Luton Town Football Club has come a long way since its promotion to the Football League in 2014, having languished in non-league since 2009. Now, the Hatters are on the brink of returning to England’s top flight for the first time since 1992. This is exciting news for football enthusiasts who enjoy visiting different grounds in the Premier League.
During Luton’s non-league days, their home ground, Kenilworth Road, had a capacity of over 10,000, making it one of the larger grounds in the fifth tier. The club has been based at Kenilworth Road since 1905, and over the years, the ground has undergone several readjustments, with the last one taking place in 2005. As a result, the stadium now boasts a unique design.
The Hatters plan to move to a new home, the Power Court Stadium, which is a former power station located just one mile east of Kenilworth Road in the town’s centre. However, before that happens, Rob Edwards’ side could be promoted to the Premier League. They are currently sitting third in the Championship and will need to make £10 million worth of improvements to Kenilworth Road should they go up to prepare it, according to chief executive Gary Sweet.
For Premier League fans who do get to visit Luton’s current home, they will no doubt be eager to witness the infamous Oak Road End. This unique away end holds around 1000 fans and has been the talk of the Football League since Luton’s return in 2014. The lead-up to the away end is lined by terrace houses, but suddenly comes to an abrupt end thanks to a large blue sign over what should be the downstairs of someone’s property. Below that sign resides Luton’s away turnstiles, along with stewards who reassure visitors that they are in the right place to watch a Championship game.
After having their tickets checked, fans are greeted by a blue painted iron staircase that climbs up the back of the Oak Road End itself. As supporters go up, they can see people’s gardens, with trampolines, washing lines and other typical garden items easily spotted on either side. Stepping into the away end itself feels like going back in time. Despite the ground’s unusual layout, it is a breath of fresh air for fans who are used to going to dustbowl-esque stadiums with no character.
Erling Haaland and his teammates will certainly not be used to playing surrounded by such an old-fashioned, higgledy-piggledy layout. However, there is no doubt that Premier League fans will be eager to see this one for themselves. Luton Town is just one game away from the top flight, having beaten Sunderland in their play-off semi-final on Tuesday night. For those who never make it to Kenilworth Road before Luton’s proposed move to their new, modern, 23,000-seater stadium, they will have missed out on a unique experience.