Luton Town legend Mick Harford says that tomorrow’s Power Court verdict will be crucial for the town and “the biggest decision the football club is going to receive”.
The current interim manager took charge of a Hatters match at Kenilworth Road for the first time since September 29, 2009 but was unlucky to see his side fall to a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
It meant that Town missed out on a fourth-round tie at Premier League Chelsea, but the attention of the whole town will turn quickly towards Luton Town Hall tomorrow evening from 6pm.
That’s where councillors will make a decision over the Power Court planning application which, among a host of transformational new facilities in the town centre, includes a 17,500-seat stadium.
It will be the first of two major planning decisions on applications submitted by 2020 Developments, the property arm of the football club. The other, Newlands Park at junction 10 of the M1, will be determined on January 30.
But asked about tomorrow’s Power Court hearing, which takes place after a planning officer last week recommended the application for approval, Harford said: “I’ll quote Gary [Sweet – chief executive], It’s probably the biggest decision the football club is going to receive. It’s only half time and we’re 1-0 up at the moment.
“It’s not just massive for Luton Town Football Club, it’s massive for the whole community, the whole area. Everyone who has lived in Luton, it’s a massive, massive day for the town and we’re just thrilled.
“[It could be] historic, exciting. It’s an opportunity now for the club to move on. It has been ongoing for years and years.
“It will be a real sad day when we have to move out of this place [Kenilworth Road] because the history that’s been here. It’s amazing what’s happened down here over the years and tonight was nearly another one of those evenings.
“It’s something the club needs to do and all you can do is thank 2020 and the guys for getting the club in this position.”