As we embark on the short journey to Brentford on Saturday, it will be six years to the day of a date which is rapidly seeing its importance increase in the history of Luton Town.
November 30, 2013. The Hatters were away to Staines in the FA Trophy, not far from Brentford ironically. I remember throughout the journey down, thinking, ‘Why am I going to Staines?’ The alternative was Christmas shopping so, actually, the decision to go took all of two seconds, if that!
Looking back now, I’m pretty glad I did go too. Not because it was the only time David Viana was ever seen in the Luton Town first-team, but actually because Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu made his debut in a Town shirt that afternoon, the start of a journey that takes us to the present day.
Pelly began at centre-half, but it soon became evident that he was a midfielder. Heaven only knows what Sam Allardyce saw in him that made him think he was a defender. Thankfully, John Still didn’t fall into that trap, as Pelly and Cameron McGeehan forged a midfield pairing that catapulted the Town back into the Football League, helped by a Pelly ‘banger’ at Dartford along the way.
Here we are, six years on, and the Pelly-Ruddock story has turned into a fantastic one, and much more should be made of it than there has been.
Just a 19-year-old when he signed, and 25 now, he has been through the divisions with the Town, impressing most along the way, but written off by sections of his own supporters at the same time. However, he is still putting in high-quality performances regularly, like the ones he offered against Leeds United and Charlton Athletic over the last week.
A powerful midfielder, capable of lung-busting runs without shirking any defensive responsibilities, a man who blocks opposition shots at will and, when given the chance, unleashes thunderbolts of his own, ending up as fantastic goals.
Mpanzu has often been the heartbeat of our side, with an ocean of success that has created the debate over whether he is a Luton legend or not.
Three promotions, a League One title winner, more than 200 appearances in four different divisions with goals in each, getting better all the time and yet to reach his peak? You bet he is a legend of our club.
His entertaining character often masks a football intelligence, one which could yet take him further in the game. He has the odd mistake in him, who doesn’t? But the many good things about the former West Ham product far outweigh the bad.
What a six years it has been watching the midfield star. Hopefully the next six are equally as good, if not better.
It should be great to watch!
Well said. Pelly is a star – a true Lutonian. Let’s hope he’ll go on shining – not just this season but for years to come. We’d take another six for starters!