Mick Harford said it will be a ‘beautiful’ moment when he walks out onto the pitch at Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon, leading the team as we host Rotherham United.
The Luton legend will take interim charge against one of his former clubs following Nathan Jones’ departure, and in doing so now means he would have managed Luton Town in four different divisions – Conference, League Two, League and now the Championship.
CEO Gary Sweet shared his thoughts on Big Mick taking charge once again, matching those of every Luton fan.
“We love him and everyone here loves him. We’ve gone back a long way and there are very, very few people in this world that I’ve got more respect for than Mick.
“I know all our supporters feel the same and I really urge everyone to get behind him on Saturday. I trust his knowledge. I trust him 100 per cent on Saturday’s game, and so do the board. And I think it’s another poignant game where Mick, after the battle he’s been through over the last couple of years, can actually stand in front of everybody.
“While we can’t say he’s quite beaten it, he has certainly come through the other side a stronger man and I’m really proud of him for that.”
Sharing his own emotions before the match, Harford told the local press just how we will feel at 3pm on Saturday.
“It’s an experience that’s unbelievable really. I don’t know how to put it into words. The hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
“I’ve always said it, for me, I’m a Sunderland fan but these are the best fans in the country by a mile. The way they support the team and get behind everyone.
“What they’ve done for me over the last two years, the fans, the community, the support they’ve given me, I owe a lot to them.
“They’re just a brilliant bunch of fans and they’re always, always there for the football club. The ups and downs they’ve had over the previous years, and they keep coming back. They turn out for the players, give their support to everyone and I’m just really looking forward to the day.
“The main focus on the day is to try and get three points. I’m sure, with their backing and their help, we’ll give it a really good go.”
The 63-year-old confirmed he will be joined by Alan McCormack, Alex Lawless and Adrian Forbes in the dugout, all of whom he hopes will play a ‘big part’ in the future coaching set-up.
His main focus at the weekend, though, is getting three points: “I’ll be focused on the team, focused on the opposition, trying to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses and hopefully hurt them in certain ways, and get a win. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what it’s been all my life as a player, a coach and a manager.
“All I want to do on a Saturday afternoon is get a win and get that feel good factor.”