Striker dedicates win to Brabin’s father

SOMBRE striker Danny Crow dedicated Town’s 1-0 win over Stockport County on Tuesday evening to boss Gary Brabin’s father who passed away the night before, writes Mark Wood.

Most of Luton’s players were in the dark about the situation prior to the game, but Crow was pleased to have given Brabin a boost thanks to Aaron O’Connor’s penalty winner.

He said: “It’s not very nice and you could tell the gaffer was down.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of it, but I know it’s been for a while and the gaffer’s always come in with a smile on his face and it’s nice for the lads to get a win for him.

“Losing your father, I can’t imagine how horrible it is, so for him to come here and for us to win, although we didn’t perform very well, the three points were for his dad and our condolences to his family.

“No-one knew and then Cardy (Paul Carden) came and whispered it in a few of the lads’ ears during the warm up.

“The lads said if you get a goal go to the gaffer, but I don’t think Azza was there when that was said.

“Everyone knows what the gaffer’s like, he’s bubbly to have around the place. He still came here and that’s credit to him. I think the Luton fans have started showing him a lot of respect and I think he deserves it.”

Assistant manager Alan Neilson took the post-match press conference and passed on the club’s best wishes.

He said: “The last 24 hours has been really hard for Gary Brabin.

“All our condolences go to the gaffer and his family at this very sad time.

“We are all pleased that the lads got three points to give him a bit of a lift at this very sad time.”

Managing director Gary Sweet admitted he advised Brabin to miss the game after hearing the news as he paid his own tribute.

Sweet said: “I urged Gary to stay at home but he wouldn’t hear any of it – he was adamant that he wanted to be here.

“I’m so pleased that the lads ground out the three points for him – hopefully that will give him little lift.

“Gary has conducted himself magnificently and it’s a credit to him that he wished to be in the dugout given the circumstances.

“On behalf of the board of directors and staff, I would like to send our deepest condolences to Gary and his family at this time.”

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