Luton Town legend Mick Harford has reflected on the club’s last EFL Trophy triumph amid one of the most turbulent seasons in the club’s history as the Hatters prepare to return to Wembley for a silverware showdown against Stockport County.
Harford, now the club’s chief scout, was the manager who led Luton to victory in the same competition in 2009, when it was known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. That victory against Scunthorpe United came during a season overshadowed by a combined 30-point penalty which ultimately condemned the club to relegation from the Football League for the first time in 89 years, shortly after winning what is now called the Vertu Trophy.
Luton have since gone from the non-league to the Premier League in a history-making rise, though they’ve slipped back to League One currently. Looking back on that dramatic campaign 17 years ago, Harford believes the Wembley success remains one of the club’s greatest achievements because of the circumstances surrounding it.
“It was a special day because obviously there’s 45,000 fans there, and you look back and they deserved that day out, in my opinion, for the way they supported the club,” he said.
“That season was really, really tough, probably one of the toughest in the club’s history, being deducted 30 points. Again, backs against the wall and they come out fighting.
“Getting to Wembley and winning the final was a major achievement, in my opinion, and that just goes to show we had a lot of character at the football club in terms of players, staff and management.”
Frenchman Claude Gnakpa netted the extra-time winner in a 3-2 thriller and he’ll be one of the class of 2009 that will be back at Wembley on Sunday, invited by the club, with Harford looking forward to a reunion with members of his squad.
“The 2009 squad will be there on Sunday, I think there’s 14 of them coming,” he said.
“They’ve all got a bit older and there’ll be lots of familiar faces as usual. I’m really looking forward to them. I’ll sit on the table with them and have some lunch and have a laugh and I’ve got the drinks.”
Harford believes the current Luton side are arriving at Wembley in the right frame of mind after an upturn in form under manager Jack Wilshere.
“I was out there watching training today and there’s a lot of noise out there,” he said. “Firstly the noise means they’re enjoying themselves. Secondly they’re working hard.
“Jack’s created a great environment here. He’s done a great job. It was a tough job to come into and I think at the moment we’re probably in the best form we’ve been in this season. We’re going into Wembley with a lot of confidence.”
The former striker, who enjoyed success at Wembley as both a player and manager, having been part of the 1988 Littlewoods Cup-winning team, says a final at the national stadium is still one every professional dreams about.
“It doesn’t matter what competition it is, to be there representing your team in a cup final must be an incredible feeling,” he said.
“In my opinion it’s a major competition. It’s a great competition to win. But on the day it’s going to be tough. It’s always hard work at Wembley, that pressure’s on and stepping out there isn’t easy.”
Talking of Wilshere impact since taking charge in October in his first managerial role, Harford said: “He’s really, really mature as a young manager,. He’s got a great relationship with his staff, with his players and with the board. He communicates very well with people.
“His coaching methods are very good and I just think at the moment he’s getting the rewards in terms of the results the last month or so.
“I think he’s got a bright future in football.”
While Sunday’s final offers the chance to create new memories at Wembley, Harford insists the club’s ambitions stretch beyond the cup as they continue to chase success in the league, having won four of their last five in League One to put themselves back in with a chance of making the play-offs.
“We obviously want to go to Wembley and win on Sunday,” he said. “But the league is priority.
“If we could sneak into the play-offs, with the form we’re on, then we’re capable of doing it. It’s a great opportunity for the players and everyone at Luton to try and break into the top six.”
And reflecting on the long journey the club has taken since those dark days in 2009, Harford says the unity between supporters and club remains Luton’s greatest strength.
“They could have just disbanded us and left us behind then, and they didn’t, they stuck with us,” he said.
“That’s the beauty of this football club. That’s what it’s all about.”
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