Far from the madding crowd, a humble club living on a fairytale | Football News

Far from the hustle and bustle of the typical big city crowd, lies the quaint neighbourhood of Luton, whose football team’s fairytale journey from non-league football to the bright lights of the Premier League has become the stuff of modern-day legend. At the centre of it lies their iconic Kenilworth Road Stadium, a structure that has piqued the interests of the EPL supporters from all around the globe.
The stadium, which is situated bang in the middle of a residential area, is sandwiched between rows of houses with the staircase leading to its away end, the Oak Road Stand, literally hanging over the back gardens of some of its residential complexes.
Some residents near the stadium told Sky Sports news that while they were fans of the electric atmosphere on match-days, they sometimes have to cope with people who throw beer bottles and other rubbish into their front lawns and gardens after the game has ended.

📸 From @reuterspictures: Views of Luton Town’s Oak Stand at their Kenilworth Road stadium in Britain. Here’s why the stadium could be one of the team’s most potent weapons https://t.co/MnwPLQ6nJ6 pic.twitter.com/CcoHWhaC4p
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 25, 2023
The stadium, which has been the home to the Hatters since 1905, gives the feeling of being trapped in a time-warp with its 10,356-capacity, its rusty turnstiles and the mouldy stairs, which lead to the main ground. An upgrade was necessary now that the club was in the big leagues.
And an upgrade was what it got. Since their win against Coventry City in the playoffs in May, the iconic stadium is undergoing a facelift of sorts to make it fit for top-flight football. This has led to a rather unprecedented situation where the team’s first home game against Burnley on August 19 getting postponed because of Luton’s inability to get the stadium ready on time.
“The Premier League match between Luton Town FC and Burnley FC, scheduled to take place on August 19, will now be postponed. Luton Town FC were unable to offer the League and Burnley FC a guarantee that ongoing work to Kenilworth Road would not impact the scheduling of this match at late notice for supporters,” read a Premier League statement last month.

luton town beat Coventry city to reach the premier league, Kenilworth Road is the most unique stadium in the premier league.From non league in 2014 to prem league amazing #COVLUT #COYH #playofffinal #EFLPlayOffs pic.twitter.com/EuuEfPVCo8
— leejones (@gymdude_16) May 27, 2023
Its next home game in the Premier League is against West Ham on September 2 and if the stadium is ready then, it could turn out to be one of the most potent weapons in the newly-promoted club’s arsenal against the big boys. With a passionate and vocal fanbase and an environment trapped in time, the EPL giants have to play out of their skins to get a result here.
But the days of Luton playing in this iconic stadium may be numbered so fans would want to drink in every moment before bidding farewell to the iconic structure. A couple of months back, Luton had released images for their planned new stadium at Power Court, with a scheduled completion date of 2026. The first phase will have a seating capacity of 19,500, according to Reuters.

Nine years ago, Luton Town was in non-league football. Next season, they’ll be in the English Premier League. The Hatters win in the playoff on penalty kicks. Luton Town goalie is #USMNT player Ethan Horvath.
pic.twitter.com/FR3JYz5dRC
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) May 27, 2023
“At a time when Kenilworth Road is being heavily scrutinised as a potential Premier League facility, Luton Town Football Club is delighted to disclose that very good progress is now being made at Power Court as final designs are imagined,” the club had said in its website.
Luton’s very first Premier League game is against Brighton on Saturday at the Amex where a team currently without a home stadium will look to make a mark away from it.