It was party time in Luton yesterday as an estimated 20,000 happy Hatters lined the streets and turned the town orange to welcome home their newly-promoted Premier League heroes.
It was a victory parade beyond any that the club has experienced in the last nine years of unparalleled success.
A 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Coventry City on Saturday at Wembley saw Town become the first-ever club to go from the non-league to the top flight, a journey which began in 2014, which has seen St George’s square packed for a celebration on three previous occasions.
But reaching the Premier League promised land saw the biggest outpouring of joy with the players’ open-top bus parade delayed due to the sheer number of people that turned out to congratulate them.
From Oak Road outside their Kenilworth Road stadium and through Bury Park to St George’s Square in the town centre where the Hatters took to a stage to speak with their supporters, it was party time and here are the pictures to prove it from Hatters photographer extraordinaire, Liam Smith.
The open top bus inches its way towards St George’s Square 
Fans eagerly await the players’ arrival 
Front of the queue – happy Hatters ready to welcome home their heroes 
Some Hatters got there early to get up the front 
Going up! Banner at the front of the fan barrier in St George’s Square 
Rylands Heath entertain the crowd at St George’s Square before the Luton bus arrives 
Music from the Luton Youth Funk Orchestra filled St George’s Square before the players arrived to celebrate being back in the big time 
The Luton Youth Funk Orchestra in full swing on stage at St George’s Square 
Elijah Adebayo holds aloft the Championship play-off trophy 
History-making Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu with his hands on the Championship play-off trophy that means he’s the only player to go from the non-league to the Premier with one club 
St George’s Square is packed with Hatters 
Flags everywhere in St George’s Square 
A sea of happy Hatters 
Hats on for the Hatters 
You’re not wrong. One banner says it all. Hatters supporters in St George’s Square hold aloft a sign that explains Luton’s nine-year journey from the non-league to the Premier League. Fairytales do come true. 
Scarves at the ready 
One young fan on the shoulders to get a glimpse of her Hatters heroes 
A young fan waves her flag proudly 
Excitement builds as the players’ open top bus approaches St George’s Square 
This young Hatters must have only known success 
A sea of faces look on awaiting their team 
Great view! One young Hatter was well poised to see his heroes at the front of the huge crowd 
Luton players look out at the thousands of people that have gathered to see them 
Luton Town Hall looks glorious as it prepares to host a reception for the Luton Town heroes 
Soon to be departing club captain Sonny Bradley gets off the bus at with the trophy in his hands 
Manager Rob Edwards arrives on stage and salutes the gathered masses 
Boss Rob Edwards lifts the trophy 
Jordan Clark, the man that opened the scoring at Wembley with the trophy that his goal (and then his spot-kick in the penalty shootout)helped to win 
Must be love. Jordan Clark plants a big one on the silverware 
The ninth Hatter in history to score at Wembley, and what a goal it was. Jordan Clark 
Hatters fan Nicky Toon lifts the trophy onstage with the Town players 
Fred Onyedinma lifts it hight 
Amari’i Bell joins the celebrations 
Has he taken that shirt off since the Wembley? More to the point, will Cody Drameh sign for Luton permanently this summer? 
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu is all smiles when being interviewed by BBC Three Counties reporter Justin Dealey 
Chairman David Wilkinson speaks with BBC Three Counties reporter Justin Dealey 
Thumbs up, chief. Luton Town supremo Gary Sweet 
Prime view as one Hatter climbs on a ledge above the entrance to Luton Central Library 
A forever Luton flag flies proudly 
Rob Edwards belts out a version of his favourite Bon Jovi song, ‘Always’ 
Marvelous Nakamba lifts the trophy 
Music filled St George’s Square before the players arrived to celebrate being back in the big time 
Luton Town players lift the trophy in front of fans packed into St George’s Square 
Just some of the estimated 20,000 people that came to see Luton players after their promotion to the Premier League
