Reading through the comments that the Vital Luton Town fraternity leaves beneath articles, one caught my eye.
With the Hatters, seemingly, no nearer deciding who will be the next incumbent of the managerial hot seat, one name was left in the comment facility that brought back a few memories, that of Kevin Blackwell.
Blackwell occupied the Hatters hotseat from March 2007 until January 2008, not the lengthiest of spells in charge but a period in the history of Luton Town that was a turbulent one.
When Blackwell signed on the dotted line, on 27-March-2007, the Hatters were entrenched in the bottom three in the Championship, 9 points from safety with just 3 games to go. A forlorn situation which saw the Hatters, consequently, relegated.
Needing to rebuild the side, Blackwell was responsible for the departures of:
• Leon Barnett
• Kevin Foley
• Russ Perrett
• Adam Boyd
• Markus Heikkinen
As for recruits, among others, Blackwell brought the following to the club:
• Paul Peschisolido
• Chris Perry
• Don Hutchinson
• Paul McVeigh
• Paul Furlong
• Alan Goodall
• Richard Jackson
• Dave Edwards
But as we said earlier, these were turbulent times for Luton Town and on 22-November entered administration whilst also suffering the indignity of having 10-points deducted as a punishment.
With the club under financial pressure, Blackwell inferred he would be leaving Luton after serving a months’ notice but instead found himself axed, by the administrator, before his month was up.
Blackwell was replaced by Mick Harford but the Hatters favourite couldn’t save the club and Luton were relegated for the second consecutive season.
But, one good thing to come from the carnage was the emergence of the 2020 consortium who took the club over.
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Town – Still 500 Deaths A Day And Still The Quest Is To Resume The 2019 / 2020 Season
Hi mh, as you pointed out Blackwell joined when the club was in utter termoil. An I think he was unfairly treated by us supporters. I suspect the owners were asset stripping. To line there own pockets before administration. And he had no say in transfers. He maybe was maligned unfairly. But what do I know
Hi mh, so the latest news from the Kenny is that no new manager for now. And a reduction in the size of the squad. I don’t suppose that is really a surprise in the current climate. And an anyway I feel we have always done best with a small tight squad. Just look to the past when we’ve had our best seasons. But I’m still against restarting football now as I feel its still to early. But what do I know. An I’m sure some contributers will disagree.
Hi, I think Chris is right in saying that KB got a bit of a raw deal in his time at Luton & was maybe used as a scapegoat to a degree by the board to cover up their own failings.. on the subject regarding no new manager, Gary Sweet has stated its to cut costs aimed at keeping the club afloat which I think most of us had thought this was indeed the reasoning behind that decision. I think the problem we are facing now is that while the population is not immunised from the virus then safety cannot be guaranteed whether it be playing football or going shopping etc, so I feel the stark facts are unless we can find a way round this massive problem or a vaccine can be quickly found then I fear clubs will fold because they won’t have any income to continue trading. Maybe one answer could be to just put a stop on everything & freeze players contracts so when the game resumes then complete the rest of it before resigning or moving. Of course some players may have to claim benefits or do different work but it’s the same for millions of other workers with a similar problem. But I still think ultimately it may come down to playing but with as minimal risk as possible, empty or sparsely populated stadiums with fans paying to watch? or clubs freezing everything if possible or else folding I’m afraid to say, that’s what I think in my humble opinion but like all of us I really hope it’s not the latter.
Hi Al, can’t fault your logic an I don’t really think the authorities have got a clue about what to do. As usual they are all airey fairy an still live in the 60s. Not an ounce of sense among them sadly.
Hi Chris, I agree with you there 100%. I feel the government(& football authorities) have made such a mess of everything & whatever happens with football this awful disease could have been under a lot more control by now if not for their total ineptitude & could have meant if some leagues are indeed completed as looks more likely right now it could have potentially been a lot more safer than it currently is. Also I don’t personally think its fair to finish a season on points per game averages either. So of course don’t think promotion or relegation should be a given because of unpredictability in football. I feel it should have been either null & void or put on hold till its really safe then completed although the club have said if they don’t complete all their commitments they will lose even more revenue than they will at present.