It's been a season that not many thought they would ever get to witness, I certainly didn’t anyway, Luton Town in the Premier League.
Yes it only lasted one year, but it was still some year and apart from the lack of parking at top flight grounds, it has been quite the 12 months, with memories made that will last a lifetime for both players and supporters. It’s now time to hand out some awards for what was Luton’s 2023-24 campaign in the highest tier of English football.
9. Ironman of the season: Carlton Morris
Wingback Alfie Doughty pushed him extremely close, but with Town suffering so many injuries throughout the season, the forward was able to play through any kind of pain he might have been suffering, to feature in every single Premier League fixture of the campaign. Scored 11 times as well, no mean feat in his debut campaign at this level, showing ice cold nerves from the penalty spot every time he stepped up. Four assists too, while also assuming the captaincy role from December onwards, becoming a real figurehead for the side in Lockyer's absence. Photo: Liam Smith
10. Favourite goal of the season: Luke Berry v Nottingham Forest
If there was one person I wanted to see score in the Premier League this season other than Pelly, it was the long-serving and popular midfielder. Didn’t have that much game time in the early stages of the campaign, but was used far more in the second half and finally got his moment in the last minute against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest. Showed all his trademark predatory instincts to find some space in the area and half volley Reece Burke’s knockdown into the net to make it 1-1, ensuring Luton escaped with a point. Photo: Liam Smith
11. Unlikeliest creator of the season: Reece Burke
With the defender's main job trying to keep the ball out of the net, he quickly became a threat for Town at the other end, finishing joint top of Luton's assist chart with Carlton Morris and Ross Barkley when setting up goals against Burnley, Villa, Forest and Wolves. In some illustrious top flight company, level with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze and Kaoru Mitoma, as the look on boss Rob Edwards' face when informed of such a stat was absolutely priceless. Photo: Liam Smith
12. Best opposing player of the season: Erling Haaland
Didn't play at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League contest, but was present in Bedfordshire when the two sides met in the FA Cup and how the Hatters would have wished he wasn't. Scored five goals in under an hour as he was quite simply unplayable on the night, earning a round of applause from home fans when he was finally substituted. Could do no wrong against Town it seemed as inside a minute at the Etihad his wayward volley smacked into Daiki Hashioka's face to open the scoring in a cruel manner. Also added a late penalty to make it six goals against Luton in total. Some player. Photo: Richard Heathcote