Wrexham’s achievement in overcoming the challenges of non-league football and, in just two years, rising from the ashes to reach the Championship has been well documented. In many ways, their success has mirrored that of other clubs such as Swansea City and Luton Town.
Staunch Luton Supporter
In the enlightening and thought-provoking Bring Me Sunshine, Warren Turner unravels the story of Luton Town’s remarkable journey from the depths of non-league football to playing against the “money-laden giants” of the Premier League.
Warren has utilised his skills as a newspaper reporter and staunch Luton supporter for many years to dig deeply and pinpoint possible reasons for the team’s success. In hindsight, he inadvertently identifies issues that became obstacles to their initial success and may have contributed to their later downfall.
Supporters from many clubs, such as Chester, Southport, and York City, will empathise with the nightmare experiences of struggling to overcome the hurdles to return to Division Two of the football league. A common feature of most teams is frequent turnover among managers. In an insightful reflection, Warren raises readers’ awareness of the strengths and failings of managers such as Mick Harford, Richard Money and John Still as they sought to recruit players who could make a difference to the effort to regain football league status. He highlights issues related to the range of players who failed to meet their mark and the lack of faith individual managers have in their playing squad.
Culture of Professionalism
Nathan Jones introduced a new culture of professionalism upon his appointment, evidenced by a shift in mindsets and the recruitment of loan signings as catalysts for change. Effective player recruitment was a key factor in the club’s success. However, Nathan Jones set in motion a managerial roundabout. Despite managing promotion to Division One, Nathan moved to Stoke City to prove himself at a higher level. This proved a step too far, although Luton turned to him again, and he helped consolidate the team in the Championship. However, the lure of managing Southampton, once again, enticed the Luton Saviour back to the Premiership.
The appointment of Rob Edwards from Forest Green brought a fresh impetus of positivity and energy, resulting in promotion to the Premier League. Their triumph at Wembley against Coventry, marked by the penalty shootout, was a career-defining moment for many players and sparked a buzz in the town, leading to plans to build a new stadium and an academy.
The chapter “The Other Side of the Mountain!” is essential reading for all supporters of teams and players who have given their all in the struggles for promotion. The book explains how the dream of promotion is a double-edged sword requiring improved facilities and higher-quality players, with many long-serving stalwarts suddenly becoming surplus to requirements. Warren emphasises how difficult it is to unload players without creating bitterness.
Inevitable Relegation
Luton were a likeable team, but their performances in the Premiership did not meet the physical and skill levels required, leading to their inevitable relegation after just one season. The book highlights the club’s lack of financial resources and a recruitment policy that showed a reluctance to recognise the need to recruit new players. Readers may be aware that Luton were relegated again the following season again and now occupy a mid-table position in Division One.
This is an excellent book for supporters and players of all teams. It raises awareness of the ups and downs of success and failure in professional football. Warren has written an engrossing rags-to-riches celebratory tale that exposes the peril of taking a blinkered view, such as wearing the wrong clothes and being poorly equipped, when meeting the changing conditions at the top of the mountain.
Well worth reading.
The featured image is the Kenilworth Stand in 2006.
We hope you enjoyed reading “Luton Town’s Brief Premiership Journey”. Click here for more of John’s book reviews.
Author: John Morris for Love Wrexham Magazine
John is an FA coach. He has worked with young players at Fulham, Chelsea, QPR and Wrexham, promoting resilience, tenacity and self-discipline. He is currently a consultant addressing growth mindsets to promote sports, education, and business performance.
