Luton Town

Watford man Spring rejoins Luton
Luton have re-signed Matthew Spring from Watford for an initial fee of £200,000 that could rise to £300,000. The 27-year-old left Luton for Leeds in 2004 and joined Watford the following year but has struggled to establish himself in the first team this season. Spring has has signed a two-and-a-half year deal and Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd said: "I think Matthew was brilliant for us. "I'd like thank him for the part he played in helping secure promotion." This season the Harlow-born player has been limited to just two Premiership starts and four substitute appearances, as well as turning out three times in cup competitions.

Luton Town have sacked Mike Newell after a run of five consecutive defeats. Newell has been dismissed after The Hatters slipped into the relegation zone after just one win in 14 Championship games. He had been at the Kenilworth Road helm for almost four years after a brief spell in charge of Hartlepool United. But his dismissal comes on the back of heavy criticism of the Luton board, with Newell questioning where money from the sale of key players had gone. Speaking after Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Hull City, the ex-Hatters striker demanded answers with regards to the sale of the likes of Carlos Edwards and Rowan Vine. "Where's the £9million gone?" said Newell. "Give that to me and I'll get five experienced players in, I'll pay them fortunes and we'll get ourselves out of it. "It takes three or four years to build a reputation as a decent manager and three months to lose that reputation. But if you take the four best players out of any team it will hurt them. "Give me the money and I'll replace them - but I can't. "The reason we're in this position is because we've sold our best players. Someone should investigate what's going on at this club."

Luton unveil Blackwell as manager
Luton Town have appointed Kevin Blackwell as their new manager. Blackwell, 48, has signed a four-year contract with the Kenilworth Road club who are currently second from bottom of the Championship. Luton are four points from safety and only Blackwell's former club Leeds, who sacked him in September 2006, are below them with seven games left. "I'm not daunted by the size of the challenge," said Blackwell, who succeeds Mike Newell as Luton boss. He added: "I can only do my best and give it a go." Luton have lost their last six games with caretaker manager Brian Stein having been in charge for their last outing after the departure of the controversial Newell. Blackwell was born in Luton and met the Hatters players at training on Tuesday. "I've come here for the long term," he said. "There's a vision at this football club that excites me and it's something I'm looking forward to. "There are things happening at Luton that could turn the club into a major player again and I want to be a part of that." "The lads were good and there's no lack of spirit." Blackwell led Leeds to the play-offs last season but was sacked by the Elland Road club after just eight games of the present campaign. The former Sheffield United coach will take charge of his first game on Saturday when Luton face fellow strugglers Burnley.

Luton directors are quizzed by FA
Investigators from the FA have questioned more directors from Luton Town FC over the club's finances. Officials from the FA's compliance team spent several hours at Kenilworth Road on Monday afternoon talking to directors and employees. Former chairman Bill Tomlins has already admitted breaking the rules regarding payment to agents. Investigators are now looking at the possibility that the club may be in breach of two serious rules. The FA will not make any statement until the compliance team has finalised its report in relation to a total of eight transfers. Mr Tomlins, whose ex-manager Mike Newell made claims about corruption in the game's transfer market, stood down in the wake of the FA inquiry.

Quartet released by Luton boss
Luton have released midfielder Peter Holmes and three other fringe members of the squad. Holmes was has been at the club since February 2000 and was the longest serving player at Kenilworth Road. He made 127 appearances for Luton and scored 12 goals but has struggled to get in the first-team this season. Midfielders Michael Leary, who spent the second half of the campaign with Brentford, Danny Stevens and defender Shaun Ross have also been released.

Midfielder Hutchison joins Luton
Luton have signed midfielder Don Hutchison on a one-year contract. The ex-Scotland international, 36, was released after an 18-month spell with the Coventry at the end of last season. Hutchison only played in 14 games for Coventry last term, starting three times, as he was restricted by a troublesome ankle injury. He won 25 Scotland caps, scoring six goals and enjoyed spells with West Ham Liverpool, West Ham, Sheffield United and Everton among others.

Wolves sign Luton defender Foley
Wolves have signed Luton defender Kevin Foley undisclosed fee. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 player has joined the Molineux side on a three-year deal and is set to make his debut against Braford on Wednesday. Foley, 22, progressed through Luton's youth policy and has made more than 150 appearances since his debut in 2002. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: "Kevin is a young, bright, attacking full-back who will give us added competition for places. He is hungry to do well."

Blackwell delighted after victory
Kevin Blackwell believes his Luton side made amends for last season's 5-0 home defeat against Sunderland with their 3-0 Carling Cup win at Kenilworth Road. "Sunderland won the Championship here and it was like somebody winning the lottery and coming into your house to celebrate," said Luton boss Blackwell. "Our youngsters were taught a lesson then but I'm delighted that those who played again learnt that lesson. "People would have wondered who were the Premier League side," he added.

Davis agrees two-month Posh move
Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson has added to his options in defence with the signing of Luton Town left-back Sol Davis on a two-month loan deal. Davis, 28, has not featured in Luton's first team this season and has had only one start in the reserves. "I was keen to get some games under my belt because I am not getting any at Luton," Davis told the Posh web site. "Peterborough are a good side and play the right way and I can't wait to get started," he added.

good game for luton last night wth a 4- 1 win over northampton i know luton had a couple of penalties but it all counts in the end. moving up the league table makes all luton fans very happy

Luton and agents hit with charges
The Football Association has issued more than 50 charges in connection with alleged breaches of rules at Luton Town, after an extensive investigation. The charges relate to player transfers and contract renegotiations between July 2004 and February 2007. The club, former chairman Bill Tomlins, ex-finance director Derek Peter and current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot have been charged. Six licensed players' agents have also been charged. The investigation, which began in March this year, found that payments made to the six agents, totalling around £160,000, by the club's holding company Jayten (also known as J10) Stadium Limited were not disclosed to the FA on the required forms. The six agents have been charged with knowingly accepting payments from Jayten for their services to the club in securing the services of players. In addition, it has been alleged that services for the benefit of a Luton player, totalling approximately £7,000, were paid for drectly by Jayten but were not disclosed on the player's contract. The full charges are as follows: Luton Town have 17 charges, relating to payments to agents for nine specific player negotiations which were allegedly made through Jayten, rather than through the club as required by FA rules. The Hatters have also been charged with provision of misleading information to the FA, not holding representation contracts with the relevant agents for the above negotiations, and dealing with two unlicensed agents (both through Jayten and directly). Former chairman Bill Tomlins has been handed 15 charges. It is alleged that he was directly involved in 19 of the rule breaches listed above (except negotiations with two unlicensed agents which were not conducted through Jayten). Former finance director Derek Peter is alleged to have approved payments made by Jayten in relation to the nine player negotiations. Current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot are charged with failing to report the alleged rule breaches to the FA when they became aware of them. Licensed players' agents Sky Andrew, Mike Berry, Mark Curtis, Stephen Denos, David Manasseh and Andrew Mills are each charged with failing to ensure that payments to them were made and disclosed through the proper channels, and failing to enter into representation contracts with the club for specific services rendered in relation to to above negotiations. All parties have until 30 November to respond to the charges.

Luton suffer 10-point deduction
League One side Luton Town have been deducted 10 points after being placed into administration. The penalty leaves them at the foot of the table on nine points and seven points from safety. The directors of the club decided to appoint administrators as a result of the Hatters' decreasing income. "This will give the club breathing space and an opportunity to restructure its finances," said Brendan Guilfoyle of administrators The P&A Partnership. Luton are looking for prospective buyers to put proposals to the creditors before end December 2007. In order for the club to continue trading in the short term, chairman David Pinkney has agreed to fund trading losses until the conclusion of a sales process. "This is a sad day for me personally, I have only ever had the long-term future of Luton Town Football Club at heart," said Pinkney. "Changing circumstances and the potential huge liabilities surrounding the club have presented me with no alternative but to place the club into the hands of the administrator. "As a further commitment to the supporters and the future of the club, I have however, decided to fund the overheads of the club throughout the sale process without any guarantee of recovering these moneys. "I sincerely hope a potential purchaser can be found to take on Luton Town Football Club and secure its future." The Hatters have suffered a nightmare week having been hit with 17 Football Association charges, relating to payments to agents for nine specific player negotiations which were believed not to have been done through the club as required by FA rules. Board members John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot stepped down after they were also charged by the FA. They were both charged with allegedly failing to report breaches of regulations regarding payments to agents when they became aware of them.

Luton Town players 'left unpaid'
League One crisis club Luton Town are unable to pay their players, SSB can report. The Hatters went into administration last week citing decreasing revenue and mounting liabilities. That triggered a 10-point deduction under Football League rules, leaving the club one spot off bottom place. Luton have also been charged by the FA over undisclosed payments to agents. Four former board members and six agents face charges.

Blackwell relief after Luton win
Boss Kevin Blackwell was delighted after Luton's 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The Hatters have been unable to pay their players since being placed into administration earlier in the month. Blackwell said: "I think that's the first chink of light and good news we've had at the club for a long time. "It's been all doom and gloom but now we've put a big feast on the table in terms of Liverpool and hopefully people will be fed at the football club."

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