Luton Outlaws - Independent Message Board for Luton Town FC

From last night including a PC update

Good evening and welcome back to Kenilworth Road. Late summer evening games here always have that special kind of feeling, don’t they? Make the most of the t-shirt weather – the dark, cold evenings of winter will soon roll around!

Tonight, we welcome Wigan Athletic who make the long trip down from Lancashire. On the subject of the weather, I vividly remember driving home in the snow on the motorway after our last meeting with the Latics, an FA Cup replay victory in January 2023.

Our meetings in recent years have always been full of incident, and I always look back fondly on the late 2-1 win over Wigan here in December 2019 thanks to late goals from Callum McManaman and George Moncur. Callum returns with Wigan this evening and we wish him and the Latics all the best of the remainder of the season.

We go into tonight’s game buoyed by a reasonably solid start to the season after a summer of substantial change, on and off the pitch.

Change has not been for the sake of it, but the refresh in the playing squad has reshaped us and will sharpen us for the battles that lie ahead in League One. Across the business we have worked hard to make sure we have made our adjustments with purpose, whether that is on the pitch or behind the scenes.
It is still early days and whilst our performance on Saturday was below where we want it to be and below where it will be in games ahead, we have seen some signs of the plan coming together with some early indications of positivity in the right direction.

These were certainly evident in pre-season. The work ethic and atmosphere about the place have sown those early seeds, with Matt and his team making the most of their first trip to Slovenia to outline and implement their vision for the coming season and beyond.

Pre-season’s momentum was carried into the start of the season which began positively with two victories, here against AFC Wimbledon on the opening night of the campaign and then at Peterborough.

At Coventry, despite the defeat, while disappointed to exit a competition that means so much to us, there was plenty to be upbeat about. The most enjoyable part of the evening was witnessing the full debut of Christian Chigozie, who at 17, never looked out of place up against a seasoned Championship strikeforce. Congratulations, Chigsy, you are a credit to yourself and your family.

Christian was not the only young player to be given a chance at the CBS Arena and it was heartening to see such a young side play with a freedom and confidence. Not only does it bode well for the future – after all, we never just planned for ‘today’ – but it also highlighted the strength in depth available to Matt which is going to be vital throughout the next 10 months.

At Bradford at the weekend, we hit a bump in the road, where we were brought back down to earth following a disappointing result and performance. As Matt and many of the players said afterwards, we were simply not at it – and we hope this will act as a reminder to everyone that this division will not show any mercy. However, knowing the characters and make-up of the squad, they will be desperate to bounce back quickly tonight.

Picking up early points before a brand-new team has had time to find its feet bodes well for our character. On the way home from Yorkshire on Saturday evening I was reminded that the last time we were in League One we picked up a measly point after three games – the very season Mick romped us home to the title at the end. It serves as a reminder that patience will be required to allow Matt and co to knit this team together and allow players time to settle and build partnerships across the pitch.

This summer has seen us work hard in our recruitment to build a squad that contains, first and foremost, the kind of character to stand up to the rigours of the division, but as we’ve said, also build for the future too. Our work in the transfer market has reflected this but, instead of going into detail here, I urge you to read the Supporters’ Trust’s comprehensive interview with Yousuf Sajjid, our recruitment manager, which goes in-depth into how the transfer process works, including how targets are identified before they sign on the dotted line.

I won’t tread on Yousuf’s toes, but I will say every signing we make is made with purpose. We want quality, yes, but also character. People who fit the Luton way – hard-working, ambitious, and ready to put the team before themselves – but also players who get you off your seat and make you proud to be a Luton fan.
We also want our new recruits to grow into their skin at Luton, which is where I ask you to give them the support and backing to do so.

Off the pitch, we’ve been busy building and maintaining our partnerships, and this is my first opportunity to welcome on board Capital Sky as our principal sponsors.

As you may know, our relationship has been ongoing over the last couple of years, with Capital Sky taking on the major construction project at Kenilworth Road to build and install the Bobbers Stand ahead of the Premier League season, and who are currently on the site of Power Court, working on projects at our new stadium. We’re delighted to have Martin Maloney and his team on board and to have their name adorning the front of our shirts this season. Sponsorship isn’t just about logos on shirts, though, it’s about relationships that help us grow on and off the pitch, and we’re all looking forward to what we can achieve together.

We have also made a number of appointments behind-the-scenes to elevate areas of the business which have already borne fruit.
None more so than our replica shirts, where we’re happy to have held our promise of this year delivering both home and away kits in the club shop in time for the team wearing them in league action. The feedback on the designs have been positive and, while we’re proud to be leading the way in sustainability, we’re still keen on producing quality kits that look and feel the part. It was certainly great to see so many away shirts on display on Saturday.

For those who like a surprise, a third kit is just around the corner. We aim to unveil it alongside the Supporters’ Trust, who have played a significant part in the designs of all shirts, in the coming fortnight.

In the midst of so much transformation, the one constant that remains, regardless, is you! The away ends at Peterborough and Bradford once more showed that your passion and loyalty knows no bounds and we appreciate every single one of you who has taken time and spent money travelling to watch the team since we were last here at Kenilworth Road.

Tonight is no exception. The lads will need our support from the first minute until the last, and we’ll be hoping for another three points. The Wimbledon game was another great reminder of how important backing the team until the end is. I think you would all agree that it won’t be the last time we experience a game like that this season, so continue to keep the decibel level high even when the going gets tough. Kenilworth Road is a special place for us – but one we need to make tougher and intimidating for the opposition. If we can all harness that and make it a fortress, then we’re half-way there.

Before I sign-off, I’m delighted to confirm that Power Court progresses and remains on track. Many of you who travel on the train line may have spotted that the new substation is now a mere flick away from being switched over and it won’t be long before the water-flow of the River Lea is redirected along its new channel. Once these momentous events are done and dusted we can then finally start planning to pile for our new stadium which, whatever happens on or off the pitch, is absolutely the most important project for our football club currently.

So, with a summer of rebuilding the team and the project of building our future, we’re seeing signs of definite progress.
Finally, please join us in the seventh minute to celebrate the life of Adam Dilley. One of our own, Adam was Luton through and through and will be missed by us all, none more so by his young family, parents and his friends. Rest in peace, Adam.

COYH!

Gary