BLACKWELL & HIS STAFF SACKED - HATTERS LEGEND MICK HARFORD IS NEW MANAGER!

Luton Town boss Kevin Blackwell has been relieved of his managerial duties by the administrators running the club.

Assistant manager Sam Ellis and head coach John Carver have also been shown the door.

A statement from the administrators said: "After careful consideration Brendan Guilfoyle, joint administrator of Luton Town Football Club, has this morning Wednesday 16 January 2008, with immediate effect terminated the contracts of Kevin Blackwell, the manager of Luton Town Football Club, Sam Ellis, assistant manager, and John Carver, coach."

And Guilfoyle has moved quickly to replace Blackwell as manager by appointing Luton Town legend Mick Harford as the new Hatters boss until the end of the season!

Harford is joined at Kenilworth Road by former Queen's Park Rangers and Portsmouth defender Warren Neill, who becomes assistant manager to Harford. The pair worked together at Loftus Road when Harford was caretaker boss of QPR earlier this season. Neill was his caretaker assistant.

Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle said of the appointments of 48-year-old Harford and 45-year-old Neill: "I look forward to working with Mick and Warren. I believe that their appointment is another positive development for the football club and will be welcomed by Luton Town Football Club 2020 Limited and the fans."

The search for a new Hatters manager began on Friday when Kevin Blackwell handed in his notice, administrator Brendan Guilfoyle has revealed.

Speaking as he announced that Hatters legend Mick Harford had been appointed Luton Town's new chief, Mr Guilfoyle said Blackwell's decision had set the wheels in motion for the 48-year-old to return to the club.

Blackwell had stated he would be prepared to work until the home game with Bournemouth on February 9, but Mr Guilfoyle decided a new man should be put at the helm sooner rather than later.

And the administrator said Harford's appointment had been made following consultation with preferred bidder Luton Town Football Club 2020 Ltd, agency WGM, and senior staff at Kenilworth Road.

Speaking on his return to Luton Town, Mick Harford said, "It is absolutely great to be back. This is my home club. I have got a lot of affection for the club, for the fans, for the area, for the players and for the staff. There is a lot of sentiment involved, but I am here to do a job and I am looking forward to the challenge. It is going to be a difficult challenge, but I feel I am ready for the job.

"I have brought in Warren Neill, he played at QPR and Portsmouth. He brings with him a lot of experience and coaching. He has been at QPR looking after their youth team for five years. When I was Caretaker Manager at QPR, Warren was my Caretaker Assistant Manager. We have a good relationship and he is a fantastic coach. He knows what it takes to win football matches.

"I don't care what people say, Kenilworth Road is still a great stadium and I am glad it hasn't changed. There was a shiver down my spine when I walked into the Club. It is great to be back and it is a great place to be."

You can listen to what Mick Harford had to say about becoming new manager to BBC Three Counties' Radio by clicking HERE.

You can listen to what former manager Kevin Blackwell had to say about the news to BBC Three Counties' Radio by clicking HERE.

Finally, you can listen to what administrator Brendan Guilfoyle had to say about his decision to BBC Three Counties' Radio by clicking HERE.

Source: Lutontoday.co.uk
Story date: Thursday, January 17, 2008