MACKEM MICK PLANS TO HALT CATS
HARFORD HANDED LUTON REINS ON CARETAKER BASIS
Former Sunderland striker Mick Harford will take charge of Luton Town for the League One clash on Saturday.
Harford, born in Sunderland, played for the Black Cats in the 1992-93 season.
He is a Luton Town legend, and has been Chief Recruitment Officer at the club for the last three years as they rose up to the upper reaches of League One.
The Hatters were rocked this week by the departure of inspirational manager Nathan Jones, who has joined Stoke City.
The Hatters have also confirmed that first-team coach Joaquin Gomez and head of sports science Jared Roberts-Smith have left Kenilworth Road to join Jones at Stoke.
Assistant manager Steve Rutter and goalkeeping coach Kevin Dearden are staying with Luton and will prepare the team for tomorrow’s game alongside Harford.
“We are delighted to announce that Luton Town legend Mick Harford – and self-confessed Mackem – will lead the team into Saturday’s huge Sky Bet League One clash at his boyhood club Sunderland as interim manager,” the club said in a statement.
“Our 59-year-old former player, coach and manager, who has fulfilled a vital job for the last three years in helping build the Hatters’ squad in his current role as chief recruitment officer, will prepare the players for the second v third game, with Steve Rutter continuing in his role as assistant manager.
“Mick, who mastermindedoneoftheclub’sfinestmoments in his previous role as manager when winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley in 2009, will have the backing of 3,000 Hatters behind him for what is sure to be a proud moment as he takes the team he loves to his hometown club.
“Mick played for Sunderland in the 1992-93 season, but they were still at Roker Park then so Saturday will be his first game at the Stadium of Light as player or manager - and what an occasion it promises to be with so many Town fans showing their usual phenomenal support!”
Harford had a spell as Luton manager in 2008/09. He won the Football League Trophy but was unable to overcome a 30-point deficit imposed at the start of the season as Luton were relegated to the conference.
He has also managed Nottingham Forest, Rotherham and QPR as well as having a stint as MK Dons’assistant manager.
Harford played 11 games for Sunderland during the 92/93 season, scoring two goals.
Sunderland will climb into second if they win the game.