Luton Town to participate in the EPL for the first time.

BINH DUONG

A thrilling victory over Coventry City in the play-off final last weekend secured Luton Town the final spot in the English Premier League (EPL) for the 2023-2024 season.

The joy of the Luton players after officially securing promotion to the EPL next season. Photo: Reuters.

In the world's most expensive football match, Luton beat Coventry 6-5 on penalties after the two teams drew 1-1 in 120 minutes. This victory marked Luton's first-ever appearance in the EPL. In the 1991-1992 season, the Kenilworth Road team competed in England's top league, then known as the First Division. The league changed its name to EPL from the 1992-1993 season onwards.

This achievement was beyond Luton's expectations, as just nine years prior they were playing in the fifth tier of English football, a semi-professional league. There, Luton unexpectedly became the first semi-professional team to eliminate an EPL club from the FA Cup: Norwich City in 2013. Norwich's starting lineup at the time included young striker Harry Kane. In 2019, Luton returned to the Championship and persistently strived to become one of the most formidable teams in the league.

In the 2022-2023 Championship season, Luton employed a well-organized three-defender formation, particularly effective in set pieces. Midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was a key player both on and off the pitch. In the last two seasons, Mpanzu made a total of 67 appearances for Luton. If he continues with Luton in the EPL, Mpanzu will become the first player to play in all five English leagues for the same club. Contributing to Luton's success were goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, striker Carlton Morris, and captain Tom Lockyer. Lockyer was a crucial link in Luton's defense, keeping it tight and conceding only 39 goals, the second fewest in the Championship.

Luton finished third in the Championship this season, earning a spot in the play-offs for promotion to the EPL. This promotion required Luton to spend at least £10 million to upgrade their Kenilworth Road stadium to meet EPL standards. With a capacity of just over 10,000 seats, Kenilworth Road is the smallest stadium among EPL clubs currently playing. To enter, fans have to climb up the steps of nearby houses to get inside.

British media described Luton's promotion to the Premier League as a lottery win. "The club's 138-year history has witnessed an unprecedented miracle: promotion to the Premier League and pocketing over £200 million in three seasons," wrote The Mail on Sunday. Luton is expected to receive over £200 million over the next three seasons from the Premier League organizers thanks to winning this play-off final. If they successfully avoid relegation in their first season in the Premier League, that amount could increase to £290 million. Therefore, this match is considered the most expensive in the world.

In just nine years, Luton shared the record for the fastest promotion from the fifth tier to the top flight, with Wimbledon between 1977 and 1986. Thus, Luton is the third club to play in the EPL next season, following Burnley and Sheffield United (who finished first and second in the Championship) who secured direct promotion.

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