Cauley Woodrow has penned a new long-term contract extension at Luton with manager Rob Edwards saying the striker scored arguably the most important goal of his time in charge of the club.
The forward returned to his boyhood club last summer, having left to join Premier League Fulham as a 16-year-old when Town were in the non-league.
It took until his ninth appearance, but the 28-year-old finally scored his first-ever senior Hatters goal with a last-minute winner to beat Norwich on Boxing Day after being reduced to ten men with Gabriel Osho’s sending off.
That was also Edwards’ first home game in charge after replacing Nathan Jones in November, with the team having struggled to just two home wins at that stage of the season.
It proved to be a catalyst for Luton’s promotion push, which saw them finish third in the Championship and win promotion via the play-offs.
“Looking back, Cauley arguably scored the most important goal after we came in, which was against Norwich at home on Boxing Day,” said the manager.
“Down to ten men, we went for it and put him on and thankfully he did what we know he can do.
“He scored a brilliant goal and I think that really got the whole thing going for us. A home win, the first for a while – it got a lot of belief going and helped create a connection between us and the supporters. It really helped us, so Cauley played a huge part in us building momentum.”
Though Woodrow made 32 appearances (23 from the bench), two big injury setbacks meant he wasn’t available for the Wembley showpiece in May where Town got promoted with a 6-5 penalty shootout win over Coventry.
Edwards told the club’s website: “Cauley has had a frustrating time since we came in. When we arrived he was just coming back from injury and worked extremely hard to get himself fit.
“He may not have been starting matches, but he was coming on a lot as the first sub to be introduced and was always very important, whether we were winning or losing games.
“I thought he was excellent when he started against Rotherham and Reading, but unfortunately he hurt himself again, and although he tried really hard to come back for the play-off semi-final, he then broke down again which ruled him out for the final.”
The manager added: “He still chipped in with goals, but it was his all-round play, his work-rate, which again we know that we need, that’s what we are about.
“He’s a local lad and he’s had a little bit of Premier League experience in the past with Fulham, so he’ll be desperate to try and get some more. He’ll be someone who will be very hungry now to come back, try and impress and show what he’s about.
“He’s a brilliant human being as well. I love seeing him around the place, always smiling, always gives everything, so I’m really pleased that he’s agreed to extend his contract with us.”
