Luton, Bedfordshire, A Brief History of Luton Town F.C.

1885

In a meeting at the town hall on 11th April a resolution was passed to create "Luton Town Football Club". The club was formed by the amalgamation of The Wanderers and The Excelsiors. The club colours were navy blue and pink that was used on the dress. The first home ground was originally that of Excelsiors, Dallow Road.

1890

Luton became the first team in southern England to become Professionals by paying players for their expenses.

1897

Luton Town Football Club is formed into a limited company and joins the football league for the first time. The club moved from Dallow Road to a new ground called Dunstable Road.

1900

Luton rejoins the Southern League having found life in the second division expensive and the playing manner of the other teams difficult to cope with.

1905

Luton moves its ground to Kenilworth Road.

1912

One of the worst seasons in the club's history that saw Luton relegated to the second division of the Southern League. To add further woe, after one game their fullback, Sammy Wightman, died.

1920

Luton rejoined the Football league after the first world war and played in division 3.

1921

Luton joined the new division 3 - south.

1923

A club record is set when Luton complete seven games without conceding a goal.

1928

Luton complete and unbeaten run of ten games, the first ten.

1938

Luton record, Hugh Billington scores four hat-tricks.

1955

Luton win their first promotion in the Football League.

1959

Lost 2-1 in the FA cup final to Nottingham Forest.

1960

Luton were relegated to Division 2.

1963

Luton were relegated to Division 3.

1965

Luton were relegated to Division 4.

1968

Luton win Division 4 and included in this period is an unbeaten run of nineteen games, January to April.

1970

Luton were Division 3 runners-up and gained promotion to Division 2.

1974

Luton were Division 2 runners-up and gained promotion to Division 1.

1975

Luton relegated to Division 2.

1982

Winners of Division 2 gaining promotion to the 1st Division.

1984

During the relegation battle a lucky last minute goal at Maine Road sees Manchester City relegated instead of Luton.

1985

Luton Town Centenary Year - became the second club to introduce a pitch with an artificial surface, they also lost to Everton in the FA cup semi-final.

1986

The 'Away fans ban' introduced due to rioting by some of the Milwall fans at the Kenilworth Road.

1987

Luton were disqualified from the League Cup based on the 'Away fans ban', unperturbed they reached their highest ever league position.

1988

Building on the previous season's success this was a big year in the history of Luton Town F.C. The team was allowed back into the League Cup and beat Arsenal 3-2 in the final, they lost 1-4 in the Simod Cup final against Reading and lost 1-2 in the semi final of the FA Cup against Wimbledon.

1991

The 'Away fans ban' was withdrawn and the artificial surface was removed.

1992

Luton were relegated to the new Division 1 after the Premier League was introduced.

1993

Luton equals the record of 1923 by not conceding a goal for 7 complete games, Alec Chamberlain was the goalkeeper in all the games.

Division 1

1987 (7th)

Division 2

1982 (WINNER), 1955, 1974 (2nd)

Division 3

1937 (Division 3 South - WINNER)

Division 4

1968 (WINNER)

FA Cup

1959 (2nd), 1985, 1988, 1994 (Semi finalists)

League Cup

1988 (WINNER), 1989 (2nd)

Full members Cup

1988 (2nd)

Biggest cup win

9-0 against Clapton Road, 1927.

Biggest league defeat

0-9 against Small Heath (now Birmingham), Div 2, 1898.

Biggest league win

12-0 against Bristol Rovers, Division 3 South, 13 April 1936.

Most games in a row without a loss

19, 1968-69.

Most games in a row without a loss at home

39, 1925-27.

Most games in a row without a win home

10, 1964 & 1972-73.

Most goals in a game

10, Joe Payne, against Bristol Rovers, Division 3 South, 
13 April 1936 (Still a record in English football).

Most goals in league and cup combined

265, Gordon Turner, 1949-64.

Most international appearances

58, Mal Donaghy, North-Ireland.

Most league and cup games

550, Bob Morton, 1948-64.

Most league games

495, Bob Morton, 1948-64.

Most league goals in a season

55, Joe Payne, Division 3 South, 1936-37.

Most league goals totally

243, Gordon Turner, 1949-64.

Most league losses in a row

8, 1899-1900.

Most league wins in a row

9, 1977.

Oldest player

39, Dally Duncan, 1947. 
39, Trevor Peake, 1996.

Record attendance

30,069 against Blackpool, FA Cup 6th round replay, 4/3/1959

Youngest player

16, Mike O£Hara, 1960.