At the moment, the dream of Luton Town FC moving lock, stock and barrel to Power Court still seems a long way off.
For the next few years, maybe even four or five seasons, it looks very much as if Kenilworth Road will remain our home.
But Kenilworth Road itself has changed substantially over the years.
As a young lad I can recall standing on the wooden terrace in the Bobbers Stand, with my late father, the Bobbers Stand, over the years, has progressed from standing to seated and then to those holiday style chalet executive boxes that now run the length of the pitch.
Growing older and venturing into the Oak Road Stand, I can recall standing in the middle section and swaying backwards and forward with the other Luton supporters and, occasionally, having to withstand invasions by the away support, usually London based clubs. Changes, over the years, have also seen the stand become all-seated but worse still, handed over to the away support.
I’ve also spent many a fixture stood on the Kenilworth Road terrace, once a vast section of terracing that was, over the years, to be separated into three sections, by those architectural marvels, the blue tunnels, primarily to be able to segregate the home support from the away support. But, it is fair to say, the Kenilworth Road Stand has undergone the biggest change, a roof was erected, seats were fitted and it now houses the vociferous home support.
As for the Maple Road Stand, I’ve stood in various sections of the lower tier, near the dug-outs, near the tunnel, the other side of the tunnel near the oak Road Stand and, of course, like many, on the triangle, closely monitoring the game and the away support, all part of growing up. But, like the other three areas of the ground, that to has changed, bench style seats have been fitted and the major development saw the David Preece Stand erected in the corner, a seated area that has circa 700 seats.
But, looking back, I do miss the old ground as it was, I’m normally all in favour of change, but, perhaps because it was during my formative years that I first started to follow the Hatters that I fell in love with the wonderful choice of which terrace to stand on, how about you?
Please feel free to have your say on the stadium and which period of its development you prefer, simply drop a comment into the facility beneath this article.
COYH’s
How Old Are You?
Below 25!
26-50!
51 and over!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – Please Tell Me Someone Is Having A Laugh
Blimey MH, that post of yours has taken me back in time in a good way. I also remember those days when the Bobbers Stand was standing, that’s where I witnessed my first game on Boxing Day 1962 v. Chelsea, unfortunately we lost 2-0!! I also remember the floodlights above each goal before we had the current flooding fitted. The Kenilworth Road end had lights erected on what looked like scaffolding just to give some light in the penalty area on those dark Sat afternoons! I also recall the home support walking through the Bobbers Stand during half time to stand behind whichever goal we were attacking in the second half!! Imagine that now!!
remember doing that walk myself
Get ready 2 stay there
Till at least 2027
Been waiting since 1948
15 times at we moveing
Still there
The long running saga (or farce) of LTFC getting a new ground has now reached a totally absurd level.
I’m 76 and I doubt I will see it in my lifetime.
The board issue periodic status statements indicating progress as they have done for years but yet a projected completion date is still not forthcoming.
Other clubs over the years say since the Kohler Drome have built new stadiums and yet here we still are in the ageing, not fit for purpose but loveable Kenny.
Can the board please come clean and manage our expectations.
I have been a Hatters fan since my early childhood when my Father and Uncle took me to watch the team and we stood in the Kenilworth Rd stand. I was passed down the front and watched the game peering between the railings to witness the likes of Baynham or Stretton protecting our goal. Later we progressed to seats in the Main Stand but those early memories remain with me to this day. Now 78 years of age and living in Norwich I cannot get to visit the home stadium and have to satisfy my passion for the Hatters watching their games on tv and reading this excellent website news. There have been two occasions though when I have watched the team live, when due to the generosity of friends, I saw the game when Luton were non league and beat Norwich in the cup and this season when we got a similar league result.
I think I’m running out of friends who dare invite me to their ground !!!! Would love to see Luton get their new stadium in my lifetime.