Nathan Jones called Luton fans ‘pure class’ after their long-awaited reunion drew applause and songs in his name as Town beat Championship leaders Norwich City 3-1.
After leaving in acrimonious circumstances to join Stoke in January 2019, the Welshman returned for a second spell in charge of the Hatters in May.
When he came back, the football season was in shutdown due to Coronavirus, with the Hatters facing relegation from the Championship, but he steered Luton to survival on the final day of last season.
Jones had done so in empty stadia for the final nine games of a delayed season and until last night when 1,000 fans were allowed back into Kenilworth Road for the first time since February.
Jones admitted to being “very emotional” before the game, due to not knowing how fans would react when they were eventually reunited.
But last night, he was given applause before the game and more of the same after a famous victory, with some sections of the supporters signing “Nathan Jones’ Barmy Army” as he left the field.
“There was an air of not knowing exactly what you’re going to get, but the fans showed that they’re class, they’re pure class,” he said.
“Hopefully, bridges have been built, I would like to move on, I would like to move the club forward and I hold my hands up to certain things.”
Asked if he was nervous about walking out in front of 1,000 supporters, Jones said: “I was excited if I’m honest, and I know the rapport I’ve got with the fans.
“I let them down, I broke that bond, but that walk down that tunnel, before I left, used to be a great walk, as when you came out, the place used to erupt.
“We realised where we were going and the fans got behind us, and I had a bond with them. I broke that bond, now I want to build that bond again and I want to build it stronger than ever.
“Because people make decisions that not everyone likes and sometimes they’re not the right ones, but I want to move forward because I’m proud of our club, I love our club and I want to make sure that we keep moving forward.”
Speaking of being serenaded off the field after victory, Jones said: “It really has been a while and I miss that, that interaction with the fans, as it’s what drives me.
“I dedicate my entire life to this club and sometimes it’s for those moments. Those moments make everything worthwhile, the sacrifices, the long hours, the sleepless nights.
“I haven’t slept too much since the weekend, I was very disappointed on the weekend (after a 4-0 defeat at Cardiff) but we bounced back wonderfully and I’m really proud of our club tonight, in everything as I think we’ve handled it very well tonight, I really do.”
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