A normally quiet Wednesday was turned into a wonderful one earlier this week when the news broke that Luton Town talisman Jordan Clark has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
My initial reaction was to be as shocked at the news as I was delighted because, at Bolton when his post-match reactions felt more emotional than usual, I thought we had seen the last of the attacking midfielder once famously dubbed “the best free transfer of all time” by former boss Nathan Jones.
Thankfully we haven’t and the fact that we have such an influential player – a fans’ favourite at that – on board again really shouldn’t be downplayed.
On the face of it, it is a signing, a really positive one at that, but more than that it is a statement of intent, on the pitch and off it.
On the pitch we have retained the services of the man who has been voted the player of the season by both supporters and his team-mates for each of the last two campaigns. He’s a player who just gets Luton Town and who fans rally behind and have formed a real bond with both because of his down to earth, friendly persona but also some memorable performances in a Luton shirt.
Perhaps more than that though, it is a sign that we mean business next season. In re-signing arguably our most important player, one who is clearly motivated to get the club back to the Championship at the very least, and a leader in the dressing room, it will hopefully convince others that we intend to build on that excellent end to last term and make the upcoming one special and lure them into joining for the ride.
It is also a sign that after 12 months of being told by the board that lessons were being learned that words are finally being replaced by actions – and long may that continue.
The first six years of Clark in a Luton shirt have delivered many memorable moments, particularly that strike at Wembley three years ago. Hopefully there are plenty more to come now his future remains in Bedfordshire.
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