Luton CEO will carry on lobbying government to get fans back to Kenilworth Road

Luton chief executive Gary Sweet has confirmed that the club will continue to lobby both the EFL and government in a bid to start letting fans back into grounds once more.

The Hatters have been forced to play their games behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic since the campaign restarted back in July.

It had been hoped that Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers would have been attended by a limited amount of supporters, after a number of successful test events last month, but these plans were recently put on pause by Prime Minister Boris Johnson with cases rising again.

However, after the PM urged people to help out their local cinemas this week, with Cineworld forced to close its UK and US venues, a number of clubs have voiced their disappointment that the backing for EFL clubs hasn't been so apparent using the hashtag #LetFansIn on their official social media pages.

Writing in his programme notes at the weekend, Sweet admitted the struggle to stay afloat as a club remains a real one for Luton, and will keep pushing for a change in the decision over supporters being allowed back.

He said: “Firstly, on behalf of the board and our entire staff, I have to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your continued faith, understanding and patience in supporting us with your season ticket money.

"You will be aware that the recent deferral of supporters returning has caused some panic within the game.

"Football clubs, up and down the pyramid, are struggling to survive and a rescue package, from whichever authority, is being chased as we speak.

"For us at Luton Town, unsurprisingly, we are finding life difficult too, but our past and present prudence of applying our own salary cap, living within our means and not taking on debt is helping us be more stable than most at this time.

"That isn't to say we don’t need the help.

"Indeed, you have been, and continue to be, our rescue package by enabling your annual subscriptions to keep our heads above water.

"We have, of course, been successful in reducing our cost base as much as we can whilst still retaining a competitive edge in the league.

"Our priority at this time is to continue to lobby our League and central government to allow us to bring you back to Kenilworth Road, and to do so safely.

"It has been said many times that the game doesn't work without supporters, and while we have to find a way to live temporarily without you, we simply must find a way to bring supporters back into stadia if football - and perhaps society - is to survive.

"Rest assured that we are doing everything in our might to achieve this for you and us and we won't give up.

"Meanwhile, we thank you again for your generous and unwavering faith in us."