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.
13. Best game of the season: Newcastle United 4 Luton Town 4
When you travel the length and breadth of the country in this job, all you end up wanting is a good game to watch and boy did this deliver. Luton fell behind twice in the first half, equalising twice through Gabe Osho and Ross Barkley. They then led 4-2 when Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo found the net to send the visiting fans into disbelief up there in the St James' Park gods. Unfortunately the Magpies netted two more of their own as the frantic closing stages could have gone either way, in what ended up being a genuine eight goal thriller. The glint in Rob Edwards' eye afterwards showed he knew he was onto something good, which makes the injuries that were to follow even more frustrating. Photo: Liam Smith
14. Best performance of the season: Luton Town 4 Brighton & Hove Albion 0
With the Seagulls having given Luton a bit of a lesson in Premier League quality on the opening day, the Hatters were a different animal now and exacted their revenge in thrilling and clinical fashion. Rob Edwards' charged-up side started like a train, 2-0 up inside three minutes with Elijah Adebayo and Chiedozie Ogbene taking advantage of their visitors' fragile defending. Adebayo had another by the break, going on to complete his first ever top flight hat-trick in the second half as for 90 minutes, an electric Town simply blew their opponents from the south coast away. Photo: Liam Smith
15. Best counter-attack of the season: Tahith Chong v Liverpool
One those 'I was there' moments as Luton successfully defended a corner despite shouts of handball and then set off upfield. Ross Barkley began the move, carrying the ball away from the edge of Town's own box, then picking just the right weight of pass for the onrushing Issa Kabore to his right. The on-loan City wingback took a touch and delivered the most inviting of crosses for Tahith Chong, who didn't have to break stride, sliding and beating Alisson, sending Kenilworth Road into raptures. Chong wants, Chong gets it, Chong scores! Sums it up very nicely. Just a shame Diaz's shoulder popped up to equalise in stoppage time. Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS
16. Best ground visited: Old Trafford
Yes, it has had some stick recently due to the waterfall against Arsenal, but despite never being particularly fond of Manchester United myself, there was a real sense of occasion and something that extra bit special about walking up to Old Trafford with over 70,000 other people to watch the Hatters in action. The press box was top drawer as well, loads of room, great view and thankfully right near the noisy Town fans, who sung their hearts out. Getting to go pitch-side afterwards and walk up the famous tunnel was also quite the experience too. Photo: Liam Smith