Luton complete fairytale rise from fifth tier to top flight

Luton Town’s promotion bid hit a speed bump when Southampton prised away their manager Nathan Jones earlier this season, but they have now returned the favour by taking the south-coast club’s place in the Premier League.

Jones had led Luton to automatic promotion from League Two and even a Championship playoff semifinal in two spells but left in November.

Enter Rob Edwards, the latest victim of Watford’s managerial revolving door policy, and Luton had no qualms in handing the man who coached their rivals a 3½-year contract.

“Let’s be honest ... if we avoided everyone with a connection to our adversaries our choice would be somewhat more limited,” club CEO Gary Sweet said at the time.

The rest is history as Luton finished third in the Championship and qualified for the playoffs on the back of a 14match unbeaten run.

They saw off Sunderland in the semifinals after losing the first leg before beating Coventry City on penalties in the final at Wembley to return to the top flight after 31 years.

“We thought we were in trouble because when we were taking some [penalties] in practice we were rubbish,” Carlton Morris, Luton’s top scorer this season, said.

“It’s nice for all the boys to step up today. We scored six out of six penalties in a highpressure situation.”

Survival in the top flight would lead to a financial windfall, but Edwards is keeping his feet on the ground.

“We’re not going to go mental. We have to play to our strengths,” Edwards said.

“It’s going to be the biggest challenge ever. It’s the best league with the best managers, the best players.

“The fans have seen some dark, dark times. It’s great that we can give them a smile.”

The 10,300-seater Kenilworth Road will be the smallest stadium in the top flight, but the club will spend £10m (R242m) on improvements before the new season.