On the 21st April 2017, Luton Town were promoted to League One after 10 years away from the English third tier.
A 1-1 draw against Carlisle with two games left to play was all it took for Nathan Jones’s side to gain promotion to League One after years of trying and coming close to returning to the third tier of English football.
In a season where the Hatters only lost eight games, it was an incredible achievement for the London-based club to return to League One, who the season before fell short of a League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium after losing 6-5 on aggregate to Blackpool, who ended up being promoted to League One in the winner-takes-all match in the English capital.
Luton obliterated the competition in League Two, though, becoming the first team ever to score seven or more goals in three matches before Christmas and only being outscored by Manchester City in England that season.
Here’s how Luton Town fans reacted on Twitter following promotion to League One…
The long wait is over congratulations everyone at Luton Town FC
— John N Costin (@johncostin) 21 April 2018
We deserve it – been a long way back from our ridiculous 30 point fine! Come on Borough Council let us progress!
— Ian Styles (@ian_styles) 21 April 2018
Just incredible!!! I’m a big Luton fan from the USA!! Go Hatters! #COYH
— Blake Levy (@BlakeLevy6) 21 April 2018
I love this club #COYH
— James Richardson (@jrichardson1806) 21 April 2018
@diannejolly1 The Town are going up!!!
— Ultra Cyber Lounge (@CyberGenerate) 21 April 2018
Well done The Hatters. Long overdue
— Linda (@Linda437Linda) 21 April 2018
Well done The Hatters. Long overdue
— Linda (@Linda437Linda) 21 April 2018
Fantastic , well done everyone !!!!!
— Andy Ball (@AndyJBall) 21 April 2018
In their first season back in League One, not many would have expected what Luton were about to achieve.
Luton took to the third division like a duck to water, dominating the league in the early stages of the season and finding themselves in second place come the New Year and looking on course to be one of the favourites for promotion to the Championship, but then Jones left the club.
The manager who had been behind the Hatters incredible turnaround in fortunes was courted by Championship side Stoke City, and Jones took up the offer with the Potters, leaving Luton in the lurch for the remainder of the season.
Former caretaker manager Mick Harford was brought in, and yet again refusing to read the script, Luton’s former player took the team to the next level, guiding the side to an incredible 28-game unbeaten run and solidifying the team’s status as promotion favourites for the Championship.
Luton fans, can the Hatters achieve back-to-back promotions?
