Luton Town first time in EPL

BINH DUONG

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

Luton players' joy after officially being promoted to the EPL next season. Photo: Reuters

In the most expensive match in the world , Luton beat Coventry 6-5 on penalties after the two teams drew 1-1 after 120 minutes. Thanks to that, Luton appeared in the EPL for the first time in their history. In the 1991-1992 season, the team at Kenilworth Road participated in the highest level of English football, then called the First Division. This tournament changed to the name EPL from the 1992-1993 season.

This achievement was beyond Luton's expectations because 9 years ago they were still playing in the fifth tier of England, the semi-professional league. Here, Luton surprisingly became the first semi-professional team to eliminate one of the EPL clubs from the FA Cup: Norwich City in 2013. Norwich's starting lineup at that time included young striker Harry Kane. By 2019, Luton returned to the Championship and persistently strived to become one of the most annoying teams in this arena.

In the 2022-23 Championship season, Luton used a three-defender formation, which was well-organized and especially effective in set pieces. Midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was a key player on the pitch as well as in the team's dressing room. In the last two seasons, Mpanzu played a total of 67 matches for Luton. If he continues to play for Luton in the EPL, Mpanzu will become the first player to play in five English divisions with the same club. Contributing to Luton's success are goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, striker Carlton Morris and captain Tom Lockyer. Lockyer is an important link in helping Luton's defense play tightly and concede only 39 goals, the second fewest in the Championship.

Luton finished third in the Championship this season, securing a play-off spot for promotion to the Premier League. Promotion forced Luton to spend at least £10m to upgrade their Kenilworth Road stadium to Premier League standards. With a capacity of just over 10,000, Kenilworth Road is the smallest stadium in the Premier League. To get into the stadium, fans have to climb up the stairs of houses next to the stadium.

The British media described Luton's promotion to the EPL as winning the lottery. "The club's 138-year history has witnessed an unprecedented miracle when they were promoted to the EPL and pocketed more than £200 million in three seasons," wrote The Mail on Sunday. Luton are expected to receive more than £200 million over the next three seasons from the EPL Organizing Committee for winning this play-off final. If they successfully stay in the first season of the EPL, that amount could increase to £290 million. Therefore, this match is considered the most expensive in the world.

In just 9 years, Luton has shared the record for the fastest promotion from the fifth division to the top flight, along with Wimbledon from 1977 to 1986. Thus, Luton is the 3rd club to play in the EPL next season after 2 teams that won direct promotion, Burnley and Sheffield United (first and second in the Championship).

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