Editing Luton Town F.C. (section)

==Stadium==
{{main article|Dallow Lane|Dunstable Road|Kenilworth Road|Power Court Stadium}}

[[File:Kenilworth Road.jpg|thumb|The view from the Kenilworth End in 2007. To the left is the Main Stand, and to the right is the Oak Road End.|alt=An old-fashioned association football stadium. On the left a large wooden grandstand is visible, filled with blue seats; straight ahead, a smaller stand is seen, also with blue seats. On the latter stand, the word "LUTON" is spelled out in white seats among the blue.]]

[[File:LTFCattendancespostwar2017.png|thumb|Luton Town's average home league attendances at Kenilworth Road from [[1946–47 Football League|1946–47]] to [[2016–17 English Football League|2016–17]]. Attendances rose with Luton's promotion in 1955 before plummeting during the early 1960s as the club suffered three relegations. Spectators returned with the promotions of the late 1960s and mid 1970s, before seeing a decline with the introduction of an [[all-seater stadium]] in 1986.|alt=See accompanying text]]

Luton Town's first ground was at [[Dallow Lane]], the former ground of Excelsior.<ref name=Hayes55/> The ground was next to the [[Dunstable Branch Lines|Dunstable to Luton railway line]], and players regularly claimed to have trouble seeing the ball because of smoke from the trains.<ref name=Hayes43/> A damaging financial loss during [[1896–97 in English football|1896–97]] forced Luton to sell the stadium to stay afloat and, as a result, the club moved across the tracks to a stadium between the railway and Dunstable Road.<ref name=Hayes43/> The [[Dunstable Road]] ground was opened by [[Herbrand Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford]], who also donated £50 towards the £800 building costs.<ref name=Hayes43/> When the site was sold for housing in 1905, the club was forced to move again at short notice,<ref name=Hayes43/> to its present [[Kenilworth Road]] site, in time for the start of the [[1905–06 in English football|1905–06 season]].<ref name=TLTS3/><ref name=Hayes43/>

The stadium has an all-seater capacity of 11,600<ref>{{cite web |title=Safe standing installation complete in the Oak |url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2024/march/safe-standing-update/ |website=lutontown.co.uk |publisher=Luton Town Football Club |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> and is situated in the [[Bury Park]] area of [[Luton]]. It was named after the road that runs along one end of it, although the official address of the club is 1 Maple Road. Opposite the eponymous Kenilworth Stand is the Oak Road End, which has evolved from a stand first used exclusively by Luton supporters, then later by away supporters, and now used by both except in times of high ticket demand from away clubs. The Main Stand is flanked by the [[David Preece (footballer, born 1963)|David Preece]] Stand, and opposite them stands a row of executive boxes. These boxes replaced the Bobbers Stand in 1986, as the club sought to maximise income.<ref name=KenilworthStadium>{{cite web |title=Kenilworth Stadium |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/KenilworthStadium/0,,10372,00.html |publisher=Luton Town F.C. |date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319064227/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/KenilworthStadium/0%2C%2C10372%2C00.html |archive-date=19 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The original Main Stand burnt down in 1921, and was replaced by the current stand before the [[1922–23 in English football|1922–23 season]]. The ground underwent extensive redevelopment during the 1930s, and the capacity by the start of the [[World War II|Second World War]] was 30,000. [[Floodlights (sport)|Floodlights]] were installed before the [[1953–54 in English football|1953–54 season]], but it was 20 years before any further modernisation was carried out. In 1973 the Bobbers Stand became all-seated, and in 1985 the grass pitch was replaced with an [[Artificial turf|artificial playing surface]]; it quickly became unpopular and was derided as "the plastic pitch".<ref name=TLTS27/><ref name=KenilworthStadium/><ref>{{cite news |first=Sean |last=McGuire |title=Unlucky Luton, a reminder of football's forgotten days |url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/liverpool-football/2009/04/17/sean-mcguire-unlucky-luton-a-reminder-of-football-s-forgotten-days-92534-23405017/ |newspaper=Liverpool Daily Post |date=17 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325002307/http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/liverpool-football/2009/04/17/sean-mcguire-unlucky-luton-a-reminder-of-football-s-forgotten-days-92534-23405017/ |archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Graham |last=Lawton |title=Pitch battle over artificial grass |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18625021-300-pitch-battle-over-artificial-grass/ |journal=New Scientist |issue=2502 |page=35 |date=1 June 2005 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220214846/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18625021-300-pitch-battle-over-artificial-grass/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A [[1985 Kenilworth Road riot|serious incident involving hooliganism]] before, during and after a match against [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] in 1985 led to the club's then chairman, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[David Evans (MP for Welwyn Hatfield)|David Evans]], introducing a scheme effective from the start of [[1986–87 Luton Town F.C. season|1986–87]] supposedly banning all visiting supporters from the ground, and requiring home fans to carry membership cards when attending matches.<ref>{{cite news |first=Christopher |last=Davies |title=Millwall hopes to leave dark history behind in F.A. Cup final |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/05/21/sports/millwall-hopes-to-leave-dark-history-behind-in-f-a-cup-final/#.WFB3H_mLSM8 |newspaper=The Japan Times |date=21 May 2004 |access-date=26 March 2008 |archive-date=11 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411045944/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/05/21/sports/millwall-hopes-to-leave-dark-history-behind-in-f-a-cup-final/#.WFB3H_mLSM8 |url-status=live }}</ref> Conversion to an all-seater ground also began in 1986.<ref name=KenilworthStadium/> Away fans returned for [[1990–91 Luton Town F.C. season|1990–91]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Luton may end its ban on supporters |journal=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |date=24 May 1990}}</ref> and grass a year later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uefa approves artificial pitches |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4000885.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 November 2004 |access-date=26 March 2008}}</ref> The David Preece Stand was erected in 1991, and the conversion of the Kenilworth Stand to an all-seater was completed in 2005.<ref name=KenilworthStadium/>

===New stadium===
The club first expressed an interest in building a new stadium away from Kenilworth Road in 1955, the year it won promotion to the First Division for the first time. Even then the ground was small compared to those of most First and Second Division clubs, and its location made significant redevelopment difficult. The team has since made several attempts to relocate.<ref name=TLTS70/> Leaving Luton for the nearby new town of [[Milton Keynes]] was unsuccessfully [[Relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes#Luton Town—"MK Hatters" (1980s)|proposed]] several times, most notably in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Rose |title=Luton Town 1 MK Dons 0 |url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1623&Itemid=29 |journal=When Saturday Comes |date=20 June 2005 |access-date=11 April 2009 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903161415/http://www.wsc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1623&Itemid=29 |url-status=live }}</ref> The club sold Kenilworth Road to Luton Council in 1989, and has since leased it.<ref name="Luton Town FC in talks to buy back Kenilworth Road"/> A planning application for a new 20,000-seater indoor stadium, the "Kohlerdome" proposed by chairman [[David Kohler (developer)|David Kohler]] in 1995, was turned down by the [[Secretary of State (United Kingdom)|Secretary of State]] in 1998, and Kohler left soon after.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Mihir |last=Bose |title=Luton chairman ready for a stretch inside |journal=The Sunday Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |page=22 |date=23 October 1994}}; {{cite journal |title=Lawrence counts cost of progress |journal=The Sunday Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |page=5 (Sport) |date=29 November 1998}}; {{cite journal |title=Luton's proposed stadium blocked |journal=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |page=49 |date=23 February 1999}}</ref>

In 2007, the club's then-owners proposed a controversial plan to relocate to a site near Junction 12 of the [[M1 motorway (England)|M1 motorway]], near [[Harlington, Bedfordshire|Harlington]] and [[Toddington, Bedfordshire|Toddington]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Luton stadium dream moves closer |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/6366125.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219053759/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/6366125.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> A planning application was made on the club's behalf by former chairman Cliff Bassett, but the application was withdrawn almost immediately following the club's takeover in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first=Keeley |last=Knowles |title=J12 stadium plans run into problems |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/j12-stadium-plans-run-problems/story-22982387-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |date=30 March 2008 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=30 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830224444/http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/j12-stadium-plans-run-problems/story-22982387-detail/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Junction 12 application withdrawn |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10372~1381299,00.html |publisher=Luton Town F.C. |date=1 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416034459/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/Stadium/0%2C%2C10372~1381299%2C00.html |archive-date=16 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, the club began an independent feasibility study to determine a viable location to move to.<ref>{{cite news |title=Luton stadium plan 'unaffordable' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/7905615.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 February 2009 |access-date=11 May 2009 |archive-date=28 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228081416/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/7905615.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter 9 – Action Areas |url=http://www2.luton.gov.uk/localplan/written/cpt9.htm |publisher=Luton Borough Council |access-date=11 May 2009 |archive-date=3 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003235730/http://www2.luton.gov.uk/localplan/written/cpt9.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club did not rule out redeveloping Kenilworth Road and, in October 2012, entered talks to buy the stadium back from Luton Borough Council.<ref name="Luton Town FC in talks to buy back Kenilworth Road">{{cite news |title=Luton Town FC in talks to buy back Kenilworth Road |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-19784485 |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=5 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005081703/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-19784485 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2015, these plans had been dropped in favour of a move to a new location, with managing director Gary Sweet confirming that the club was in a position to "buy land, secure the best possible professional advice&nbsp;... and to see the [planning] application process through to the receipt of consent."<ref>{{cite news |title=Hatters' new stadium location to be revealed soon |url=http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/hatters-new-stadium-location-to-be-revealed-soon-1-6697826 |newspaper=Luton Today |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220142757/http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/hatters-new-stadium-location-to-be-revealed-soon-1-6697826 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2016, the club announced its intention to build and move into a 17,500-capacity stadium on the Power Court site in central Luton.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nathan Jones: Luton Town's new stadium at Power Court 'not just generic' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36112095 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2016 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=25 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425123258/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36112095 |url-status=live }}</ref> Outline planning permission for this ground, with potential to expand to 23,000 seats, was granted by Luton Borough Council on 16 January 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Power Court: Luton Town football stadium gains planning permission |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-46898086 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2019 |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-date=17 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117071457/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-46898086 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2021, the club announced that it intended to make a number of changes to the initial scheme to reflect changes caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in England|COVID-19 pandemic]], but that the capacity of the new stadium was still to be 23,000 and had a target opening date of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Power Court and Newlands Park update|url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2021/march/power-court/|access-date=2021-06-26|website=www.lutontown.co.uk|language=en-gb|archive-date=28 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128202405/https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2021/march/power-court/|url-status=live}}</ref> This plan was revised in 2023, to delivering the first phase, a 19,500-seat stadium, by 2026, followed by the second, a further 4,000 safe standing seats, at a later date.<ref>{{cite news|title=Luton Town unveil images of proposed 19,500-capacity stadium ahead of Championship play-off final|url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-05-26/club-unveils-images-of-proposed-new-stadium-on-eve-of-wembley-final|work=ITV News|date=26 May 2023|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528085339/https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-05-26/club-unveils-images-of-proposed-new-stadium-on-eve-of-wembley-final|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Luton Town: Club reveals new stadium pictures and plans|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-65718990.amp|work=BBC News|date=26 May 2023|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=27 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527210516/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-65718990.amp|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2024, the club submitted revised plans to the Luton Borough Council for a 25,000 stadium with a planned opening date of 2027.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/en/news/detailed-planning-application-for-power-court-submitted|title=Detailed planning application for Power Court submitted|website=www.lutontown.co.uk|date=13 September 2024|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plans go in for new Luton Town stadium |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/plans-go-in-for-new-luton-town-stadium |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=The Construction Index |date=18 September 2024}}</ref> The council approved the plans in January 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flatman |first1=Ben |title=Green light for new Luton Town football stadium |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/green-light-for-new-luton-town-football-stadium/5133589.article |access-date=3 January 2025 |work=Building |date=3 January 2025}}</ref> In April 2025, Turkish contractor [[Limak Holding|Limak International]] was appointed to build the new stadium with construction starting in summer 2025 and the stadium now set to hold its first competitive game at the start of the 2028–29 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prior |first1=Grant |title=Turkish contractor Limak to build new Luton Town stadium |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/04/30/turkish-contractor-limak-to-build-new-luton-town-stadium/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=30 April 2025}}</ref>