Cauley Woodrow has extended his contract and declared his love for Luton Town after an “amazing” first season that saw the Hatters win promotion to the Premier League.
The striker joined the Hatters’ academy when he was 14 years old, but left to aged 16 to join Premier League Fulham in March 2011, when Town were in the Conference.
Woodrow returned to his boyhood club last summer in a move from Barnsley that former boss Nathan Jones called a “marquee signing”.
Since then, Luton have risen up the leagues and in Woodrow’s first season back – despite injury setbacks that prevented him from playing the Championship play-off final victory against Coventry – he helped the Hatters into the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history, calling it an “unbelievable season”.
Like top scorer Carlton Morris yesterday, who also made the move from Barnsley last summer, Woodrow has now committed his long-term future to Luton ahead of pre-season beginning on Thursday.
He said: “When I signed in the summer and spoke to (chief executive) Gary Sweet and everyone at the club, promotion was the goal.
“So to achieve it in your first season was amazing, and for everyone collectively, it was an unbelievable achievement and something that everyone at the football club should be really proud of.
“A lot of fans might say that I didn’t play much as I’d have wanted to, but I had two injuries which came at bad times for me. I like to think that over the course of the season though, like everyone had their part to play, at times I had mine too.
“I was involved in over 30 games and the club has put their faith in me by offering me a new contract, which I’m absolutely delighted about.
“I know I’ve only been back here a year, but it is home for me. I live 20 minutes away, my family are close to me, I absolutely love the football club and the people in it, and I couldn’t be happier to be back playing for Luton Town.”
Woodrow’s first-ever goal for Luton was significant in the fact that it was a superbly taken last-minute winner against Norwich in what was manager Rob Edwards’ first home game in charge, setting the tone for their promotion push.
Reflecting on that goal, Woodrow told the club’s website: “For everyone at the football club, especially the fans at the Kenny, beating a big club like Norwich on Boxing Day was a big moment with it being Rob, (assistant manager’s) Trolls (Paul Trollope) and Richie’s (Kyle) first home game.
“I think the celebrations that day – everyone together – was probably a moment that pushed us on. From then on we just went from strength to strength. The lads were on fire, everything clicked into place.
“Working with the manager and the new members of staff since they came in, even though I haven’t played as much as I’d like to, I’ve absolutely loved every minute of coming in and being a part of it and I can’t wait to get going again on Thursday.”
