Nathan Jones hailed his Championship survivors and then apologised to Luton fans for leaving for Stoke, saying the club now has to “be together” for another assault on the second tier.
The Hatters beat Blackburn 3-2 to pull off a Great Escape, having been in the bottom three since Boxing Day and effectively seven points adrift before Coronavirus struck in March.
Jones returned to the club in May after 16 months away and after tonight’s monumental achievement, he said: “Look, I went away, but I want to put this to bed now. I want to say to the fans, I apologise for leaving this football club, but I’m back.
“It’s got to be put to bed now because we’re a Championship club. We said that by 2020 we would be a Championship club. No-one would believe us, and everyone would’ve absolutely taken it with a million, million per cent, but now we’re a Championship side and we have to be together.
“I’m so proud of this group. I’ve kept every promise I made to this football club and now we move forward.”
Asked if he had any fears that he couldn’t orchestrate Town’s survival mission in nine final games of the season, the Welshman said: “I never doubted it that this club would stay up. I never doubted it from one minute. I wouldn’t have come back otherwise. I had more offers with more money with easier jobs, closer to home – and I have a wonderful home, but I’ll have to move out of that, trust me.
“Trust me, if I didn’t believe wholeheartedly that this group couldn’t stay in the Championship, I wouldn’t have come back. It’s nice to be proved right.”
Asked if this achievement was his greatest moment in football, Jones said: “Not at the minute, but it will be, I’m sure. We’ve been promoted, I’ve had good times as a player, I’m lucky enough to have had five promotions as a player and one-and-a-half (as manager) because I celebrated Luton’s promotion when they went up from League One in the Championship.
“We just have great times here.”
The victory ensured Luton swapped places with Charlton – who lost 4-0 at Champions Leeds – to finish two points above drop zone in 19th position after Wigan’s points deduction was applied, relegating them.
Jones said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Relieved, tired, drained, but absolutely delighted. What we’ve just done is a fantastic achievement.
“To come back from effectively seven points to get a three-point buffer is a phenomenal achievement.
“This group have been written off, but we knew they were Championship players when we signed them in League Two and they just proved it and I’m so proud of them.
“I’m devastated that there’s not a full house here to see it beaus if there was it would’ve been one of the great, great nights at Kenilworth Road.
“It’s unbelievable. What a feeling. I’m so proud of them, so proud of the club, I’m so proud to be manager of the football club and that sums it up for me.”
What a remarkable achievement by Nathan Jones and the players. It makes me wonder what Graeme Jones was doing during the pre covid period of the season. He would have to be the best loss we’ve had this season.