Thousands of Hatters fans lined the streets of Luton today to welcome home their Wembley heroes after a play-off final victory saw them promoted to the Premier League on Saturday.
Town won 6-5 on penalties against Coventry to complete a never-done-before rise from the non-league to the Premier League in nine years and celebrations have been ongoing in the town since.
Today was the first chance for many who were not part of the 36,000 fans at the national stadium, and many who were, to celebrate with their heroes in an open-top bus parade through town.
However, the short journey was delayed in getting to the final destination of St George’s Square after issues getting down Oak Road and then thousands of happy Hatters cramming the streets of Bury Park and then the town centre where a stage was waiting for the players to face the throngs of joyous supporters.
The town is no stranger to such parades after three previous promotion parties in the last decade, but this one, after they booked their place back in the big time – as the banner at the back of the stage said – was the biggest of the lot.
The bus carrying the players from their Kenilworth Road stadium into town travelled so slowly Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was able to receive his favourite KFC takeaway. But once it arrived the Hatters were treated to a huge roar ahead of the players and prominent staff talking to fans, though there were four pauses in proceedings due to people in the crowd needing medical attention on a warm day.
Once onstage, Mpanzu, who has become the only player ever to go from the non-league to the Premier League with one club, was asked who would play him in the movie about Luton, after club legend Mick Harford claimed before the game should be made if they won.
“Someone young,” he said, sporting shades to hide the party that has griped the club and the town since Saturday evening. Mpanzu was even one of three players that nearly missed the bus entirely.
He added: “We’ve finally made it to the Premier League. To all the fans that have come out, enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, enjoy Wednesday, enjoy Thursday, enjoy Friday, enjoy Saturday, enjoy the whole summer because there’s going to be party in Luton, boy.”
The crowd also chanted for Tom Lockyer who is still in hospital after collapsing on the pitch early in the final, though the the club had earlier posted a photo of the popular defender looking well and watching the parade on television.
Rob Edwards, the manager that guided Luton to the promised land said to the gathered masses: “It’s for you, it’s for the Luton people, it’s for the town, it’s for the players, who deserve it, the backroom staff who have worked so hard, the board, we’ve got to enjoy this moment.”
Asked who he was looking forward to playing in the Premier League, the 40-year-old said: “Anyone and everyone, let’s bring them all on. Let’s make The Kenny really special, really loud.
“We’ve got 19 (home) Premier League fixtures, let’s make the most of them. It’s going to be great.”
The boss was then held to a promise that he made BBC Three Counties reporter Justin Dealey at a meet the manager night for fans earlier the season, where he promised he’d sing his favourite Bon Jovi song, ‘Always’, if he helped Town to promotion.
Given the microphone, the manager said: “I feel so alone, I feel so uncomfortable,” before giving it his best impression.
Promotion to the top flight will put Luton in rock star territory with the financial boost thought to worth somewhere around £150million.
Chief executive Gary Sweet said: “The impact of being in the Premier League will be massive for this town.
“This could be a life-changing opportunity for us, but from a character point of view, don’t change. Let’s still be us, still grounded. Let’s keep humble.”
One such man that has been a exemplar of professionalism has been Marvelous Nakamba, who joined the club on loan from Aston Villa in January.
The play-off final, in which he netted during the penalty shootout, could be his last game but asked if he’ll stay with the Hatters now that the club has reached the top-flight, the Zimbabwe international said: “Hopefully,” he replies.
“To be part of this, the club, the history, I feel so happy.”
The midfielder has been hugely popular in his short spell at Kenilworth Road and he terrace chant to the tune of ‘Tequila’ by The Champs was belted out by the crowd, who added for good measure, in song, “We want you to stay, Marvelous Nakamba.”
Top scorer Carlton Morris didn’t net at Wembley in normal play but was another of the six Town players that all scored in their penalty shootout.
“It’s breathtaking,” Morris said of the reception the Hatters got.
“I’ve got the same feeling now as I did standing to take that penalty.
“It’s incredible the turnout today – I know these people work so hard to come out and see us on a Saturday.
“For us to give back thanks today and see them line the streets today is incredible.”
And while much of the talk has been of Luton’s history-making rise, chairman David Wilkinson said of the fan-led owners:
“We’re Luton people, that’s what we care about and this is another part of the journey.”
Next stop the Premier League.
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