Sweet praise for Broughton after move to Carrow Road

HATTERS managing director Gary Sweet has paid tribute to former youth development officer Gregg Broughton who has left to join Premier League side Norwich City.

Broughton, who had spent six years at Kenilworth Road, will now head up the recruitment for 16-21-year-olds at Carrow Road.

His departure sees three new faces forming the new Hatters’ youth department, with ex-Town player Wayne Turner becoming head of football.

He will be assisted by Matt Stannard who has joined from Wycombe Wanderers as youth operations manager, and Lee Cowley who has become youth coaching manager.

Sweet said: “As a board, 2020 put youth development as one of the cornerstones of our vision for the Football Club and this hasn’t wavered, despite the enormous challenges we have faced behind the scenes.

“Despite the Football League cutting our funding from £180,000 to £90,000 after relegation, and then cutting it to zero after losing two successive play-off finals, our investors have continued to back this key area.

“Their investment has almost reached £750,000 in this area alone since taking over four years ago.

“The importance that youth football plays at our football club is hugely significant, and we owe massive gratitude to our shareholders for enabling our restructuring plans at youth level to go ahead.

“More importantly, the role our youth section plays on the pitch will be more significant in the coming years and beyond. Youth development is never a quick fix, but it is the only way to progress.

“We have recently signed Alasan Ann and Newman Carney on professional deals whilst also agreeing terms with nine new scholars who will feature for the U18s next season under the guidance of Paul Driver.

“The future is most definitely bright and our restructuring plans are hugely exciting.

“Not only are we employing more people – which will give players at all youth levels a dedicated point of contact – but across the board we have invested in quality people too.

“On behalf of all the board members and shareholders I would like to welcome and wish all our new faces good luck at Luton Town.

“We would also like to pay tribute to Gregg who has done a marvellous job over the past six years at this club and wish him well for his future away from Kenilworth Road.”

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