IN FOCUS: LUTON TOWN (2022)

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With the new Sky Bet Championship season now approaching, we bring you the lowdown on all 23 of our league opponents

2022-07-06T08:40:30.464Z

IN FOCUS: LUTON TOWN (2022)

With the new Sky Bet Championship season now approaching, we bring you the lowdown on all 23 of our league opponents

2022-07-06T08:40:30.464Z

With the new Sky Bet Championship season now approaching, we bring you the lowdown on all 23 of our league opponents

Founded in 1885, Luton were the first football club in southern England to turn professional, joining the Football League system ahead of the 1897-98 campaign before withdrawing in 1900 due to financial issues.

Then re-joining in 1920, steady progress – with various promotions and relegations – saw the club reach the First Division in the mid 50s, eventually dropping right the way through the pyramid to the Fourth Division and making their way back to the top by the mid 70s.

Winners of the Second Division in 1981-82, the Hatters went on to win their only major honour to date – the Football League Cup – in 1988, beating Arsenal in the competition’s final.

Luton dropped out of the top flight the season before the Premier League began and have not been able to get back since. Financial issues saw them drop from the Championship to the National League in successive relegations between 2007 and 2009.

Spending five years in non-league, the climb back began in 2013-14, winning the National League title. Successive promotions between 2017 and 2019 saw them back to the second tier, where they reached the play-offs last term.

Stadium: Kenilworth Road (10,356) – 1 Maple Road, Luton, LU4 8AW

Nickname(s): The Hatters

Manager: Nathan Jones

2021/22 Finishing Position: 6th (Beaten in the Play-Off Semi-Finals)

2021/22 Top Scorer: Elijah Adebayo (16)

Notable Connections: Ex-Claret Steve Davis – who played for the club more than 300 times across three spells, coached at Turf Moor and twice became caretaker manager – also featured over 100 times for Luton.

As did Graham Alexander, making 150 appearances for the Hatters before playing 154 times in a Burnley shirt, scoring 20 times.

Playing alongside Alexander in our 2009 Championship Play-Off final win over Sheffield United, centre back Clarke Carlisle also spent a brief month on loan with Luton in 2007, prior to his transfer to Turf Moor. During his time at Kenilworth Road, Carlisle appeared 5 times.

Last Time We Met: It’s been 15 years since the two clubs last met, and nearly 16 since either last registered a goal against one another.

In the 2006/2007 Championship season – which saw Burnley finish 15th while Town were relegated – there was a goalless draw at Turf Moor. Notably, Clarke Carlisle made one of his five appearances for Luton that afternoon.

In the preceding reverse fixture, Scotsman Andy Gray struck a brace to seal a 2-0 away win for the Clarets.

Full Record (All Competitions): P: 51 - W: 23, D: 12, L: 16

Fixtures in the 2022/23 season: 06.08.22 (H – Turf Moor) / 18.02.23 (A – Kenilworth Road)