FA Cup clash against Chelsea is about the glory and a reward for Luton fans, says Sweet

An FA Cup fifth round clash at Stamford Bridge would be more financially lucrative for Luton Town but chief executive Gary Sweet says tonight’s tie more about the glory.

Town host the Blues at Kenilworth Road, but The Football Association requires both clubs to split the net ticket revenue evenly.

With Kenilworth Road’s capacity at around 10,000, they would’ve have earned more from tickets at Chelseas HQ, which is almost 42,000.

While the winner of tonight’s tussle will pocket around £180,000, for Luton it’s more the prestige of reaching the quarter finals.

Asked on The Athletic Football Podcast about tonight’s televised clash, Sweet said: “It’ll be more fortunate if it was away. But we’re happy to have them at home, because it gives us a good chance. 

“I’m not complaining. We’re doing fine on that but really what we need to do is beat Chelsea and get Tottenham or Man United away. Or not Man United any more (because they’re out), but someone big away, to get a big cheque. 

“This is actually about the glory for us. We love the FA Cup. We actually played Chelsea last year in the FA Cup, away, but it was behind closed doors. That was after playing Man United at home  in the Carabao Cup, which was again behind closed doors. 

“The losers in all of that were the supporters, so we’re really looking to rewarding those supporters that backed us over the last couple of years through coronavirus, and make sure we pack out Kenilworth Road with genuine supporters.”

It’s set to be a special atmosphere at Luton’s 117-year-old home, with a sell-out crowd present, plus the television cameras broadcasting live to the nation.

Defender Kal Naismith is hoping he’s handed the captain’s armband once again, in the absence of injured Sonny Bradley.

If that happens, the Scot said: “It will definitely be special. It’ll be a big moment, every time it is, leading the team out. It’s something I’m massively grateful for, gives me goosebumps and sometimes I just look about and think just how lucky I am and how far I’ve come to be leading the team out.

“Especially this one with the group of lads and the amount of leaders we have in that changing room, it’s always a proud moment. We don’t know the team yet, but if it is me leading them out it will be another proud moment as it is every week.

“Yes, the atmosphere is going to be special, it’s a game under the lights, I’m sure the fans are excited, so it should be one to look forward to.

“It’s some place to play. This is a true story, honest to god it’s a true story. When I was at Portsmouth you do the Q&As in the programme. They do ten questions with a player or whatever. One of the questions was the best away ground that you’ve played at. 

“When I was at Rangers, we played in the third division, so all of the away grounds there were poor. 

“It was just pressed into my memory was when I played for Portsmouth at Luton, so I actually said in my answer, Kenilworth Road.

“Luton and Portsmouth were rivals at the time, going for the League Two title and it was such a hostile place to go. 

“The fans were loud, everyone was on top of you. It’s an old stadium, but it’s got history to it. The fans are massively behind the team, winning or losing, so it’s a place I really enjoy playing.”

Striker Danny Hylton, who bagged the winner against Derby at the weekend, to propel Luton into the Championship play-off places, said of tonight’s showpiece: “It’s going to be a great game, a great occasion and a nice distraction from the league.

“It will be a good day for the fans because last year against Chelsea there were no fans and against Man United there were no fans. It’s an occasion that they’ve earned as well so they can go and enjoy themselves on Wednesday. 

“It’s a game we’ll go into full of confidence and we’ll give them respect but if we do it right we believe we can win on the day.”