Luton Town
2005–06 season
ChairmanBill Tomlins
ManagerMike Newell
ChampionshipTenth
FA CupThird round
Football League CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague: Steve Howard (14)
All: Steve Howard (15)
Highest home attendance10,248 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (Championship, 10 September 2005)
Lowest home attendance7,474 vs Crewe Alexandra (Championship, 22 November 2005)
Average home league attendance9,139

The 2005–06 season was the 120th season in the history of Luton Town Football Club, and the club's 85th consecutive year in the Football League. This was the club's first season in the second tier of English football since the 1995–96 season.

Mike Newell's Luton side made a strong start to the season, topping the table after the first three games and staying in the play-off places until mid-December. However, a poor second half to the season saw Luton eventually slip down the table to finish in tenth place, albeit above more-fancied sides such as Southampton and Leicester City. Striker Steve Howard was Luton's top goalscorer for the fifth season running, scoring 15 goals in total, despite playing parts of the campaign as a makeshift centre-back following injuries to most of the Luton defence. Indeed, this proved a common occurrence throughout the season, with Luton's relatively small squad forcing team members to play out of position when injuries or suspensions materialised.

Kenilworth Road was expanded at the beginning of the season to accommodate over 700 more fans and, combined with the large away followings of clubs such as Leeds United, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, this saw the highest average attendance for Luton since their relegation from the top division in the 1991–92 season.

This article covers the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.

Background

The 2004–05 season had seen Luton promoted to the second tier of English football, winning the League One title with 98 points and both the most goals scored and fewest goals conceded. Six Luton players had been named in the Team of the Year, with 20-year-old centre-back Curtis Davies being named League One Player of the Year.[1][2] Key players Sol Davis, Kevin Nicholls, Ahmet Brković and Steve Howard had all agreed contract extensions with the club in the face of transfer speculation, while squad players Lee Mansell and David Bayliss had been released.

Review

July and August

Wrexham's Trinidad and Tobago international winger Carlos Edwards joined Luton on a free transfer on 1 July.[3] The club released utility player Alan Neilson and long-term injured defender Ian Hillier the same day. On 4 July, Luton signed Rowan Vine on a three-year contract from Portsmouth for £250,000. Vine had spent the previous season on a year-long loan at Luton, playing in 49 games.[4]

The club began pre-season with a mini-tournament in Bulgaria, losing to Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia, and drawing with Cypriot Second Division club APEP. A day after returning to England, the club signed Aberdeen's Finnish international defender Markus Heikkinen and Reading forward Dean Morgan on free transfers.[5] Both Heikkinen and Morgan signed two-year contracts. Young striker Calvin Andrew joined League Two club Grimsby Town on loan for a month on 4 August.[6]

Luton began their season on 6 August with a 2–1 away win to recently relegated Crystal Palace, with Steve Howard and Ahmet Brković scoring, and captain Kevin Nicholls uncharacteristically missing a penalty.[7] After the game, Luton manager Mike Newell reacted to comments in the Crystal Palace match programme that had suggested the game would be Luton's "cup final". Newell stated that "I do not expect to read condescending comments from fellow professionals."[8] Three days later, Luton beat another side just relegated from the Premier League, winning 3–2 against Southampton at Kenilworth Road. New signing Dean Morgan scored the winning goal in stoppage time.[9] A 0–0 home draw with Leeds United was followed a week later with a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City in which Steve Howard was sent off for spitting at Carl Hoefkens. Howard received a three-game ban after Luton's appeal was rejected.[10][11][12]

The club progressed into the second round of the League Cup with a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient on 23 August.[13] Luton won their third league game on 27 August, Ahmet Brković scoring a bicycle kick and Kevin Nicholls a penalty to secure victory over Leicester City.[14]

Luton was close to signing Ghana an international midfielder Anthony Obodai from Ajax during the month, but the move fell through on 28 August due to complications with his visa.[15]

Warren Feeney scored his first Luton goal in a 2–1 home victory against Millwall on 29 August to put Luton into third position in the table.[16] Defender Curtis Davies scored the other goal in what would prove to be his last game in a Luton shirt; on 31 August, transfer deadline day, Davies moved to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £3 million – both a Luton and West Brom record in terms of money received and spent respectively.[17] Midfielder Michael Leary moved to Bristol Rovers on a one-month loan the same day.[18]

September and October

Luton drew 1–1 at home to title favourites Wolverhampton Wanderers on 10 September, Kevin Nicholls scoring a late goal, and then lost 1–0 to Queens Park Rangers three days later for their second defeat of the season.[19][20] A 1–0 win over Hull City came on 17 September, followed by a 2–2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday a week later.[21][22] Steve Howard scored all three of Luton's goals. In between these two league games, Luton lost 1–0 to Reading in the League Cup.[23] Luton ended the month with an impressive 3–0 win over the previous season's play-off finalists Preston North End to sit in third place in the table, drawing praise from Preston manager Billy Davies.[24] Midfielder Kevin Nicholls won the Championship's Player of the Month award for his performances.[25]

The club beat Cardiff City 2–1 at Ninian Park on 1 October, midfielder Peter Holmes scoring one goal and setting up another.[26] Bottom-of-the-table Crewe Alexandra beat Luton 3–1 on 15 October, but the club bounced back a few days later to defeat Norwich City 4–2 and return to their almost customary third place in the table.[27][28] Plymouth Argyle scored a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Luton a win on 22 August, and the club then lost their fourth league game a week later, going down 1–0 at Coventry City.[29][30]

Off the field, Luton loaned out youth player Thomas Ward to Dagenham & Redbridge, midfielder Stephen O'Leary to Tranmere Rovers, and Calvin Andrew for a second spell at Grimsby Town.[6][31][32]

November and December

On 1 November, chairman Bill Tomlins announced that the club had changed its plans to build a new stadium near to Junction 10 of the M1 motorway, after being told the site would not be viable if Luton Airport was to earn permission to build a new runway.[33] Instead, the owners began exploring the possibility of building a new stadium in time for the 2008–09 season near Junction 12 – almost six miles away from their existing home of Kenilworth Road. Manager Mike Newell exhibited the first signs of a strained relationship with the club's board, criticising the lack of direction from the owners and stating that "[the owners] have been in 18 months, so why has it taken them 18 months to find out they can't build a stadium at Junction 10?"[34]

The club lost three consecutive matches against Sheffield United (0–4), Burnley (2–3), and Norwich City (0–2) through early to mid-November, pushing them down the table to seventh place.[35][36][37] Luton then beat Crewe Alexandra 4–1 and Crystal Palace 2–0, their ninth and tenth wins of the season, to end November in fifth position in the table.[38][39] The club loaned out reserve goalkeeper Dino Seremet to League One club Doncaster Rovers for a month on 24 November.[40]

Luton won just one of their six league games throughout December, pushing them out of the play-off positions, which they would not return to for the rest of the season. A heavy loss to leaders Reading on 3 December was followed up with narrow defeats to Southampton and Stoke City.[41][42][43] A 1–1 draw on Boxing Day at Derby County was trailed by a 3–0 victory over strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion two days later.[44][45] The club then lost 1–0 to Ipswich Town on New Year's Eve to drop to tenth in the table.[46]

Match results

Luton Town results given first.

All results, goals, attendances etc. taken from Soccerbase[47] and verified with match reports from LutonFC.com.[48]

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Friendlies

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
17 July 2005 CSKA Sofia Away 2–3 Unknown Howard (2)
19 July 2005 APEP Neutral 1–1 Unknown Robinson
27 July 2005 OFK Belgrade Home 2–2 2,026 Howard (2)
28 July 2005 Aylesbury United Away 5–2 Unknown Leary, Morgan (2), Showunmi, own goal
30 July 2005 Stevenage Borough Away 2–1 Unknown Underwood, Brković
1 August 2005 Hitchin Town Away 2–1 1,034 Perrett, Vine
4 August 2005 Hemel Hempstead Town Away 2–1 Unknown Richardson, Sinclair (pen) Luton Town XI

Football League Championship

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
6 August 2005 Crystal Palace Away 2–1 21,166 Howard, Brković
9 August 2005 Southampton Home 3–2 9,447 Nicholls, Brković, Morgan
13 August 2005 Leeds United Home 0–0 10,102 –
20 August 2005 Stoke City Away 1–2 18,653 Morgan
27 August 2005 Leicester City Away 2–0 22,048 Brković, Nicholls (pen)
29 August 2005 Millwall Home 2–1 8,220 Feeney, Davies
10 September 2005 Wolverhampton Wanderers Home 1–1 10,248 Nicholls
13 September 2005 Queens Park Rangers Away 0–1 13,492 –
17 September 2005 Hull City Away 1–0 19,184 Howard
23 September 2005 Sheffield Wednesday Home 1–1 8,267 Howard (2)
27 September 2005 Preston North End Home 3–0 7,815 Feeney, Brković, Howard
1 October 2005 Cardiff City Away 2–1 14,657 Morgan, Holmes
15 October 2005 Crewe Alexandra Away 1–3 6,604 Morgan
18 October 2005 Norwich City Home 4–2 10,248 Feeney, Edwards, Holmes, Howard
22 October 2005 Plymouth Argyle Home 1–1 8,714 Feeney
29 October 2005 Coventry City Away 0–1 22,228 –
1 November 2005 Sheffield United Away 0–4 22,554 –
5 November 2005 Burnley Home 2–3 8,518 Howard, Feeney
19 November 2005 Norwich City Away 0–2 25,383 –
22 November 2005 Crewe Alexandra Home 4–1 7,474 Vine (2, 1 pen), Morgan, Showunmi
26 November 2005 Crystal Palace Home 2–0 10,248 Heikkinen, Vine
3 December 2005 Reading Away 0–3 19,478 –
11 December 2005 Southampton Away 0–1 19,086 –
17 December 2005 Stoke City Home 2–3 8,296 Brković, Nicholls (pen)
26 December 2005 Derby County Away 1–1 26,807 Brković
28 December 2005 Brighton & Hove Albion Home 3–0 9,429 Howard, Feeney, Robinson
31 December 2005 Ipswich Town Away 0–1 23,957 –
2 January 2006 Watford Home 1–2 10,248 Edwards
13 January 2006 Wolverhampton Wanderers Away 1–2 21,823 Howard
21 January 2006 Queens Park Rangers Home 2–0 9,797 Heikkinen, Howard
31 January 2006 Sheffield Wednesday Away 2–0 23,965 Nicholls (pen), Vine
4 February 2006 Hull City Home 2–3 8,835 Keane, Coyne
11 February 2006 Preston North End Away 1–5 15,237 own goal
14 February 2006 Cardiff City Home 3–3 7,826 Vine (2), own goal
17 February 2006 Reading Home 3–2 8,705 Vine (2), Morgan
25 February 2006 Leeds United Away 1–2 23,644 Howard
4 March 2006 Millwall Away 1–2 9,871 Coyne
11 March 2006 Leicester City Home 1–2 9,783 Howard
18 March 2006 Derby County Home 1–0 9,163 Howard
25 March 2006 Brighton & Hove Albion Away 1–1 7,139 Robinson
1 April 2006 Ipswich Town Home 1–0 9,820 Howard
9 April 2006 Watford Away 1–1 15,922 Brković
15 April 2006 Coventry City Home 1–2 8,752 own goal
17 April 2006 Plymouth Argyle Away 2–1 13,486 Vine, Andrew
22 April 2006 Sheffield United Home 1–1 10,248 Brković
30 April 2006 Burnley Away 1–1 12,743 Vine

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
Third round 7 January 2006 Liverpool Home 3–5 10,170 Howard, Robinson, Nicholls (pen)

Football League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
First round 23 August 2005 Leyton Orient Away 3–1 2,383 Coyne, Feeney, own goal
Second round 20 September 2005 Reading Away 0–1 6,941 –

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
8 Coventry City 46 16 15 15 62 65 −3 63
9 Norwich City 46 18 8 20 56 65 −9 62
10 Luton Town 46 17 10 19 66 67 −1 61
11 Cardiff City 46 16 12 18 58 59 −1 60
12 Southampton 46 13 19 14 49 50 −1 58
Updated to match(es) played on 2 December 2011. Source: RSSSF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Player statistics

Last match played on 30 April 2006. Players with a zero in every column appeared either as unused substitutes or were assigned squad numbers.[49]
No. Pos. Name League FA Cup League Cup Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1GKEngland Marlon Beresford 410101043011
2DFRepublic of Ireland[50] Kevin Foley 35 (3)0100036 (3)040
3DFEngland Sol Davis 17 (4)0002019 (4)051
4DFAustralia Chris Coyne 28 (2)2102131 (2)350
5DFEngland Russell Perrett 9 (2)0000 (1)09 (3)011
6DF/MFEngland Paul Underwood 28 (1)0100029 (1)020
7MFTrinidad and Tobago Carlos Edwards 38 (4)2102041 (4)210
8MFEngland Kevin Nicholls 31 (1)5112034 (1)661
9FWEngland Rowan Vine 21 (10)10100022 (10)1050
10FWNorthern Ireland Warren Feeney 29 (13)60 (1)02131 (14)720
11MFNorthern Ireland Steve Robinson 262110027330
14MFEngland Michael Leary 0000101010
15MFRepublic of Ireland[51] Stephen O'Leary 00000 (1)00 (1)000
16FWNigeria[52] Enoch Showunmi 15 (26)10 (1)01016 (27)120
17MFEngland Paul Hughes 0000000000
18MFCroatia Ahmet Brković 39 (3)8101041 (3)850
19FWEngland Steve Howard 40 (3)14111042 (3)1581
20DFEngland Curtis Davies 6100107120
21MFRepublic of Ireland[53] Keith Keane 5 (5)1001 (1)06 (6)110
22MFEngland Danny Stevens 0 (1)000000 (1)000
23FWEngland Dean Morgan 25 (11)6002027 (11)610
25GKSlovenia Dino Seremet 6 (1)010008 (1)010
26DFFinland[54] Markus Heikkinen 38 (1)2100039 (1)260
27MFEngland Peter Holmes 16 (7)2001 (1)017 (8)220
28MFRepublic of Ireland[55] David Bell 2 (7)000002 (7)000
29FWEngland Calvin Andrew 0 (1)100000 (1)100
33GKEngland Dean Brill 5000106000
45DFEngland Leon Barnett 12 (8)00 (1)01013 (9)040
47GKEngland Rob Beckwith 0000000000

Managerial statistics

Only competitive games from the 2005–06 season are included.
Name Nat. From To Record Honours
PLDWDLGFGAW%
Mike Newell England 23 June 2003 15 March 2007 49181021727436.7

Awards

Awarded on 23 April 2006.
Award Name No. Pos. Notes
Supporters' Player of the SeasonFinland Markus Heikkinen26DF[56]
Players' Player of the SeasonFinland Markus Heikkinen26DF[56]
Website Player of the SeasonFinland Markus Heikkinen26DF[56]
Young Player of the SeasonRepublic of Ireland Keith Keane21MF[56]
Young Members' Player of the SeasonTrinidad and Tobago Carlos Edwards7MF[56]
Special Achievement AwardScotland Steve Howard19FW[56][A]
Goal of the SeasonEngland Dean Morgan23FW[56][B]

Transfers

In

Date Player From Fee Notes
1 July 2005Trinidad and Tobago Carlos EdwardsWrexhamFree[3]
4 July 2005England Rowan VinePortsmouth£250,000[4]
22 July 2005Finland Markus HeikkinenAberdeenFree[5]
22 July 2005England Dean MorganReadingFree[5]
12 January 2006Republic of Ireland David BellRushden & Diamonds£100,000

Out

Date Player To Fee Notes
1 July 2005Wales Ian HillierReleased
1 July 2005Wales Alan NeilsonReleased
31 August 2005England Curtis DaviesWest Bromwich Albion£3,000,000[17]
31 May 2006England Rob BeckwithReleased
31 May 2006England Paul HughesReleased
31 May 2006Slovenia Dino SeremetReleased
12 June 2006Nigeria Enoch ShowunmiBristol CityFree

Loans out

Date Player To End date Notes
4 August 2005England Calvin AndrewGrimsby Town4 September 2005[6]
31 August 2005England Michael LearyBristol Rovers12 December 2005[18]
14 October 2005England Thomas WardDagenham & Redbridge14 November 2005[31]
21 October 2005Republic of Ireland Stephen O'LearyTranmere Rovers21 April 2006[32]
26 October 2005England Calvin AndrewGrimsby Town26 November 2005[6]
24 November 2005Slovenia Dino SeremetDoncaster Rovers17 December 2005[40]
1 January 2006Slovenia Dino SeremetTranmere Rovers18 March 2006
6 January 2006England Michael LearyWalsall1 May 2006
30 January 2006England Calvin AndrewBristol City6 April 2006
26 March 2006England Rob BeckwithChesterfield1 May 2006

See also

Footnotes

A. ^ The Special Achievement Award went to Steve Howard for scoring his 100th goal for Luton Town during the season.
B. ^ The goal of the season was awarded to Dean Morgan for his 25-yard curling shot in the final minute of Luton's 3–2 win against Southampton on 9 August 2005.

References

  1. ↑ "Sunderland/Wigan dominate line-up". BBC Sport. 24 April 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Luton star takes League One award". BBC Sport. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Edwards poised to sign for Luton". BBC Sport. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Hatters seal permanent Vine deal". BBC Sport. 4 July 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hatters seal triple move". Sky Sports. 22 July 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Andrew returns to Grimsby on loan". BBC Sport. 26 October 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Crystal Palace 1–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 6 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Newell questions Palace comments". BBC Sport. 7 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Luton 3–2 Southampton". BBC Sport. 9 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Luton 0–0 Leeds". BBC Sport. 13 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Stoke 2–1 Luton". BBC Sport. 20 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Luton appeal over Howard rejected". BBC Sport. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Leyton Orient 1–3 Luton". BBC Sport. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  14. ↑ "Leicester 0–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Boss backtracks on Obodai swoop". BBC Sport. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Luton 2–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  17. 1 2 "West Brom snap up defender Davies". BBC Sport. 31 August 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Rovers swoop for Luton's Leary". Bristol Rovers F.C. 31 August 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Luton 1–1 Wolverhampton". BBC Sport. 11 September 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  20. ↑ "QPR 1–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  21. ↑ "Hull 0–1 Luton". BBC Sport. 17 September 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  22. ↑ "Luton 1–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  23. ↑ "Reading 1–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  24. ↑ "Luton 3–0 Preston". BBC Sport. 27 September 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  25. ↑ "Nicholls is handed monthly award". BBC Sport. 9 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  26. ↑ "Cardiff 1–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 1 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  27. ↑ "Crewe 3–1 Luton". BBC Sport. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  28. ↑ "Luton 4–2 Norwich". BBC Sport. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  29. ↑ "Luton 1–1 Plymouth". BBC Sport. 22 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  30. ↑ "Coventry 1–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  31. 1 2 "Dag & Red make midfield signing". BBC Sport. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  32. 1 2 "Tranmere bring in Luton's O'Leary". BBC Sport. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  33. ↑ "Hatters change new stadium plan". BBC Sport. 1 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  34. ↑ "Newell angry with Hatters owners". BBC Sport. 2 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  35. ↑ "Sheff Utd 4–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 1 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  36. ↑ "Luton 2–3 Burnley". BBC Sport. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  37. ↑ "Norwich 2–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  38. ↑ "Luton 4–1 Crewe". BBC Sport. 22 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  39. ↑ "Luton 2–0 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  40. 1 2 "Doncaster borrow Luton goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  41. ↑ "Reading 3–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 3 December 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  42. ↑ "Southampton 1–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 11 December 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  43. ↑ "Luton 2–3 Stoke". BBC Sport. 17 December 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  44. ↑ "Derby 1–1 Luton". BBC Sport. 26 December 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  45. ↑ "Luton 3–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 28 December 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  46. ↑ "Ipswich 1–0 Luton". BBC Sport. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  47. ↑ "Luton 2005–2006 results". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  48. ↑ "Match results 2005–06 season". LutonFC.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  49. ↑ "Luton 2005–2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  50. ↑ Foley was born in Luton, England.
  51. ↑ O'Leary was born in Fulham, England.
  52. ↑ Showunmi was born in Kilburn, England.
  53. ↑ Keane was born in Luton, England.
  54. ↑ Heikkinen was born in Katrineholm, Sweden.
  55. ↑ Bell was born in Wellingborough, England.
  56. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "LTFC 2005–06 Awards". Luton Town Vital Football. 23 April 2006. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
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