Luton – It Is All In The Name

I have always been intrigued at the names of some football clubs, names that are so different to others.

While many carry the moniker United, City, Wanderers, Town and Rovers, there are several exceptions that have unusual names, three which spring to mind being Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Preston North End.

But could Luton have also had a strange moniker?

Well, it could well have been the case.

Back in April 1885, the Hatters were formed by a merger between two other clubs, those clubs being Luton Wanderers and Luton Excelsior.

I am guessing that it was agreed that because of the merger, the moniker Town would be used.

But what if one of those two clubs that merged held the upper hand and insisted, they retain their name.

Now I am not talking about the Wanderers tag but more the Excelsior one.

Striding through the Leagues as Luton Excelsior Football Club would have been so different, but then again, on reflection, the tag Excelsior does remind me of a hotel!

Can anyone shed any light on the history of either Luton Wanderers or Luton Excelsior?

COYH’s