Hatters boss targets justice as his side close in on Football League return

Emotional Hatters boss John Still has his sights firmly set on restoring Luton’s Football League status that was ‘unfairly’ and ‘wrongfully’ taken from them, writes Mark Wood.
Cambridge United v Luton Town. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 11. PNL-141203-101859002Cambridge United v Luton Town. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 11. PNL-141203-101859002
Cambridge United v Luton Town. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 11. PNL-141203-101859002

Town took a massive stride to that end thanks to Tuesday night’s last-gasp 1-1 draw at nearest rivals Cambridge United via Mark Cullen’s last-minute volleyed equaliser.

Still said: “It’s emotional, of course it is, because it’s a really weird situation in managing football clubs.

“I’m here to serve them, they’re not here to serve me, I’m here to serve them, this is their football club, it was their football club long before I came and it will be their football club when I’m gone.

“I just want to do everything I can to give them back something they thought was taken away unfairly and I know the passion of these people.

“I’ve got to know the supporters, know how they think, know how they felt and I just want to do everything I can to give them back something they felt was taken away from them wrongfully.

“And if I can do that I will be very proud.”

A fervent Abbey was packed by 6,050 supporters, with Luton selling out their allocation as they were roared on by a travelling army of 2,286 fans.

And Still was quick to pay tribute to them, saying: “2,201, and I counted them all.

“I go back to that early part of the season where I said about team, about how everybody has to do their bit, well I can tell you now that those 2,200 and the ones that were here in spirit got us that point because they stayed behind the team non-stop.

“That last 10-15 minutes they raised the volume, never stopped going, never stopped getting behind the team and when I look in the paper tomorrow, if it gives the name of the scorer Cullen, in brackets it will go 2,200 supporters.”

Town showed real character to fight back after conceding for the first time in 564 minutes of football, easily surpassing their previous best of 509, as they extended their record unbeaten league run to 27 games.

Defender Scott Griffiths, who again shone, said: “It’s a bit disappointing that isn’t it! We can’t always get clean sheets, but we can have that never say die attitude and not have the loss on our minds.

“It was a bit odd (going behind), you’ve just got to get on with the job and not lose concentration and I think the boys all pulled through together.

“Got through the little bit of a struggle that we showed at one point and got a half decent result.

“I would have much preferred the three points, but that goes without saying, and let’s crack on to the next game.”

But he never thought it was over, as he added: “No, never. As long as the final whistle hasn’t blown there’s still a chance.

“You’ve seen we can either go from in front, or come from behind and show the spirit it takes to win games, which shows the spirit to win leagues.”