FEATURE: The 'new normal' of covering Luton Town

Hatters reporter Mike Simmonds with a first hand account of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Preston North End
A man's best friend: The photo cut-outs in attendance at Kenilworth Road on SaturdayA man's best friend: The photo cut-outs in attendance at Kenilworth Road on Saturday
A man's best friend: The photo cut-outs in attendance at Kenilworth Road on Saturday

Laptop, check. Dictaphone, check. Battery charger, check. Headphones, check. Pack of biscuits, check. Pre-match questionnaire completed, check. Surgical mask, check.

For the time being, this unusual pre-match preparation is now what will be the 'new normal' facing all football reporters heading to cover a game during the coronavirus pandemic.

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The news that the 2019-20 season would resume once more last month was met with a range of differing emotions, some believing the campaign should have been cancelled immediately that the country went into lockdown, others happy to get their football fix again after going over three months without.

Harry Cornick gets stuck in during the 1-1 draw with Preston North EndHarry Cornick gets stuck in during the 1-1 draw with Preston North End
Harry Cornick gets stuck in during the 1-1 draw with Preston North End

Although the idea of nine games dotted all around the country in about a month wouldn’t normally be met with huge waves of enthusiasm for those making the treks, in a time when viewing live sport and more importantly, fresh quotes, had been like gold-dust for those daily checked web hits, most journalists would tell you they relishing the prospect.

Having spent the last 12 weeks pouring over the record books led to its own challenges, but thankfully covering a side like Luton means there is plenty to reminisce about.

Littlewoods Cup wins, successful relegation fights to stay in the top flight, even putting eight past Hayes & Yeading, the list was endless, supplemented by the new craze for quizzes, with one even about Town players named George on St George's Day being well received.

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And as is Luton's way, they made lockdown even more interesting by announcing the departure of one Jones for another, Graeme leaving in late April, Nathan returning just over a month later.

So it hadn't been as tough as some might have had, but when June 20 came about as the restart date, then a collective number of lips were licked.

Looking ahead to the actual game, making sure you had your accreditation in early was paramount as on the morning of the contest with Preston North End, filling in an online health questionnaire was the first task.

This involved confirming you’d not been out of the country, which I hadn't, not many have, were in good health, had no symptoms, so thankfully all was okay, and part one completed.

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Setting off for the game, getting parked and then walking up to the ground was a rather eerie experience too as usually the stroll up is done among throngs of Luton supporters chatting about this, that and the other, checking their phones for team news, but this time, it was just me.

Attendance into the stadium wasn't guaranteed yet either, with one last hurdle still to overcome, the crucial temperature check when arriving at the ground.

Anything under 37.9 was deemed acceptable, so at 37.3, I was in, just, but I’d prefer to be a little bit cooler in the future travelling to Swansea, Leeds, Huddersfield and Hull only to get turned away at the game isn't on my to-do list.

Plastic gloves were handed out and then with the surgical mask on, although in my case, finding out much later on, the wrong way round, it was our designated time-slot to head in, all the while remaining 2m away from fellow reporters.

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Being shown to our allocated seats by the likes of Paul Benson and Andy Awford made for a slightly surreal experience, as with social distancing firmly in place, there was a spread out feel to the usually crowded surroundings.

To my left and right were photo cut-outs of supporters, 828 in total we have since been told, which was a fine idea, with fans of all ages past and present in attendance, plus babies no doubt watching their first game, while a fair few pets made it there as well.

With no actual fans though, it made for a strange experience from the very off, as 105 days since we were seeing Simon Sluga earn Town a point with a wonderful save at Wigan, this time the players ran out to virtual silence.

Soon that lull was broken though, with crowd noise being pumped through the PA system, although an early corner for Luton was met by a shrill blast of the referee's whistle, but no roar of approval from the non-existent supporters, while sadly, back headers no longer received a well deserved round of applause.

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You have to doff your hats to those on the buttons though, as when Matty Pearson sent one clearance miles away from danger, he was immediately greeted with the now familiar chant about that magic hat of his.

Club legend Mick Harford also had his praises sung, as to be fair to both sides, they started the contest well, considering how long their last competitive clash was.

Sitting away from everyone, the distances painstakingly measured out by Hatters' press officer Stuart Hammonds, that, along with keeping your mask on, made it tougher to find out exactly who had done what at times, when the action took place behind one of those legendary Kenilworth Road vision-reducing pillars.

Midway through the half, another 'new normal', with a cricket-style drinks break, which again, given this was Luton’s first ever match in the heat of June, was well received by the players.

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Goalless at the break, thanks to another brave Sluga stop, there was of course no refreshments on offer, which made those who had packed a flask of coffee (thanks dearest!), feel very smug indeed.

After the interval, Preston broke the deadlock to a few cheers from the away bench, as it got tougher and tougher for Luton, who were admittedly starting to look bereft of ideas.

One of the other rule changes saw both sides allowed to make five substitutions due to the congested schedule and although later than he might have done, Hatters boss Jones started to empty his bench.

More kudos went to the PA system operators though as the George Moncur song swiftly piped up, and low and behold, moments later, on he came.

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All five were used and two of them combined for what could prove to be a vital point, James Bree finding Callum McManaman who fired home beautifully.

Sadly gone were the usual hug the first supporter you can find celebration that greet a late leveller, this time, just a quick fist pump, point to the cut-outs and then back into place again.

Ryan Tunnicliffe almost won it, but that would have been harsh on a Preston side who had looked in control for large chunks of the game.

With reports being quickly rewritten after McManaman's late strike, there was no immediate piling down to the press room to make the final changes and wait for both managers, no sir, it was sit in your seats and await the Zoom code for the virtual press conference that would take place.

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This is where even with today's technology, things got that little bit tougher, with internet connections, muted microphones, voice delays and that unpleasant ringing noise when trying to connect when near a laptop, hindering the experience.

But both Jones and McManaman persevered, answering everything they could hear, ensuring there was just about enough copy for locals and nationals alike to fill their pages with the following week.

After that, it was leave the ground the long way round once more, finally ditch the mask, and head back home, or wherever your support bubble is these days.

It's obviously not ideal and football without supporters will never, ever be right or sustainable, but to get this season finished, and give Luton any chance of staying up, then it’s something that has to happen for now.

However, I for one, am keeping everything crossed that we are back to somewhere near the old normal by the time the 2020-21 campaign rolls around, whenever that may be.