Mad Hatters glee social gathering! We sign up for the Luton lovers for their historic initially match in the Leading League… and even a hefty defeat at Brighton can not dampen spirits
It is 10.30am on Saturday when a acquainted voice seems over the speakers at Luton train station. It is Mick Harford, the neighborhood legend, with an important announcement for all travellers.
‘Today is the day,’ suggests Harford, now the club’s main recruitment officer after decades of company as a player and mentor. ‘The mighty Hatters are in Brighton having on the Seagulls in their initial recreation in the best flight for around 30 a long time. You should bear in mind to put everyone’s safety very first and stand behind the yellow line on the platform. Thanks for your guidance and let us go you Hatters!’
To get a glimpse of Harford, you only will need to cross the road in which he adorns the aspect of the George II pub. At the nearby High quality corner store, fans are stocking up on supplies. That consists of the chap sporting an orange afro wig with tinnie in hand. He is upset the Luton Kebab Home isn’t open but.
These actively playing it safer — a Premier League away day is a marathon, not a sprint, remember — grab a coffee to go from Caffe Kimbo on System One as they await the 10.43am to Brighton.
Not that we can begrudge people deciding upon to rejoice this celebration by acquiring sozzled. Luton’s journey back to the top rated tier was hellishly lengthy. It included monetary oblivion and details deductions and dropping 5-1 to Gateshead in front of 382 lovers as they spent 5 years misplaced in non-League.
Luton legend Mick Harford led the day of partying in Brighton from Luton educate station
The Hatters travelled in their quantities and savored their very first prime flight game for around 30 years
Today, that journey is only a two-hour teach trip to Brighton, and even the station engineer at the turnstile entrance is sporting a bright orange dickie bow. The ‘Thameslink Derby’ awaits supporters travelling from 1 conclude of the network to the other and to mark the event, Mail Sport joined them for their historic day. As Harford said: ‘Let’s go.’
Though the fanbase are sensible — they realise they are favourites for relegation — they are optimistic of an opening-working day acquire. Max, Luton born and bred, suggests 2-1. George thinks 1-. Alex says 2-. None were being born when Luton previous showcased in the major flight in 1992.
Craig was, and he thinks 1-1, a stoppage-time Brighton penalty spoiling their get together. ‘That’ll be our welcome to the Leading League from VAR,’ he laughs. ‘But we’ll change up. I surely do not see us getting rid of.’ His mate texted him previously: ‘Before you rejoice a goal, recall VAR can disallow it.’
A lot more admirers get on at St Albans Town, and then at St Pancras, until these standing are squished like sardines. ‘This train has been delayed by overcrowding,’ claims an announcement and we are 15 minutes late pulling into Brighton.
It turns out Luton’s optimism is misguided. Just after catching our relationship to Falmer and the Amex Stadium, we check out Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect present their experience, with their gamers obtaining racked up 1,621 Leading League online games. Luton’s setting up line-up have 63 among them and Brighton rating, then score once more, then all over again and once more.
Brighton confirmed their skilled as they condemned Luton to an opening working day defeat
They are sublime and the consensus is that Evan Ferguson, an 18-12 months-previous substitute in this article, will turn out to be a striker that they are someday slapping with 1 of their £100million cost tags. Ferguson will get the previous as Brighton finish with 4 to Luton’s just one, a penalty scored by Carlton Morris.
But Luton were in the activity for big sections. At 2-1, an terrible blunder by Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu proved high-priced. Brighton supporters go away singing: ‘We are top rated of the league.’ Soon adopted by: ‘You are bottom of the league.’ Inaccurate, but they are also delirious to examine.
Luton’s admirers eventually respond: ‘There’s only a person Micky Harford.’
Right after conquering some atrocious delays on the Thameslink community because of to trespassers, they commit the journey dwelling dissecting the 1st of what they fear may well be many Leading League defeats this season. At minimum the Luton Kebab Dwelling awaits.
Luton’s Amari’i Bell (left) faces an FA cost about the Nike headband he wore for the duration of the recreation