Luton Town FC is set to face Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday. The match could potentially see Luton secure promotion to the Premier League, which would mark a remarkable journey for the team that saw them drop out of the Football League in 2009 due to financial irregularities.
The club has been slowly working their way back up the pyramid over the years. Last season’s promotion hopes from the Championship finished with a loss in the semi-finals under former boss Nathan Jones.
Former Hatters striker Mick Harford, who is now the team’s chief recruitment officer, believes that Luton will remain grounded as they aim for the Premier League. He acknowledges that while the game is one of the biggest in the club’s history, the focus must remain on their long-term goals.
Harford says that Luton’s time in the Conference gave them a bit of grounding and that they should never forget how far they have come. He adds that the team must continue to do the right things and show a lot of respect, as they have no divine right to be at the top of the pyramid.
Luton has been diligent in their recruitment, trying to sign the best kind of players and the best people with good characters. Harford notes that it has not always been easy, as the club was unable to sign certain players due to financial constraints.
He credits the team’s success to the great culture and environment at the club. Harford says that they have created a great vibe at the training ground over the last few months, and the togetherness and the spirit of the players, and the camaraderie, have been excellent.
The team is looking forward to a challenging game against Coventry, who have also come a long way. Harford says that the atmosphere at Wembley will be incredible, and it will be an exciting day. Luton supporters are hoping that it falls in their favour.
In addition to his role at the club, Harford is supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s Prostate FC campaign as he continues to receive treatment for the disease. Luton’s head matchday hospitality host Les Turton has also undergone successful surgery following his own diagnosis. Harford is calling on football fans to join Prostate FC, helping to raise awareness of the risk factors, fund research, and save lives in every club across the UK.
