Luton Town Football Club is an English football club, founded in 1885. [1] After becoming the first professional team in the south of England in 1891, [2] Luton joined The Football League in 1897 before leaving three years later. [3] The club rejoined the League in 1920, [4] and reached its top division in 1955–56. [5] After losing the 1959 FA Cup Final 2–1 to Nottingham Forest, [6] a period of decline saw Luton in the Fourth Division by 1965. [7] After a swift revival the club was back in Division Two by 1970. [8] Luton earned another promotion four years later, returning to Division One for the 1974–75 season, in which Luton were relegated back to the Second Division. [9]
Financial crises during the 1970s led to the sale of important players [10] [11] and it was not until David Pleat, a former Luton player, was appointed in 1978 that Luton started to recover. [12] Pleat's team achieved promotion in 1981–82, and remained in Division One until 1992. Luton won the League Cup in the 1987–88 season with a 3–2 victory over Arsenal, but it marked the beginning of decline. [9] Inconsistent performance and financial uncertainty meant that Luton rose and fell through the divisions from season to season, [13] [14] [15] and in 2007 a collapse began that would result in three successive relegations. [9] The club claimed a Football League Trophy victory in 2009, [16] but with it came the relegation to the Conference Premier made inevitable by 40 points deducted in two seasons. [17] [18] Luton contested five years in non-League football, including three unsuccessful play-off campaigns, before winning promotion to League Two as Conference Premier champions in the 2013–14 season. [19] The club were promoted to League One after finishing second in League Two in 2017–18, [20] [21] and the following season they won a second successive promotion to the Championship after winning the League One title. [22] [23]
Top scorer and number of goals scored shown in bold when he was also top scorer for the division
Division shown in bold when it changes due to
promotion, relegation or reorganisation
League results shown in italics for abandoned or wartime competitions
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Season | League | FA Cup |
League Cup [a] |
Other competitions | Top scorer(s) [b] | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos. | Competition | Pos. | Player(s) | Goals | |||
1885–86 | R1 | — | — | none | 0 | ||||||||||
1886–87 | R1 | — | — | E. Ellingham | 1 | ||||||||||
1887–88 | R1 | — | — | George Deacon | 1 | ||||||||||
1888–89 | QR3 | — | — | J.C. Lomax | 6 | ||||||||||
1889–90 | QR3 | — | — |
Harry Whitby J.C. Lomax |
1 | ||||||||||
1890–91 | QR1 | — | — | none | 0 | ||||||||||
1891–92 | R1 | — | — | Harry Whitby | 5 | ||||||||||
1892–93 | QR3 | — | — | Frank Whitby | 4 | ||||||||||
1893–94 | R1 | — | — |
Fred Allen Robert Dimmock |
3 | ||||||||||
1894–95 | South [c] | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 36 | 22 | 22 | 2nd | R1 | — | — | Hugh Galbraith | 16 | |
1895–96 | South | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 68 | 14 | 27 | 2nd | QR1 | — | — | Hugh Galbraith | 17 | |
1896–97 | United [d] | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 52 | 16 | 21 | 2nd | R1 | — | — | George Ekins | 9 | |
1897–98 | Div 2 [e] | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 68 | 50 | 30 | 8th | R1 | — | — | Willie Stewart | 12 | |
United | 16 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 49 | 11 | 28 | 1st | |||||||
1898–99 | Div 2 | 34 | 10 | 3 | 21 | 51 | 95 | 23 | 15th | QR5 | — | — | James Kemplay | 12 | |
United | 20 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 24 | 71 | 7 | 11th | |||||||
1899–1900 | Div 2 | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 40 | 75 | 18 | 17th | QR5 | — | — | John Brock | 11 | |
1900–01 | South [f] | 28 | 11 | 2 | 15 | 43 | 49 | 24 | 10th | Int | — | — |
James Blessington Jimmy Durrant |
11 | |
1901–02 | South | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 31 | 35 | 32 | 7th | Int | — | — | James Blessington | 14 | |
1902–03 | South | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 43 | 44 | 27 | 11th | R1 | — | — | Leon Gall | 12 | |
1903–04 | South | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 38 | 33 | 40 | 8th | QR5 | — | — | Jason McKee | 9 | |
1904–05 | South | 34 | 12 | 3 | 19 | 45 | 54 | 27 | 17th | QR6 | — | — | David Ross | 12 | |
1905–06 | South | 34 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 64 | 40 | 41 | 4th | QR4 | — | — | Sandy Brown | 18 | |
1906–07 | South | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 52 | 52 | 45 | 4th | R2 | — | — | Sandy Brown | 15 | |
1907–08 | South | 38 | 12 | 6 | 20 | 33 | 56 | 30 | 18th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 13 | |
West 1B [g] | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 21 | 12 | 4th | |||||||
1908–09 | South | 40 | 17 | 6 | 17 | 59 | 60 | 40 | 9th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 15 | |
West 1A | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 24 | 12 | 4th | |||||||
1909–10 | South | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 72 | 92 | 41 | 15th | QR4 | — | — | Thomas Quinn | 24 | |
1910–11 | South | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 67 | 63 | 38 | 9th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 25 | |
1911–12 | South | 38 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 49 | 61 | 28 | 19th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 15 | |
1912–13 | South 2 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 52 | 39 | 30 | 5th | QR5 | — | — | James Stephenson | 10 | |
1913–14 | South 2 | 30 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 92 | 22 | 51 | 2nd | QR5 | — | — |
Ernie Simms Arthur Wileman |
28 | |
1914–15 | South | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 61 | 73 | 34 | 14th | R1 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 30 | |
1919–20 | South | 42 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 51 | 76 | 30 | 20th | R2 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 12 | |
1920–21 | Div 3 [h] | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 61 | 56 | 44 | 9th | R3 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 34 | |
1921–22 | Div 3 S | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 64 | 35 | 52 | 4th | R2 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 18 | |
1922–23 | Div 3 S | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 68 | 49 | 49 | 5th | R1 | — | — | Syd Reid | 18 | |
1923–24 | Div 3 S | 42 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 50 | 44 | 46 | 7th | R1 | — | — | Andy Kerr | 20 | |
1924–25 | Div 3 S | 42 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 49 | 57 | 37 | 16th | R1 | — | — |
George Dennis Syd Reid |
12 | |
1925–26 | Div 3 S | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 80 | 75 | 43 | 7th | R2 | — | — | Jimmy Thompson | 25 | |
1926–27 | Div 3 S | 42 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 68 | 66 | 44 | 8th | R3 | — | — | Syd Reid | 21 | |
1927–28 | Div 3 S | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 94 | 87 | 39 | 13th | R3 | — | — | Jimmy Yardley | 28 | |
1928–29 | Div 3 S | 42 | 19 | 11 | 12 | 89 | 73 | 49 | 7th | R3 | — | — | Andy Rennie | 48 | |
1929–30 | Div 3 S | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 64 | 78 | 40 | 13th | R1 | — | — |
Andy Rennie Jimmy Yardley |
17 | |
1930–31 | Div 3 S | 42 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 76 | 51 | 46 | 7th | R2 | — | — | Andy Rennie | 20 | |
1931–32 | Div 3 S | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 95 | 70 | 47 | 6th | R3 | — | — | Tommy Tait | 27 | |
1932–33 | Div 3 S | 42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 78 | 78 | 39 | 14th | R6 | — | — | Tommy Tait | 23 | |
1933–34 | Div 3 S | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 83 | 61 | 52 | 6th | R3 | Football League Third Division South Cup | R2 | Andy Rennie | 17 | |
1934–35 | Div 3 S | 42 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 92 | 60 | 50 | 4th | R4 | Football League Third Division South Cup | R2 | Jack Ball | 31 | |
1935–36 | Div 3 S | 42 | 22 | 12 | 8 | 81 | 45 | 56 | 2nd | R4 | Football League Third Division South Cup | R1 | George Stephenson | 14 | |
1936–37 | Div 3 S | 42 | 27 | 4 | 11 | 103 | 53 | 58 | 1st | R4 | Football League Third Division South Cup | QF | Joe Payne | 58 | |
1937–38 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 89 | 86 | 40 | 12th | R5 | — | — | Joe Payne | 16 | |
1938–39 | Div 2 | 42 | 22 | 5 | 15 | 82 | 66 | 49 | 7th | R3 | — | — | Hugh Billington | 28 | |
1939–40 [i] | Div 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 5 | – | n/a | — | — | Hugh Billington | 5 | |
1945–46 | n/a [j] | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | R3 | — | — | none | 0 | |
1946–47 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 71 | 83 | 39 | 13th | R5 | — | — | Hugh Billington | 28 | |
1947–48 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 56 | 59 | 40 | 13th | R5 | — | — | Hugh Billington | 14 | |
1948–49 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 55 | 57 | 40 | 10th | R5 | — | — | Billy Arnison | 19 | |
1949–50 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 41 | 51 | 38 | 17th | R3 | — | — | George Stobbart | 9 | |
1950–51 | Div 2 | 42 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 57 | 70 | 32 | 19th | R4 | — | — |
Willie Davie George Stobbart |
9 | |
1951–52 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 77 | 78 | 44 | 8th | R6 | — | — | Jack Taylor | 24 | |
1952–53 | Div 2 | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 84 | 49 | 52 | 3rd | R5 | — | — | Jesse Pye | 28 | |
1953–54 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 64 | 59 | 48 | 6th | R4 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 16 | |
1954–55 | Div 2 | 42 | 23 | 8 | 11 | 88 | 53 | 54 | 2nd | R5 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 37 | |
1955–56 | Div 1 | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 66 | 64 | 42 | 10th | R3 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 19 | |
1956–57 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 58 | 76 | 37 | 16th | R3 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 35 | |
1957–58 | Div 1 | 42 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 69 | 63 | 44 | 8th | R3 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 38 | |
1958–59 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 68 | 71 | 37 | 17th | RU [k] | — | — | Allan Brown | 25 | |
1959–60 | Div 1 | 42 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 50 | 73 | 30 | 22nd | R5 | — | — | Billy Bingham | 16 | |
1960–61 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 71 | 79 | 39 | 13th | R5 | R2 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 29 |
1961–62 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 5 | 20 | 69 | 71 | 39 | 13th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 21 |
1962–63 | Div 2 | 42 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 61 | 84 | 29 | 22nd | R3 | R4 | — | — | Ron Davies | 21 |
1963–64 | Div 3 | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 64 | 80 | 42 | 18th | R3 | R2 | — | — | John O'Rourke | 22 |
1964–65 | Div 3 | 46 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 51 | 94 | 33 | 21st | R3 | R2 | — | — | Tommy McKechnie | 11 |
1965–66 | Div 4 | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 90 | 70 | 56 | 6th | R2 | R1 | — | — | John O'Rourke | 34 |
1966–67 | Div 4 | 46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 59 | 73 | 41 | 17th | R2 | R1 | — | — |
Bruce Rioch Ray Whittaker |
11 |
1967–68 | Div 4 | 46 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 87 | 44 | 66 | 1st | R2 | R2 | — | — | Bruce Rioch | 27 |
1968–69 | Div 3 | 46 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 74 | 38 | 61 | 3rd | R3 | R3 | — | — | Brian Lewis | 23 |
1969–70 | Div 3 | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 77 | 43 | 60 | 2nd | R2 | R3 | — | — | Malcolm Macdonald | 28 |
1970–71 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 62 | 43 | 49 | 6th | R3 | R3 | Watney Cup | QF | Malcolm Macdonald | 30 |
1971–72 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 43 | 48 | 38 | 13th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Peter Anderson | 10 |
1972–73 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 44 | 53 | 41 | 12th | R6 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | John Aston | 12 |
1973–74 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 64 | 51 | 50 | 2nd | R5 | R4 | — | — | Barry Butlin | 18 |
1974–75 | Div 1 | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 47 | 65 | 33 | 20th | R3 | R3 | Texaco Cup | Grp | Adrian Alston | 8 |
1975–76 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 61 | 51 | 48 | 7th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Jimmy Husband | 14 |
1976–77 | Div 2 | 42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 67 | 48 | 48 | 6th | R4 | R2 | — | — |
Ron Futcher Jimmy Husband |
13 |
1977–78 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 54 | 52 | 38 | 13th | R4 | R3 | — | — |
Phil Boersma Ron Futcher |
10 |
1978–79 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 60 | 57 | 36 | 18th | R3 | QF | — | — | Brian Stein | 14 |
1979–80 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 17 | 9 | 66 | 45 | 49 | 6th | R3 | R1 | — | — | David Moss | 24 |
1980–81 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 61 | 46 | 48 | 5th | R4 | R3 | — | — |
David Moss Brian Stein |
19 |
1981–82 | Div 2 | 42 | 25 | 13 | 4 | 86 | 46 | 88 [l] | 1st | R4 | R2 | — | — | Brian Stein | 21 |
1982–83 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 65 | 84 | 49 | 18th | R4 | R4 | — | — | Brian Stein | 15 |
1983–84 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 53 | 66 | 51 | 16th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Paul Walsh | 14 |
1984–85 | Div 1 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 57 | 61 | 54 | 13th | SF | R4 | — | — | Mick Harford | 16 |
1985–86 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 61 | 44 | 66 | 9th | R6 | R3 | — | — | Mick Harford | 25 |
1986–87 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 47 | 45 | 66 | 7th [m] | R4 | n/a [n] | — | — |
Mike Newell Brian Stein |
13 |
1987–88 | Div 1 | 40 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 57 | 58 | 53 | 9th | SF | W [o] | Full Members' Cup | RU [p] | Mick Harford | 21 |
Football League Centenary Tournament | R1 | ||||||||||||||
1988–89 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 42 | 52 | 41 | 16th | R3 | RU [q] | Full Members' Cup | R3 |
Roy Wegerle Danny Wilson |
12 |
1989–90 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 42 | 52 | 41 | 16th | R3 | R3 | Full Members' Cup | R2S |
Kingsley Black Iain Dowie |
11 |
1990–91 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 42 | 61 | 37 | 18th | R4 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | SFS | Lars Elstrup | 18 |
1991–92 | Div 1 | 42 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 38 | 71 | 42 | 20th | R3 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | R2S | Mick Harford | 12 |
1992–93 | Div 1 [r] | 46 | 10 | 21 | 15 | 48 | 62 | 51 | 20th | R4 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Phil Gray | 20 |
1993–94 | Div 1 | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 56 | 60 | 53 | 20th | SF | R1 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Scott Oakes | 13 |
1994–95 | Div 1 | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 61 | 64 | 58 | 16th | R4 | R1 | — | — | Dwight Marshall | 13 |
1995–96 | Div 1 | 46 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 40 | 64 | 45 | 24th | R3 | R1 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Dwight Marshall | 13 |
1996–97 | Div 2 | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 71 | 45 | 78 | 3rd [s] | R3 | R3 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Tony Thorpe | 31 |
1997–98 | Div 2 | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 60 | 64 | 57 | 17th | R1 | R2 | Football League Trophy | SFS | Tony Thorpe | 19 |
1998–99 | Div 2 | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 51 | 60 | 58 | 12th | R2 | QF | Football League Trophy | R2S | Phil Gray | 13 |
1999–2000 | Div 2 | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 61 | 65 | 61 | 13th | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R1S | Liam George | 16 |
2000–01 | Div 2 | 46 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 52 | 80 | 40 | 22nd | R3 | R2 | Football League Trophy | R1S | Liam George | 9 |
2001–02 | Div 3 | 46 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 96 | 48 | 97 | 2nd | R1 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Steve Howard | 24 |
2002–03 | Div 2 | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 67 | 62 | 65 | 9th | R2 | R2 | Football League Trophy | QFS | Steve Howard | 23 |
2003–04 | Div 2 | 46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 69 | 66 | 66 | 10th | R4 | R2 | Football League Trophy | QFS | Steve Howard | 16 |
2004–05 | Lge 1 [t] | 46 | 29 | 11 | 6 | 87 | 48 | 98 | 1st | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R1S | Steve Howard | 22 |
2005–06 | Champ | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 66 | 67 | 61 | 10th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Steve Howard | 15 |
2006–07 | Champ | 46 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 53 | 81 | 40 | 23rd | R4 | R3 | — | — | Rowan Vine | 14 |
2007–08 | Lge 1 | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 43 | 63 | 33 [u] | 24th | R3 | R4 | Football League Trophy | R2S |
Paul Furlong Matthew Spring |
12 |
2008–09 | Lge 2 | 46 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 58 | 65 | 26 [v] | 24th | R2 | R2 | Football League Trophy | W [w] | Chris Martin | 13 |
2009–10 | Conf Prem | 44 | 26 | 10 | 8 | 84 | 40 | 88 | 2nd [x] | R3 | — | FA Trophy | R1 | Tom Craddock | 24 |
2010–11 | Conf Prem | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 85 | 37 | 84 | 3rd [y] | R2 | — | FA Trophy | SF | Matthew Barnes-Homer | 19 |
2011–12 | Conf Prem | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 78 | 42 | 81 | 5th [z] | R2 | — | FA Trophy | SF | Stuart Fleetwood | 16 |
2012–13 | Conf Prem | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 70 | 62 | 67 | 7th [aa] | R5 | — | FA Trophy | QF | Andre Gray | 20 |
2013–14 | Conf Prem | 46 | 30 | 11 | 5 | 102 | 35 | 101 | 1st | R1 | — | FA Trophy | R3 | Andre Gray | 30 |
2014–15 | Lge 2 | 46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 54 | 44 | 68 | 8th | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Mark Cullen | 14 |
2015–16 | Lge 2 | 46 | 19 | 9 | 18 | 63 | 61 | 66 | 11th | R2 | R2 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Jack Marriott | 16 |
2016–17 | Lge 2 | 46 | 20 | 17 | 9 | 70 | 43 | 77 | 4th [ab] | R3 | R2 | EFL Trophy | SF | Danny Hylton | 27 |
2017–18 | Lge 2 | 46 | 25 | 13 | 8 | 94 | 46 | 88 | 2nd | R3 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R3S | Danny Hylton | 23 |
2018–19 | Lge 1 | 46 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 90 | 42 | 94 | 1st | R3 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R2S | James Collins | 25 |
2019–20 | Champ | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 54 | 82 | 51 | 19th | R3 | R3 | — | — | James Collins | 14 |
2020–21 | Champ | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 41 | 52 | 62 | 12th | R4 | R3 | — | — | James Collins | 13 |
2021–22 | Champ | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 63 | 55 | 75 | 6th [ac] | R5 | R1 | — | — | Elijah Adebayo | 17 |
2022–23 | Champ | 46 | 21 | 17 | 8 | 57 | 39 | 80 | 3rd [ad] | R4 | R1 | — | — | Carlton Morris | 20 |
General
Specific
Luton Town Football Club is an English football club, founded in 1885. [1] After becoming the first professional team in the south of England in 1891, [2] Luton joined The Football League in 1897 before leaving three years later. [3] The club rejoined the League in 1920, [4] and reached its top division in 1955–56. [5] After losing the 1959 FA Cup Final 2–1 to Nottingham Forest, [6] a period of decline saw Luton in the Fourth Division by 1965. [7] After a swift revival the club was back in Division Two by 1970. [8] Luton earned another promotion four years later, returning to Division One for the 1974–75 season, in which Luton were relegated back to the Second Division. [9]
Financial crises during the 1970s led to the sale of important players [10] [11] and it was not until David Pleat, a former Luton player, was appointed in 1978 that Luton started to recover. [12] Pleat's team achieved promotion in 1981–82, and remained in Division One until 1992. Luton won the League Cup in the 1987–88 season with a 3–2 victory over Arsenal, but it marked the beginning of decline. [9] Inconsistent performance and financial uncertainty meant that Luton rose and fell through the divisions from season to season, [13] [14] [15] and in 2007 a collapse began that would result in three successive relegations. [9] The club claimed a Football League Trophy victory in 2009, [16] but with it came the relegation to the Conference Premier made inevitable by 40 points deducted in two seasons. [17] [18] Luton contested five years in non-League football, including three unsuccessful play-off campaigns, before winning promotion to League Two as Conference Premier champions in the 2013–14 season. [19] The club were promoted to League One after finishing second in League Two in 2017–18, [20] [21] and the following season they won a second successive promotion to the Championship after winning the League One title. [22] [23]
Top scorer and number of goals scored shown in bold when he was also top scorer for the division
Division shown in bold when it changes due to
promotion, relegation or reorganisation
League results shown in italics for abandoned or wartime competitions
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Season | League | FA Cup |
League Cup [a] |
Other competitions | Top scorer(s) [b] | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos. | Competition | Pos. | Player(s) | Goals | |||
1885–86 | R1 | — | — | none | 0 | ||||||||||
1886–87 | R1 | — | — | E. Ellingham | 1 | ||||||||||
1887–88 | R1 | — | — | George Deacon | 1 | ||||||||||
1888–89 | QR3 | — | — | J.C. Lomax | 6 | ||||||||||
1889–90 | QR3 | — | — |
Harry Whitby J.C. Lomax |
1 | ||||||||||
1890–91 | QR1 | — | — | none | 0 | ||||||||||
1891–92 | R1 | — | — | Harry Whitby | 5 | ||||||||||
1892–93 | QR3 | — | — | Frank Whitby | 4 | ||||||||||
1893–94 | R1 | — | — |
Fred Allen Robert Dimmock |
3 | ||||||||||
1894–95 | South [c] | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 36 | 22 | 22 | 2nd | R1 | — | — | Hugh Galbraith | 16 | |
1895–96 | South | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 68 | 14 | 27 | 2nd | QR1 | — | — | Hugh Galbraith | 17 | |
1896–97 | United [d] | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 52 | 16 | 21 | 2nd | R1 | — | — | George Ekins | 9 | |
1897–98 | Div 2 [e] | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 68 | 50 | 30 | 8th | R1 | — | — | Willie Stewart | 12 | |
United | 16 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 49 | 11 | 28 | 1st | |||||||
1898–99 | Div 2 | 34 | 10 | 3 | 21 | 51 | 95 | 23 | 15th | QR5 | — | — | James Kemplay | 12 | |
United | 20 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 24 | 71 | 7 | 11th | |||||||
1899–1900 | Div 2 | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 40 | 75 | 18 | 17th | QR5 | — | — | John Brock | 11 | |
1900–01 | South [f] | 28 | 11 | 2 | 15 | 43 | 49 | 24 | 10th | Int | — | — |
James Blessington Jimmy Durrant |
11 | |
1901–02 | South | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 31 | 35 | 32 | 7th | Int | — | — | James Blessington | 14 | |
1902–03 | South | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 43 | 44 | 27 | 11th | R1 | — | — | Leon Gall | 12 | |
1903–04 | South | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 38 | 33 | 40 | 8th | QR5 | — | — | Jason McKee | 9 | |
1904–05 | South | 34 | 12 | 3 | 19 | 45 | 54 | 27 | 17th | QR6 | — | — | David Ross | 12 | |
1905–06 | South | 34 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 64 | 40 | 41 | 4th | QR4 | — | — | Sandy Brown | 18 | |
1906–07 | South | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 52 | 52 | 45 | 4th | R2 | — | — | Sandy Brown | 15 | |
1907–08 | South | 38 | 12 | 6 | 20 | 33 | 56 | 30 | 18th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 13 | |
West 1B [g] | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 21 | 12 | 4th | |||||||
1908–09 | South | 40 | 17 | 6 | 17 | 59 | 60 | 40 | 9th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 15 | |
West 1A | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 24 | 12 | 4th | |||||||
1909–10 | South | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 72 | 92 | 41 | 15th | QR4 | — | — | Thomas Quinn | 24 | |
1910–11 | South | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 67 | 63 | 38 | 9th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 25 | |
1911–12 | South | 38 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 49 | 61 | 28 | 19th | R1 | — | — | Herbert Moody | 15 | |
1912–13 | South 2 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 52 | 39 | 30 | 5th | QR5 | — | — | James Stephenson | 10 | |
1913–14 | South 2 | 30 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 92 | 22 | 51 | 2nd | QR5 | — | — |
Ernie Simms Arthur Wileman |
28 | |
1914–15 | South | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 61 | 73 | 34 | 14th | R1 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 30 | |
1919–20 | South | 42 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 51 | 76 | 30 | 20th | R2 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 12 | |
1920–21 | Div 3 [h] | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 61 | 56 | 44 | 9th | R3 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 34 | |
1921–22 | Div 3 S | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 64 | 35 | 52 | 4th | R2 | — | — | Ernie Simms | 18 | |
1922–23 | Div 3 S | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 68 | 49 | 49 | 5th | R1 | — | — | Syd Reid | 18 | |
1923–24 | Div 3 S | 42 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 50 | 44 | 46 | 7th | R1 | — | — | Andy Kerr | 20 | |
1924–25 | Div 3 S | 42 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 49 | 57 | 37 | 16th | R1 | — | — |
George Dennis Syd Reid |
12 | |
1925–26 | Div 3 S | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 80 | 75 | 43 | 7th | R2 | — | — | Jimmy Thompson | 25 | |
1926–27 | Div 3 S | 42 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 68 | 66 | 44 | 8th | R3 | — | — | Syd Reid | 21 | |
1927–28 | Div 3 S | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 94 | 87 | 39 | 13th | R3 | — | — | Jimmy Yardley | 28 | |
1928–29 | Div 3 S | 42 | 19 | 11 | 12 | 89 | 73 | 49 | 7th | R3 | — | — | Andy Rennie | 48 | |
1929–30 | Div 3 S | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 64 | 78 | 40 | 13th | R1 | — | — |
Andy Rennie Jimmy Yardley |
17 | |
1930–31 | Div 3 S | 42 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 76 | 51 | 46 | 7th | R2 | — | — | Andy Rennie | 20 | |
1931–32 | Div 3 S | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 95 | 70 | 47 | 6th | R3 | — | — | Tommy Tait | 27 | |
1932–33 | Div 3 S | 42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 78 | 78 | 39 | 14th | R6 | — | — | Tommy Tait | 23 | |
1933–34 | Div 3 S | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 83 | 61 | 52 | 6th | R3 | Football League Third Division South Cup | R2 | Andy Rennie | 17 | |
1934–35 | Div 3 S | 42 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 92 | 60 | 50 | 4th | R4 | Football League Third Division South Cup | R2 | Jack Ball | 31 | |
1935–36 | Div 3 S | 42 | 22 | 12 | 8 | 81 | 45 | 56 | 2nd | R4 | Football League Third Division South Cup | R1 | George Stephenson | 14 | |
1936–37 | Div 3 S | 42 | 27 | 4 | 11 | 103 | 53 | 58 | 1st | R4 | Football League Third Division South Cup | QF | Joe Payne | 58 | |
1937–38 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 89 | 86 | 40 | 12th | R5 | — | — | Joe Payne | 16 | |
1938–39 | Div 2 | 42 | 22 | 5 | 15 | 82 | 66 | 49 | 7th | R3 | — | — | Hugh Billington | 28 | |
1939–40 [i] | Div 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 5 | – | n/a | — | — | Hugh Billington | 5 | |
1945–46 | n/a [j] | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | R3 | — | — | none | 0 | |
1946–47 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 71 | 83 | 39 | 13th | R5 | — | — | Hugh Billington | 28 | |
1947–48 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 56 | 59 | 40 | 13th | R5 | — | — | Hugh Billington | 14 | |
1948–49 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 55 | 57 | 40 | 10th | R5 | — | — | Billy Arnison | 19 | |
1949–50 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 41 | 51 | 38 | 17th | R3 | — | — | George Stobbart | 9 | |
1950–51 | Div 2 | 42 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 57 | 70 | 32 | 19th | R4 | — | — |
Willie Davie George Stobbart |
9 | |
1951–52 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 77 | 78 | 44 | 8th | R6 | — | — | Jack Taylor | 24 | |
1952–53 | Div 2 | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 84 | 49 | 52 | 3rd | R5 | — | — | Jesse Pye | 28 | |
1953–54 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 64 | 59 | 48 | 6th | R4 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 16 | |
1954–55 | Div 2 | 42 | 23 | 8 | 11 | 88 | 53 | 54 | 2nd | R5 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 37 | |
1955–56 | Div 1 | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 66 | 64 | 42 | 10th | R3 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 19 | |
1956–57 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 58 | 76 | 37 | 16th | R3 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 35 | |
1957–58 | Div 1 | 42 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 69 | 63 | 44 | 8th | R3 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 38 | |
1958–59 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 68 | 71 | 37 | 17th | RU [k] | — | — | Allan Brown | 25 | |
1959–60 | Div 1 | 42 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 50 | 73 | 30 | 22nd | R5 | — | — | Billy Bingham | 16 | |
1960–61 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 71 | 79 | 39 | 13th | R5 | R2 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 29 |
1961–62 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 5 | 20 | 69 | 71 | 39 | 13th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Gordon Turner | 21 |
1962–63 | Div 2 | 42 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 61 | 84 | 29 | 22nd | R3 | R4 | — | — | Ron Davies | 21 |
1963–64 | Div 3 | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 64 | 80 | 42 | 18th | R3 | R2 | — | — | John O'Rourke | 22 |
1964–65 | Div 3 | 46 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 51 | 94 | 33 | 21st | R3 | R2 | — | — | Tommy McKechnie | 11 |
1965–66 | Div 4 | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 90 | 70 | 56 | 6th | R2 | R1 | — | — | John O'Rourke | 34 |
1966–67 | Div 4 | 46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 59 | 73 | 41 | 17th | R2 | R1 | — | — |
Bruce Rioch Ray Whittaker |
11 |
1967–68 | Div 4 | 46 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 87 | 44 | 66 | 1st | R2 | R2 | — | — | Bruce Rioch | 27 |
1968–69 | Div 3 | 46 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 74 | 38 | 61 | 3rd | R3 | R3 | — | — | Brian Lewis | 23 |
1969–70 | Div 3 | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 77 | 43 | 60 | 2nd | R2 | R3 | — | — | Malcolm Macdonald | 28 |
1970–71 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 62 | 43 | 49 | 6th | R3 | R3 | Watney Cup | QF | Malcolm Macdonald | 30 |
1971–72 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 43 | 48 | 38 | 13th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Peter Anderson | 10 |
1972–73 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 44 | 53 | 41 | 12th | R6 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | John Aston | 12 |
1973–74 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 64 | 51 | 50 | 2nd | R5 | R4 | — | — | Barry Butlin | 18 |
1974–75 | Div 1 | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 47 | 65 | 33 | 20th | R3 | R3 | Texaco Cup | Grp | Adrian Alston | 8 |
1975–76 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 61 | 51 | 48 | 7th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Jimmy Husband | 14 |
1976–77 | Div 2 | 42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 67 | 48 | 48 | 6th | R4 | R2 | — | — |
Ron Futcher Jimmy Husband |
13 |
1977–78 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 54 | 52 | 38 | 13th | R4 | R3 | — | — |
Phil Boersma Ron Futcher |
10 |
1978–79 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 60 | 57 | 36 | 18th | R3 | QF | — | — | Brian Stein | 14 |
1979–80 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 17 | 9 | 66 | 45 | 49 | 6th | R3 | R1 | — | — | David Moss | 24 |
1980–81 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 61 | 46 | 48 | 5th | R4 | R3 | — | — |
David Moss Brian Stein |
19 |
1981–82 | Div 2 | 42 | 25 | 13 | 4 | 86 | 46 | 88 [l] | 1st | R4 | R2 | — | — | Brian Stein | 21 |
1982–83 | Div 1 | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 65 | 84 | 49 | 18th | R4 | R4 | — | — | Brian Stein | 15 |
1983–84 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 53 | 66 | 51 | 16th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Paul Walsh | 14 |
1984–85 | Div 1 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 57 | 61 | 54 | 13th | SF | R4 | — | — | Mick Harford | 16 |
1985–86 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 61 | 44 | 66 | 9th | R6 | R3 | — | — | Mick Harford | 25 |
1986–87 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 47 | 45 | 66 | 7th [m] | R4 | n/a [n] | — | — |
Mike Newell Brian Stein |
13 |
1987–88 | Div 1 | 40 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 57 | 58 | 53 | 9th | SF | W [o] | Full Members' Cup | RU [p] | Mick Harford | 21 |
Football League Centenary Tournament | R1 | ||||||||||||||
1988–89 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 42 | 52 | 41 | 16th | R3 | RU [q] | Full Members' Cup | R3 |
Roy Wegerle Danny Wilson |
12 |
1989–90 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 42 | 52 | 41 | 16th | R3 | R3 | Full Members' Cup | R2S |
Kingsley Black Iain Dowie |
11 |
1990–91 | Div 1 | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 42 | 61 | 37 | 18th | R4 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | SFS | Lars Elstrup | 18 |
1991–92 | Div 1 | 42 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 38 | 71 | 42 | 20th | R3 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | R2S | Mick Harford | 12 |
1992–93 | Div 1 [r] | 46 | 10 | 21 | 15 | 48 | 62 | 51 | 20th | R4 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Phil Gray | 20 |
1993–94 | Div 1 | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 56 | 60 | 53 | 20th | SF | R1 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Scott Oakes | 13 |
1994–95 | Div 1 | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 61 | 64 | 58 | 16th | R4 | R1 | — | — | Dwight Marshall | 13 |
1995–96 | Div 1 | 46 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 40 | 64 | 45 | 24th | R3 | R1 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Dwight Marshall | 13 |
1996–97 | Div 2 | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 71 | 45 | 78 | 3rd [s] | R3 | R3 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Tony Thorpe | 31 |
1997–98 | Div 2 | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 60 | 64 | 57 | 17th | R1 | R2 | Football League Trophy | SFS | Tony Thorpe | 19 |
1998–99 | Div 2 | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 51 | 60 | 58 | 12th | R2 | QF | Football League Trophy | R2S | Phil Gray | 13 |
1999–2000 | Div 2 | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 61 | 65 | 61 | 13th | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R1S | Liam George | 16 |
2000–01 | Div 2 | 46 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 52 | 80 | 40 | 22nd | R3 | R2 | Football League Trophy | R1S | Liam George | 9 |
2001–02 | Div 3 | 46 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 96 | 48 | 97 | 2nd | R1 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Steve Howard | 24 |
2002–03 | Div 2 | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 67 | 62 | 65 | 9th | R2 | R2 | Football League Trophy | QFS | Steve Howard | 23 |
2003–04 | Div 2 | 46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 69 | 66 | 66 | 10th | R4 | R2 | Football League Trophy | QFS | Steve Howard | 16 |
2004–05 | Lge 1 [t] | 46 | 29 | 11 | 6 | 87 | 48 | 98 | 1st | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R1S | Steve Howard | 22 |
2005–06 | Champ | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 66 | 67 | 61 | 10th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Steve Howard | 15 |
2006–07 | Champ | 46 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 53 | 81 | 40 | 23rd | R4 | R3 | — | — | Rowan Vine | 14 |
2007–08 | Lge 1 | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 43 | 63 | 33 [u] | 24th | R3 | R4 | Football League Trophy | R2S |
Paul Furlong Matthew Spring |
12 |
2008–09 | Lge 2 | 46 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 58 | 65 | 26 [v] | 24th | R2 | R2 | Football League Trophy | W [w] | Chris Martin | 13 |
2009–10 | Conf Prem | 44 | 26 | 10 | 8 | 84 | 40 | 88 | 2nd [x] | R3 | — | FA Trophy | R1 | Tom Craddock | 24 |
2010–11 | Conf Prem | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 85 | 37 | 84 | 3rd [y] | R2 | — | FA Trophy | SF | Matthew Barnes-Homer | 19 |
2011–12 | Conf Prem | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 78 | 42 | 81 | 5th [z] | R2 | — | FA Trophy | SF | Stuart Fleetwood | 16 |
2012–13 | Conf Prem | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 70 | 62 | 67 | 7th [aa] | R5 | — | FA Trophy | QF | Andre Gray | 20 |
2013–14 | Conf Prem | 46 | 30 | 11 | 5 | 102 | 35 | 101 | 1st | R1 | — | FA Trophy | R3 | Andre Gray | 30 |
2014–15 | Lge 2 | 46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 54 | 44 | 68 | 8th | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Mark Cullen | 14 |
2015–16 | Lge 2 | 46 | 19 | 9 | 18 | 63 | 61 | 66 | 11th | R2 | R2 | Football League Trophy | R2S | Jack Marriott | 16 |
2016–17 | Lge 2 | 46 | 20 | 17 | 9 | 70 | 43 | 77 | 4th [ab] | R3 | R2 | EFL Trophy | SF | Danny Hylton | 27 |
2017–18 | Lge 2 | 46 | 25 | 13 | 8 | 94 | 46 | 88 | 2nd | R3 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R3S | Danny Hylton | 23 |
2018–19 | Lge 1 | 46 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 90 | 42 | 94 | 1st | R3 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R2S | James Collins | 25 |
2019–20 | Champ | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 54 | 82 | 51 | 19th | R3 | R3 | — | — | James Collins | 14 |
2020–21 | Champ | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 41 | 52 | 62 | 12th | R4 | R3 | — | — | James Collins | 13 |
2021–22 | Champ | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 63 | 55 | 75 | 6th [ac] | R5 | R1 | — | — | Elijah Adebayo | 17 |
2022–23 | Champ | 46 | 21 | 17 | 8 | 57 | 39 | 80 | 3rd [ad] | R4 | R1 | — | — | Carlton Morris | 20 |
General
Specific