenilworth Road to six.
Forgotten who they are? Or just been on holiday and missed them all?
Fear not, here’s a run-down of who’s who.
CURTLEY WILLIAMS
Position: Defender
Signed from: Lowestoft Town
Bio: A former Ipswich scholar whose primary position is right-back. Spent time in Spain at the Glenn Hoddle Academy before spells in non-league. Helped Lowestoft to the Play-Offs in his first season before enjoying another successful campaign in Suffolk last term, with the club winning promotion through the Play-Offs.
Still says: Curtley is an ambitious man who comes under the ‘young and hungry’ bracket, and one we see having a bright future ahead of him. He likes to get forward, he has great energy and pace, and he is an ideal age. He’s not a kid, not a teenager that perhaps lacks that little bit of nous, but he’s got experienced and, mostly importantly, he’s a player who we see can improve and develop further.
He says: Playing for Lowestoft has done me the world of good and I’ve learned so much and feel I’ve improved a lot as a player. Now I’m at Luton I’m determined work even harder to get better and help the team to continue its success. WATCH MORE ON HATTERS PLAYER.
ROSS LAFAYETTE
Position: Striker
Signed from: Welling United
Bio: Strong and pacey frontman who scored 39 goals in 90 matches with former club Welling, who he helped win the Conference South in 2012/13. A regular scorer further down the pyramid he also has experience of coaching in the United States.
Still says: Ross showed that he could make the step-up from the Conference South to the Conference Premier. He has a lot of ingredients which make him an ideal signing. He’s quick, he’s strong and he knows how to score goals. However, the one thing that stood out for me during the talks was the player’s hunger and desire to do well for himself. That was the key.
He says: I’m quick, strong, I’m a target man. At the same time I can run at people from wide areas, and score goals in the top corner…That’s pretty much my game, I like to link-up with my strike partner. Last season I was used to playing in a 4-3-3 with me as the focal point. I scored a lot of goals and got my fair share of assists, and I’ll be looking to bring that to the table next season. WATCH MORE ON HATTERS PLAYER.
RICKY MILLER
Position: Striker
Signed from: Boston United
Bio: Last season’s Conference North player of the year and top goalscorer who ended the campaign with a haul of 28 goals for Boston. Previously on the books of Rothwell and Stamford, the striker began his career on the books at Charlton as a youngster.
Still says: Ricky reminds me of a Kevin Phillips-type striker in and around the box, sniffing out chances, and a Craig Mackail-Smith-type striker when he hasn’t got the ball, with his work-rate and enthusiasm. He’s a striker that likes to run in behind, he chases everything and puts defenders under pressure.
He says: Last season was good for me personally but it was still only a learning curve. What have I got to learn? Everything. You can always improve every aspect of your game and under John and the coaching staff my aim is to get better, break into the team and then help this club get promoted. WATCH MORE ON HATTERS PLAYER.
ANDY DRURY
Position: Midfield
Signed from: Crawley Town
Bio: No stranger to Kenilworth Road, creative midfielder Drury returns to the club he left in January 2011. Scored eight goals in just 26 matches in his first spell for the Hatters after joining from Stevenage. Left the Hatters for Ipswich, playing in the Championship before two spells at Crawley.
Still says: Andy’s a very experienced player and who has got that extra nous too. He’s played in the Championship and in League 1 in recent seasons and I know what he’s capable of. When we had the conversation it was clear he was keen to come back to Kenilworth Road because he left before he could help the club to promotion. This year he could have stayed in League 1 but he has decided to join us again because he wants to push on – and, because he’s a good player, I am sure that will be the case.
He says: Luton has always been a massive club and while it took them a bit longer than expected to get back in the League the aim this season is to definitely go for promotion again. League 2 is a tough league, though, but with the players we’ve got here there’s no reason why not. I am looking forward to helping the club achieve success. It’s good to be in League 2 but this club still doesn’t belong at this level. The Championship is where I feel it really should be at. WATCH MORE ON HATTERS PLAYER.
PAUL CONNOLLY
Position: Defender
Signed from: Crawley Town
Bio: Hugely experienced right-back who has enjoyed almost 10 years’ worth of football in the Championship with spells at Plymouth, Leeds, Derby and Millwall. Most recently with Crawley.
Still says: It was always my intention when Ronnie Henry left to have someone of knowledge and experience in that position. However it’s always about finding the right one. It’s easy to just go out and get any old player. You should never rush things. We’ve been able to bring in somebody of Paul’s ability and experience which is fantastic. He’ll be a good addition for us.
He says: Luton are bigger than most clubs in League 1 so it’s not a problem for me playing in League 2. I don’t think this club is a League 2 club. It is, obviously, but I don’t think it will be for long. To get 7,000 fans in the Conference certainly makes you think what the potential is. From the squad I’ve seen on paper I think we have a good chance of kicking on. Signing Andy Drury is a massive statement of intent and I think the young players we have, together with the more experienced ones, like me, can really help us be a success this season. I wanted to join a club that is moving in the right direction and this club certainly is on the up. WATCH MORE ON HATTERS PLAYER.
LUKE WILKINSON
Position: Defender
Signed from: Dagenham & Redbridge
Bio: Centre-half who has previously played under John Still whilst with Dagenham. The former Bristol City and Portsmouth defender enjoyed a successful spell on-loan at Dartford before nailing down a place with the Daggers and was voted their player of the year two seasons ago.
Still says: Luke is a top class player. We brought him in from Portsmouth and really progressed with us. In the last year I was there he was Dagenham’s player of the season. He was absolutely outstanding. He’s very powerful in the air, he can play both sides. When we first had him, his playing style and stature reminded us of a young Tony Adams. Although he’s still young, he’s had plenty of Football League experience and he’s a strong character.
He says: I’ve come to Luton to prove myself and to get into the team but I’m under no illusions of how difficult that is going to be. John knows how I play and I know how we wants me to play. The gaffer signed me at Daggers and it was a real pull for me. He wanted me, I wanted to come, it was a no brainer. Everything just felt right. The club, the manager, the fans. This is the right place for me and I’m keen to kick on now. WATCH MORE ON HATTERS PLAYER.