1991–92 Luton Town F.C. season

Luton Town
1991–92 season
Chairman Peter Nelkin
Manager David Pleat
Football League First Division 20th (relegated)
FA Cup Third round
Football League Cup Second round
Full Members Cup Second round
Top goalscorer League:
Mick Harford (12)
All:
Mick Harford (12)
Highest home attendance 13,410 (vs. Manchester United, First Division, 18 April 1992)
Lowest home attendance 6,315 (vs. Birmingham City, Football League Cup, 25 September 1991)
Average home league attendance 9,728[1]
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 1991–92 season was the 106th season in the history of Luton Town Football Club. It was Luton Town's 71st consecutive season in the Football League, and their 74th overall. It was also their tenth successive season in the First Division, and their 16th overall. Luton Town were relegated on the season's final day, and thus condemned to second–tier football for the following season. This deprived them of a place in the new FA Premier League.

It was the first season of David Pleat's second spell as Luton Town manager; he had returned in the 1991 close season as successor to Jimmy Ryan, having previously been the club's manager from 1978 to 1986.

This article covers the period from 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1992.

Background

The 1985–86 season was David Pleat's final year with Luton,[2] and it was a success as Luton finished ninth.[3] Even following his departure, the team continued to play well – 1986–87 saw a best-ever finish of seventh under John Moore.[3][4] The following year Ray Harford's team won the League Cup with a 3–2 victory over Arsenal,[3] and finished ninth in the league to boot.[3] However, 1988–89 saw Luton drop to 16th,[3] and in 1989–90 the team were battling relegation by December.[5] The replacement of Harford with Jimmy Ryan in January saw Luton improve enough to escape demotion on the final day of the season,[5] a feat that Ryan's team repeated a year later.[6][7][8] Despite keeping Luton in Division One for a ninth successive season, Ryan was fired by chairman Peter Nelkin two days later due a "personality clash".[7][9] David Pleat was promptly re-appointed in his stead.[2]

Review

July–September

Right away, Pleat was forced to sell, as homesick star forward Lars Elstrup was sold back to Odense for £200,000.[10] Brian Stein was brought back as his replacement,[11] while another striker, Phil Gray, was signed from Tottenham Hotspur.[12] On the pitch, the season started badly – Luton did not score a goal for four matches, and failed to win in five. Trevor Peake arrived on 27 August,[12] while Kingsley Black, the Northern Ireland international, was sold to Nottingham Forest for £1.5 million on 2 September.[12]

The first victory of the season came two days after the sale of Black, as Luton defeated Southampton 2–1 at Kenilworth Road.[13] Wimbledon then inflicted a 3–0 reverse at Selhurst Park, before the news came that former player Mick Harford had returned from Derby County to lead the forward line. Harford scored two in his first match, to secure a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic. However, Luton then lost 1–0 at home to Queens Park Rangers before Manchester United piled on the misery with a 5–0 demolition at Old Trafford. A 1–1 draw with Notts County rounded up the month.

October–December

Two months then followed without a win, as Dave Beaumont left for Hibernian and new signing Steve Thompson left after only seven matches in a swap deal with Leicester City for Des Linton and Scott Oakes.[12] Talented full back Matt Jackson also moved on, to sign for Everton.[12] Form was no better in the cups, as Luton were knocked out of both the League Cup and the Full Members Cup in October. The acquisition of goalkeeper Steve Sutton in November raised spirits,[12] though Luton's next victory did not come until 20 December, when a Harford goal sealed a 1–0 win over Coventry.[14] The next two matches were at home, and Luton won them both – another goal from Harford secured a defeat of Arsenal on Boxing Day,[15] and Chelsea were beaten 2–0 two days later. Despite three successive wins, Luton still remained in the relegation zone on New Year's Day.

January–March

January was a fruitless month – Nottingham Forest's Des Walker scored an injury-time equaliser to deny Luton their first away win,[16] and the team crashed out of the FA Cup at Sheffield United three days later. Graham Rodger was sold to Hibernian on 8 January,[12] and Chris Kamara was acquired as a replacement.[12] Three consecutive defeats preceded a win against Norwich City on 8 February. Manchester City then beat Luton 4–0 at Maine Road, before Sheffield United visited Kenilworth Road in the League – this time around, Luton won 2–1. The next six matches saw four draws and two losses – tellingly, Luton had not won on the road all season. The board refused to pay the fee to keep Sutton, and so he signed for Derby County instead.[17] Mervyn Day was brought in as a short-term replacement, while midfielder Darron McDonough moved to Newcastle United.[17]

April–June

Imre Varadi arrived on loan,[12] and scored on his debut as Luton beat Wimbledon.[18] A week later, Luton lost 5–1 at Oldham. Victory over Nottingham Forest at Kenilworth Road gave Luton hope – they were now only three points behind Coventry City with four matches left.[19] Luton drew at home to Manchester United on the 18th, and as Coventry lost to Everton, reduced the gap to two points. Coventry lost again two days later, but as Luton slumped to defeat at Queens Park Rangers no ground was made up.[20] The task was made even more difficult as Luton's terrible goal difference meant that they would have to finish a point ahead of Coventry to stay up – to equal them would not be enough.[21] Luton beat Aston Villa on 25 April, but the news came that Luton fans were dreading – Coventry had beaten West Ham United, and the gap was still two points.[22]

In order for Luton to stay up, they would have to travel to already-relegated Notts County, win their first away match of the campaign, and hope for an Aston Villa victory over Coventry.[23] Julian James gave Luton the lead required, but two goals from County's Rob Matthews put the seal on a dismal season that had gone by without a single away win.[24] Despite losing 2–0 at Villa Park, Coventry stayed up – Luton were relegated after ten years of Division One football.[23]

Ever-present midfielder Mark Pembridge left for Derby County for a £1.25 million fee in June.[12]

Match results

Luton Town results given first.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Football League First Division

For information on this season's First Division, see The Football League 1991–92.
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
17 August 1991West Ham UnitedAway0–025,079—
21 August 1991Coventry CityAway0–59,848—
24 August 1991LiverpoolHome0–011,132—
27 August 1991ArsenalAway0–225,898—
31 August 1991ChelseaAway1–417,457Gray
4 September 1991SouthamptonHome2–18,055Gray, Harvey
7 September 1991WimbledonAway0–33,231—
14 September 1991Oldham AthleticHome2–19,005Harford (2)
17 September 1991Queens Park RangersHome0–19,185—
21 September 1991Manchester UnitedAway0–546,491—
28 September 1991Notts CountyHome1–17,629Gray
5 October 1991Aston VillaAway0–418,722—
19 October 1991Sheffield WednesdayHome2–29,401Harford, Nogan
26 October 1991Norwich CityAway0–110,514—
2 November 1991EvertonHome0–18,002—
16 November 1991Tottenham HotspurAway1–427,643Harford
23 November 1991Manchester CityHome2–210,031Harford, Dreyer
30 November 1991Sheffield UnitedAway1–121,804Telfer
7 December 1991Leeds UnitedHome0–211,550—
20 December 1991Coventry CityHome1–07,533Harford
26 December 1991ArsenalHome1–012,665Harford
28 December 1991ChelseaHome2–010,738Harvey, Dreyer (pen)
1 January 1992Nottingham ForestAway1–123,809Pembridge
11 January 1992LiverpoolAway1–235,095own goal
18 January 1992West Ham UnitedHome0–111,088—
1 February 1992Sheffield WednesdayAway2–322,291Preece, Oakes
8 February 1992Norwich CityHome2–08,554Preece, Harford
15 February 1992Manchester CityAway0–422,137—
22 February 1992Sheffield UnitedHome2–19,003Stein, Harford
25 February 1992Crystal PalaceAway1–112,109Pembridge (pen)
29 February 1992Leeds UnitedAway0–228,227—
7 March 1992Crystal PalaceHome1–18,591Oakes
11 March 1992Tottenham HotspurHome0–011,494—
14 March 1992EvertonAway1–117,388Stein
21 March 1992SouthamptonAway1–214,192Pembridge
4 April 1992WimbledonHome2–17,753Varadi, Preece
11 April 1992Oldham AthleticAway1–513,210Harford
14 April 1992Nottingham ForestHome2–18,014Harford, James
18 April 1992Manchester UnitedHome1–113,410Harford
20 April 1992Queens Park RangersAway1–210,749Mark Pembridge (pen)
25 April 1992Aston VillaHome2–011,178Stein, Pembridge
2 May 1992Notts CountyAway1–211,380James

FA Cup

For information on this season's FA Cup, see FA Cup 1991–92.
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
3rd Round4 January 1992Sheffield UnitedAway0–412,201—

Football League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
2nd Round
1st Leg		25 September 1991Birmingham CityAway2–26,315Gray, Nogan
2nd Round
2nd Leg		8 October 1991Birmingham CityAway2–313,252Gray (2)

Full Members Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
2nd Round22 October 1991Ipswich TownAway1–15,750Telfer[A]

League table

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
1 Leeds United (C) 42 22 16 4 74 37+37 82
2 Manchester United 42 21 15 6 63 33+30 78
3 Sheffield Wednesday 42 21 12 9 62 49+13 75
4 Arsenal 42 19 15 8 81 46+35 72
5 Manchester City 42 20 10 12 61 48+13 70
6 Liverpool 42 16 16 10 47 40+7 64
7 Aston Villa 42 17 9 16 48 44+4 60
8 Nottingham Forest 42 16 11 15 60 58+2 59
9 Sheffield United 42 16 9 17 65 63+2 57
10 Crystal Palace 42 14 15 13 53 61−8 57
11 Queens Park Rangers 42 12 18 12 48 47+1 54
12 Everton 42 13 14 15 52 51+1 53
13 Wimbledon 42 13 14 15 53 530 53
14 Chelsea 42 13 14 15 50 60−10 53
15 Tottenham Hotspur 42 15 7 20 58 63−5 52
16 Southampton 42 14 10 18 39 55−16 52
17 Oldham Athletic 42 14 9 19 63 67−4 51
18 Norwich City 42 11 12 19 47 63−16 45
19 Coventry City 42 11 11 20 35 44−9 44
20 Luton Town (R) 42 10 12 20 38 71−33 42 Relegation to First Division [B]
21 Notts County (R) 42 10 10 22 40 62−22 40
22 West Ham United (R) 42 9 11 22 37 59−22 38

Updated to games played on 2 May 1992.
Source: RSSSF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Player details

Last match played on 2 May 1992.
Players arranged in order of starts (in all competitions), with the greater number of substitute appearances taking precedence in case of an equal number of started matches.[25]
Pos. Name League FA Cup League Cup FM Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
MFWales Mark Pembridge 425102010465
DFEngland John Dreyer 422101000442
DFEngland Trevor Peake 380101000400
MFEngland David Preece 34 (4)310200037 (4)3
FWEngland Brian Stein 32 (7)3101 (1)00034 (8)3
DFEngland Richard Harvey 31 (1)210100033 (1)2
FWEngland Mick Harford 29120010103112
DFEngland Julian James 282100010302
DFEngland Chris Kamara 280100000290
GKEngland Alec Chamberlain 240102010280
MFScotland Paul Telfer 17 (3)110201121 (3)2
MFEngland Scott Oakes 15 (6)210000016 (6)2
GKEngland Steve Sutton 140000000140
DFScotland Graham Rodger 11 (1)000101013 (1)0
FWNorthern Ireland Phil Gray 9 (5)300230011 (5)6
MFEngland Darron McDonough 9000000090
DFEngland Matt Jackson 7 (2)00020009 (2)0
DFScotland Dave Beaumont 6 (3)00020008 (3)0
MFWales Ceri Hughes 6 (12)00000107 (12)0
FWWales Kurt Nogan 6 (8)1000 (2)1107 (10)2
MFEngland Steve Thompson 5020000070
MFEngland Imre Varadi 5 (1)10000005 (1)1
FWEngland Jamie Campbell 4 (7)00 (1)0000 (1)04 (9)0
DFScotland Darren Salton 2 (1)00010104 (1)0
MFNorthern Ireland Kingsley Black 4000000040
GKEngland Mervyn Day 4000000040
MFWales Jason Rees 3 (2)000000 (1)03 (3)0
FWEngland Sean Farrell 3 (1)00000003 (1)0
DFEngland Des Linton 2 (1)00000002 (1)0
MFEngland Martin Williams 0 (1)00000101 (1)0
FWScotland Lee Glover 1000000010
MFEngland Paul Holsgrove 1000000010
DFEngland Tim Allpress 0000001010
—own goal—1—0—0—0—1

Transfers

In

Date Player From Fee Notes
July 1991 England Brian Stein France FC Annecy [11]
13 August 1991 England Steve Thompson Bolton Wanderers £180,000 [12]
16 August 1991 Northern Ireland Phil Gray Tottenham Hotspur £275,000 [12]
27 August 1991 England Trevor Peake Coventry City £100,000 [12]
12 September 1991 England Mick Harford Derby County £325,000 [12]
13 September 1991 England Martin Williams Leicester City Free [12]
22 October 1991 England Scott Oakes Leicester City Swap [C][12]
22 October 1991 England Des Linton Leicester City Swap [C][12]
11 January 1992 England Chris Kamara Leeds United £150,000 [12]

Out

Date Player To Fee Notes
1991 Denmark Lars Elstrup Denmark Odense Boldklub £200,000 [10]
2 September 1991 Northern Ireland Kingsley Black Nottingham Forest £1,500,000 [12]
10 October 1991 Scotland Dave Beaumont Scotland Hibernian £110,000 [17]
18 October 1991 England Matt Jackson Everton £600,000 [12]
22 October 1991 England Steve Thompson Leicester City Swap [C][12]
29 October 1991 England Tim Allpress Released [12]
1 November 1991 England Paul Holsgrove Netherlands Heracles Almelo Free [12]
19 December 1991 England Sean Farrell Fulham £100,000 [12]
8 January 1992 Scotland Graham Rodger Grimsby Town £135,000 [12]
March 1992 England Darron McDonough Newcastle United £90,000 [17]
2 June 1992 Wales Mark Pembridge Derby County £1,250,000 [12]

Loans in

Date Player From End date Notes
2 September 1991 Scotland Lee Glover Nottingham Forest 6 September 1991 [12]
28 November 1991 England Steve Sutton Nottingham Forest 1 March 1992 [12]
4 March 1992 England Mervyn Day Leeds United 22 March 1992 [17]
26 March 1992 England Imre Varadi Leeds United 3 May 1992 [12]

Loans out

Date Player To End date Notes
12 September 1991 England Julian James Preston North End 10 October 1991 [12]
13 September 1991 England Sean Farrell Northampton Town 6 October 1991 [12]
13 November 1991 United States Juergen Sommer Brighton & Hove Albion 13 December 1991 [12]

See also

Footnotes

A. ^ Lost 2–1 on penalties
B. ^ Upon its formation for the 1992–93 season, the FA Premier League became the top tier of English football; the First, Second and Third Divisions then became the second, third and fourth tiers, respectively.
C. ^ Steve Thompson moved to Leicester City in exchange for Des Linton and Scott Oakes.

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ Bailey (1997). The Definitive Luton Town F.C. p. 79.
  2. 1 2 "David Pleat's managerial career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Rundle, Richard. "Football Club History Database - Luton Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  4. ↑ "John Moore's managerial career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Luton Town 1989-1990 : Results". Statto. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  6. ↑ "Ray Harford's managerial career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  7. 1 2 "Jim Ryan's managerial career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  8. ↑ "Luton Town 1990-1991 : Results". Statto. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Nelkin gets sack-happy". The Guardian. London. 21 May 2009. Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  10. 1 2 White, Clive (14 August 1991). "Pleat out to revive old hit". The Times.
  11. 1 2 Brown, Neil. "Brian Stein". Football League Player Database. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 "Luton Town Transfers 1991–92". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  13. ↑ Pike, Keith (5 September 1991). "Fate smiles upon hapless Luton". The Times.
  14. ↑ Pike, Keith (21 December 1991). "Harford's shot gains Luton precious points". The Times.
  15. ↑ White, Clive (27 December 1991). "Harford's goal may put end to Arsenal's hopes". The Times.
  16. ↑ Rose, Neil (April 1997). "The start of Luton's decline". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Wash, Roger (2008). Hatters Heroes. Roger Wash. ISBN 978-0-9560832-0-3.
  18. ↑ Robinson, Peter (6 April 1992). "Luton slacken their bonds". The Times: 28.
  19. ↑ Taylor, Louise (15 April 1992). "Hard campaign tells on Forest". The Times: 31.
  20. ↑ "Luton slide deeper into danger zone". The Times: 32. 21 April 1992.
  21. ↑ "English Division One (old) 1991-1992 : Table". Statto. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  22. ↑ Ball, Peter (27 April 1992). "Luton vindicate show of faith". The Times: 19.
  23. 1 2 Harling, Nicholas (4 May 1992). "Relegation throws Pleat's future at Luton into doubt". The Times: 18.
  24. ↑ Pike, Keith (3 May 1992). "Two goals from County deprive Luton of a late reprieve". The Sunday Times: 20.
  25. ↑ Bailey. The Definitive Luton Town F.C. p. 79.
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