For Nathan Jones, the magic of the FA Cup will be tinged with sadness for the Luton fans that will be shut out of on another big day, when Town take on Chelsea in the fourth round at lunchtime.
The coronavirus pandemic has already seen supporters miss out on last term’s final day Championship Great Escape, a first clash with bitter local rivals Watford for 13 years, the visit of Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and now a first meeting with Chelsea since defeat in the 1994 FA Cup semi-final.
“The biggest disappointment is that there’s no fans there,” said boss Nathan Jones ahead of the televised midday kick-off.
“This year is probably the four biggest games you can have as a Luton fan – Watford twice (in the Championship), Man United at home and Chelsea away. It’s really, really sad that we haven’t been able to have fans in for these games.”
Though Town famously became the first non-league side in the FA Cup to knock out a Premier League outfit (Norwich) in 2014, today’s cup clash is the Luton’s biggest since a double-header with Liverpool, where cash for the replay ultimately helped save the club from extinction.
That was amidst the turmoil of administration, but Town are in finer fettle these days, having risen back through the leagues to the Championship. Jones is plotting a course to becoming an established side in the division, but has always expressed his desire for Luton to one day return to the top flight, in which they last featured in 1992.
“Our fans have waited a long time for games like this,” said Jones. “Back in the days of (Mick) Harford, (David) Preece and the Stein brothers, these were regular occurrences.
“They’re not here at the minute because we’re not there (in the Premier League), but the club has worked its way to being one level off the Premier League, where these games would be regular occurrences.
“It’s really disappointing for the fans because it would’ve been a great few games for them.”
Asked whether an empty Stamford Bridge could be a great leveller for Luton, midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu said: “Yes and no. There would be a lot of Chelsea fans but we know Luton fans very well. They travel in their number away, and their record speaks for itself.
“In a way, it is a level playing field, but if we had fans it would be a great atmosphere. That creates a good game, but right now we can’t do that so it’s a shame.
“I hope the pandemic’s over sooner rather than later and the fans can come in.”
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