Luton Town's historic 31-year journey to the EPL

After a long and winding trek, riddled with financial difficulties, relegations, and constant setbacks, Luton Town Football Club has risen from the lower echelons of English football to the English Premier League!

Luton Town is one of England's oldest football clubs, founded in 1885 by George Deacon. Their stadium, built in 1905, has a capacity of 10,356 and has many old-fashioned features – including wooden stands and an entrance that offers a view into the gardens of the terraced housing which borders the stadium. Kenilworth Road remains a novelty in an ever-modernizing sport.

The 'Hatters' would bounce back and forth between lower divisions, until 1955, which saw them promoted to the First Division. They were soon relegated but would fight their way back to First Division football in 1974 and 1982.

Luton Town spent a total of 16 seasons in First Division football. Their 1982 promotion gave way to a golden era of football for the club. The 'Hatters' avoided relegation in 1983 after Radomir Antic scored a decisive goal against Manchester City to save the season!

They would claim their First Division league title in 1988, after defeating Arsenal 3-2 at Kenilworth Road. Luton Town's biggest trophy in 138 years!

The North London club was one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992. Luton Town voted in favor of the British Premier League but was relegated before its introduction in 1992.

"That was annoying because we voted for the Premier League to come into existence but then we got relegated, so we've never actually set foot in it, we've not tasted any of the financial riches that have come that way," shared Kevin Harper, a life long fan of Luton and a member of Luton Town Supporters Trust.

After relegation, Luton Town entered a downward spiral, which left the club on the verge of survival. Over the next 20 years, the club suffered five relegations, and three administrations, and was penalized 40 league points as it slipped further down the rungs of England's football pyramid.

Luton's descent was so severe that 10 years ago, the 'Hatters' were fighting for their lives at the Vanarama League level (England's 5th division).

The club was "on its absolute knees" and was facing some of its darkest moments. Nevertheless, the spirit behind the 'Hatters' never died. Through savvy singing and effective management, the club rose from its ashes.

It took two decades for Luton Town to rebuild itself into a competitive team. Now it's knocking on the Premier Leagues' door.

The North London football club secured a play-off spot in the Championship after finishing 3rd in the 2022/23 season. Against all odds, Luton Town was at the front lines of the promotion battle.

Luton Town snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after knocking out Sunderland AFC in a jaw-dropping semifinal. The 'Hatters' flipped a 2-1 aggregate score, knocking out Sunderland after finalizing a 2-0 comeback in the second leg.

Fans could not believe their eyes after Tom Lockyer scored the decisive goal in the 43', securing their one-way ticket to Wembley! It could've not been scripted better.

Luton Town and Coventry City went eye for eye, scoring a goal each in the first 90 minutes. After 120 minutes of play, only penalties could decide their fate.

Both teams scored their first 5 penalties, leaving no room for error. Fankaty Dabo, Coventry's right back missed the sixth penalty which left Luton's right back, Daniel Potts a chance to seal the deal. Daniel Potts smashed it in, sending Luton Town back into the Premier League!

Luton Town returning to the Premier League means the world for both the club and the town. "This will transcend Luton. It will change the face of Luton, it will change the perception of Luton virtually overnight," said Harper.

Winning the Championship play-offs and securing promotion is a life-changing experience for Luton Town and its players. The club will receive $211m over three seasons ($360m if the club avoids relegation)!

The club is scheduled to move into a new stadium in a few year's time but in the meantime, Luton chief executive Gary Sweet told CNN that promotion would mean the club would be required to spend approximately $12.4m to improve Kenilworth Road and to ensure it meets Premier League standards.

After a successful promotion season, Luton Town has spent time and resources in order to rebuild their team into a competitive Premier League squad. The North London club signed Chiedozie Ogbene from Rotherham for $2.2m and wants to bring veteran Ashley Young to Kenilworth Road.

Chiedozie Ogbene, born May 1st, 1997, is a young Irish winger that began his career at Cork City before being transferred to Brentford in 2018. He later moved to Rotherham United in 2019 where he excelled as an attacking player. During the 2022-23 season, Ogbene scored 10 goals and delivered 4 assists in 47 matches.

Ashley Young finished his contract with Aston Villa in 2023, and Unai Emery is looking for a younger profile to substitute the veteran defender. Now 37, Young is the experienced defender Luton Town needs, a veteran leader within the pitch.

In order to make space for the new arrival, Luton Town has released four players from their last year's squad. Sonny Bradley (Derby County), Harry Isted (Charlton Athletic), Henri Lansbury (free agent), Ehtan Horvath (Nottingham Forest). This frees up $3.5m for future transfers.

With club finances secured and a Kenilworth Road getting a "lifting", North London's Luton Town will remain a novelty in the ever-modernizing sport. Well done 'Hatters'!