Luton Town

Fans warned about derby violence
Police are taking a zero tolerance attitude to football violence over the weekend when Watford and Luton play a derby game. Police forces in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire are warning fans they face immediate arrest if there is trouble. A number of supporters have already been banned from the game under the Football (Offences) Act. Police will be among the Vicarage Road crowd to spot potential trouble makers on Sunday. Sup Iain McVie said: "We want everyone to enjoy the game but if there is trouble either in or outside the stadium it will result in immediate arrest." All supporters are being advised to use pre-arranged transport to get to the town as car parking is extremely limited. The game is a sell-out, so fans should not to turn up without a ticket. Twenty men were jailed in December 2003 after violence at two previous games between the two sides.

Luton offer fresh deals to pair
Luton Town have handed fresh deals to defender Leon Barnett and midfielder Keith Keane. Barnett, 20, who has made eight starting appearances for the Hatters this season, has signed a contract until June 2009. Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, Keane, 19, meanwhile, is set to remain at Kenilworth Road until the summer of 2008. Keane scored in Luton's 3-2 defeat at home to Hull in February.

Watford 1-1 Luton
Ahmet Brkovic's first goal of 2006, 17 minutes from time, rescued a point for Luton at Vicarage Road to virtually end Watford's hopes of automatic promotion. Marlon King had opened the scoring with his 20th of the season when he latched onto Ashley Young's pass to lob home. But Brkovic made amends for misses by Kevin Foley and Warren Feeney when he poked home Carlos Edwards' throw-in. The draw leaves the Hornets nine points adrift of second-placed Sheffield United with four games to play. It also means Luton's slim hopes of gaining a play-off spot were extinguished. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd "If we do end up in the play-offs, the other teams will look around, and none of them will want to play us. "I know this because we are a good team. We are still thinking about automatic promotion, because there are still plenty of tough fixtures coming up, and plenty of points to be won. "We faced relegation last season, so to secure a play-off place is progress. But all we are thinking about is promotion." Luton manager Mike Newell "If the club has ambition, they will want to keep me, just as I will want to keep the players. "I'm confident of keeping the squad together because most of them are still under contract, but I will have to have some backing from somewhere if we are to keep it that way. "Anyway, I'm happy to get something from the game. If we had picked up more points on our travels, we could have been where Watford are, but I was pleased with the performance." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watford: Foster, Doyley, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart (Chambers 66), Eagles (Bangura 67), Mahon, Spring, Young, Henderson, King. Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Carlisle, McNamee. Booked: Doyley, King. Goals: King 36. Luton: Beresford, Foley (Morgan 90), Davis (Barnett 17), Perrett, Heikkinen, Edwards, Robinson, Brkovic, Howard, Feeney (Vine 68), Showunmi. Subs Not Used: Brill, Holmes. Booked: Showunmi, Howard, Heikkinen. Goals: Brkovic 73. Att: 15,922 Ref: M Dean (Wirral).

Luton defender is out for season
Luton defender Chris Coyne is to have knee surgery which rule him out for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old had hoped to postpone surgery until the summer. Boss Mike Newell told the club website: "Chris will have an operation next week on his knee. He has been struggling on with both knees all season. "It is best he has the operation now, get his rehabilitation done and then hopefully we will have a new player for next season."

Luton 1-2 Coventry
Stern John and Gary McSheffrey scored either side of the half-hour mark to hand Coventry victory in an uninspiring mid-table clash at Kenilworth Road. Luton's Rowan Vine and Ahmet Brkovic tested Marton Fulop from range early on but it was the hosts that scored first. John latched onto Andrew Whing's cross to volley home, and McSheffrey then doubled that lead from close range. Ady Williams' late own goal ensured a nervy finish but Coventry held on for their first win in five outings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton boss Mike Newell said: "At the end of the day it came down to Coventry taking their chances and us not taking ours. "They played as much football as any team who have come here this season, but if you don't take your chances the other team have a chance of winning." Newell added: "If we have our first-choice side available, we'd fancy our chances against anybody." Coventry boss Micky Adams said: "We had a bit of luck early on with two great saves from Marton (Fulop) but we got the goals and dominated after that. "The disappointing thing is that we didn't score any more because at just 2-0 there is always a chance for the opposition. "We need another three big performances now to finish the season on a high." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton: Beresford, Foley, Edwards (Keane 57), Barnett, Heikkinen, Feeney, Holmes (Bell 82), Vine (Morgan 57), Brkovic, Showunmi, Howard. Subs Not Used: Stevens, Brill. Booked: Brkovic, Barnett, Keane. Goals: Williams 85 og. Coventry: Fulop, Whing, Hall, Williams, Heath, McSheffrey (Scowcroft 80), Morrell (Thornton 90), Hughes, Doyle, John (Adebola 80), Hutchison. Subs Not Used: Duffy, Wise. Goals: John 29, McSheffrey 30. Att: 8,752 Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).

Luton v Sheff Utd
Luton hope to have defensive duo Kevin Foley and Russell Perrett back after injury while Sol Davis is hoping to recover from a thigh injury to play. Markus Heikkinen misses out with suspected ankle ligament damage and Calvin Andrew has a knee injury. Sheffield United striker Steve Kabba and defender Craig Short are both doubtful after picking up knocks during the midweek derby against Leeds. Midfielder Nick Montgomery could also miss out with a knee problem.

Luton 1-1 Sheff Utd
Michael Tonge rescued a point for promoted Sheffield United with an injury-time strike to cancel out Ahmet Brkovic's 72nd-minute effort. The Hatters had done enough to win the game but were forced to rue a missed penalty in the 54th minute. Rowan Vine blasted the ball over the bar after Chris Morgan brought down Warren Feeney in the box. Brkovic then headed home David Bell's cross before Tonge equalised with a free-kick into the bottom corner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton boss Mike Newell: "That pretty much sums up our season. I think we had the better of the game and created all the chances. "We had it won and Marlon (Beresford) didn't have a save to make all day. "I know Sheffield United are promoted and might have taken their foot off the gas, but we had them beaten and it's very frustrating." Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: "I thought we deserved a point, but it's been a long, long season and I'm glad it's nearly over. "I wanted to experiment a little bit with my line-up against quality opposition, a side with great movement. "But if you ask me if I enjoyed it, I'd have to say no. The highlight for me was putting on the sunscreen at half-time because it was so hot." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luton: Beresford, Keane, Howard, Barnett, Edwards, Morgan (Nicholls 73), Holmes (Bell 62), Showunmi, Brkovic, Vine, Feeney. Subs Not Used: Stevens, Andrew, Brill. Booked: Howard. Goals: Brkovic 72. Sheff Utd: Kenny, Unsworth (Forte 45), Lucketti, Morgan, Gillespie, Armstrong, Tonge, Jagielka, Geary (Short 81), Dyer (Francis 62), Akinbiyi. Subs Not Used: Shipperley, Webber. Booked: Dyer, Lucketti. Goals: Tonge 90. Att: 10,248. Ref: R Oliver (W Midlands).

Cochrane handed trial at Luton
Crewe midfielder Justin Cochrane has joined Luton Town on trial. Cochrane has made an early favourable impression at Kenilworth Road by scoring for their reserves in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Stevenage. The 24-year-old is out-of-contract with Dario Gradi's side and can leave Gresty Road on a free transfer. Cochrane had been on loan at League One side Gillingham until earlier this month but the Gills decided not to extend his spell at Priestfield.

Burnley v Luton
Burnley have injury doubts over defender Phil Bardsley and midfielder Chris McCann, who missed the defeat at Millwall with a hamstring injury. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill is also without defender Wayne Thomas (foot) and keeper Danny Coyne (knee). Luton skipper Kevin Nicholls could make his first start since injuring knee ligaments in March. Kevin Foley has shaken off a knock, but Russ Perrett, Chris Coyne and Markus Heikkinen are all ruled out.

Burnley 1-1 Luton
Burnley's teenage striker Kyle Lafferty celebrated earning a 12-month contract extension by scoring the goal which earned the Clarets a point. Luton led on 42 minutes when skipper Kevin Nicholls found Rowan Vine, who beat Brian Jensen with a drilled shot. But Lafferty, 18, who signed his new deal on Friday, rifled home from 12 yards after Garreth O'Connor's pass with 12 minutes of the game remaining. The Clarets nearly won late on, but O'Connor's shot drifted just wide. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "I can't celebrate being 17th. I'm not happy with that and am disappointed where we have finished. "That wasn't an end-of-season game, both teams tried desperately hard to win it. I am disappointed we haven't won as we created enough chances. "It says it all that their keeper Marlon Beresford was man-of-the-match." Luton manager Mike Newell: "Our goalkeeper Marlon Beresford kept us in it in the second half. "We played some decent stuff in the first half and scored a very good goal but second half we could not keep the goal and they put us under pressure. "We got a point away from home which we have not done too often recently - so we have to be happy." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Spicer, Sinclair, Duff, Harley, James O'Connor, McCann, Branch (Garreth O'Connor 77), Mahon (Elliott 90), Gray, Lafferty (Ricketts 87). Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Hyde. Goals: Lafferty 78. Luton: Beresford, Foley, Keane, Barnett, Morgan (Stevens 75), Nicholls (Holmes 75), Brkovic (Bell 87), Feeney, Showunmi, Vine, Howard. Subs Not Used: Brill, Andrew. Booked: Brkovic, Barnett. Goals: Vine 42. Att: 12,473. Ref: R Booth (Nottinghamshire). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Play-off semi-final dates: First legs Leeds v Preston (Elland Road, Friday, 5 May, 1945 BST) Crystal Palace v Watford (Selhurst Park, Saturday, 6 May, 1215 BST) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Second legs Preston v Leeds (Deepdale, Monday, 8 May, 1945 BST) Watford v Crystal Palace (Vicarage Road, Tuesday 9 May, 1945 BST) Play-off dates for other divisions to be confirmed

Luton deny Newell link with Rams
Luton chairman Bill Tomlins has denied reports which stated that Hatters boss Mike Newell had been interviewed for the managerial vacancy at Derby. "I have spoken to Derby's new chairman (Peter Gadsby)," Tomlins said. "He confirmed that they had not spoken to our manager, and would not do so without our permission. "I had not given Mike permission to speak to another club and, as Mike is a person of integrity, I knew he would not have done so without our consent." Newell had been linked with another Championship club, Leicester, during the spring - but insisted he was happy at Kenilworth Road.

Perrett handed new Hatters deal
Defender Russ Perrett has been handed a new one-year contract by Championship outfit Luton. The 32-year-old, who joined the Hatters in 2001, made 12 appearances for Mike Newell's side last season. Goalkeeper Rob Beckwith, however, has been released by Luton having been forced down the pecking order by Marlon Beresford and Dean Brill. Beckwith spent the end of the season on loan at League One Chesterfield and made two appearances for the Spireites.

Luton finalise 'major land deal'
Luton are a step closer to fulfilling their dream of moving to a new stadium by signing a \"major land deal.\" The 30-acre site at Old Park Farm, southbound of junction 12 on the M1, is owned by former club chairman Cliff Bassett, currently a vice president. Hatters chairman Bill Tomlins told the club website: \"We have had lots of support from numerous people. \"At last the club will be in control of its future and have the capacity and facilities the town can be proud of.\" He added: \"As part of the deal negotiated with Cliff is a £25m contribution that underpins the stadium build and training facilities.\" Luton have been trying to move from Kenilworth Road - which holds a maximum of 10,000 fans, including 1,800 away supporters - for several years. In November 2005, boss Mike Newell hit out at the club's owners after previous plans to move to a site near junction 10 of the M1 were scrapped.

Boss Newell stays loyal to Luton
Luton manager Mike Newell says he is committed to seeing Luton develop as a force in the Championship despite being linked with other managerial vacancies. Newell is eager to see the younger players at Kenilworth Road fulfil their potential and is glad he has decided to stay put. The Hatters' boss told Sir Stanley \"People may say why would you speak to those clubs - I did out of courtesy.\" Newell added: \"The clubs rang the chairman and asked for permission to speak to me. \"I feel it's always right - even as a player - if you get the opportunity or a club says to you that you've got the opportunity to speak to another club that you should speak to them out of courtesy.\"

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